Scar tissue Release
Sports Massage & Soft Tissue Therapy, Auckland
Over the last few years I have been treating scars, from operations to accident scars. Iv'e found scars are often the missing link when working with tricky cases of ongoing pain or lack of mobility and more research is being done to support this theory.
Sarah 47 - Had 2 C- sections and chronic lower back pain. After a couple of treatments on her lower back we started working on the front of the hips and C-section scar. There was referral pain in the scar to the pain in her back.
John 21, operation on his knee after a ski accident. Coming in for sports massages and we worked on his scar on his knee. After the treatment his knee felt looser and he wasn't aware of restriction in his warm ups anymore.
Dan 34 - Had a back operation 5 years ago before I started working on the scar tissue which greatly improvement his mobility in the morning.
I personally see a dramatic improvement in my clients when releasing and working on previous scar tissue alongside my advance soft tissue techniques. (previous clients above but all names changed)
John Barnes a myofascial release expert says "A scar is the tip of fascial iceberg". Even a small scar on the surface can be connected to a deep fascial restrictions and adhesions.
What is scar tissue?
Collagen based tissue that develops as a result of the inflammatory process following an injury.
The inflammatory process and the production of the scar tissue are necessary for healing damaged tissue - skin, muscle, tendons, ligaments, fascia or nerves. When the collagen matures it is referred to as scar tissue.
Why treat Scar tissue during your sports massage treatment?
To decrease pain: Experience of treating many C- Section scar which can be related to SI joint and back pain. I’ve found working on keyhole surgery scars has helped in many cases of knee and shoulder pain.
To improve range of motion at a joint: Adhesions around a joint can reduce range of motion which can lead to shortening of muscle and connective tissue.
Improved appearance: Scar becomes lighter in colour, less raised and could blend more in appearance with surrounding tissue.
I personally got some work done on a scar and could clearly see improved in appearance. The reason for the treatment was due to tightness in my right hip when running, since the release work, I have no awareness of my right hip tightness.
There are different techniques of scar release but I mostly use fascial release techniques. The goal is to mobilise the tissue of the scar, which could be inhibiting other surrounding tissue.
Of course the scar may not be the reason for lack of mobility or your injury but I feel that scars are deep rooted that do need more attention.
Further finding of releasing scar....
CLINICAL IMPORTANCE OF ACTIVE SCARS: ABNORMAL SCARS AS A CAUSE OF MYOFASCIAL PAIN
Karel Lewit, MD,a and Sarka Olsanskab
ABSTRACT
Background: Active scars are a model of soft tissue lesions. Soft tissues surround the locomotor system everywhere. These tissues shift and stretch in harmony with joints and muscles. Active scars interfere with this type of movement, thus disturbing the function of the entire motor system.
Objective: The purpose of this article is to show the importance of such scars, their diagnosis, and the importannce of manipulative therapy.
Methods: After discussing the diagnosis, 51 cases are presented, the majority being scars after operation. The patients suffered from various types of myofascial pain from all sections of the locomotor system. The type of operation and the clinical symptoms are given. The method of treatment is soft tissue manipulation, making use mainly of the barrier phenomeneon.
Results: In 36 of the cases, treatment of scars proved highly relevant, giving striking results at first treatment and in the course of therapy. In 13 further cases, the scar was partly relevant, ie, one of several pathogenic lesions. It proved irrelevant in 3 cases. Conclusion: The treatment of active scars can be of importance in a great number of cases; untreated, active scars are an important cause of therapeutic failure. Treatment also widens the scope of manipulative therapy. (J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2004;27:399-402)
Key Indexing Terms: Myofascial Pain; Soft Tissue; Chiropractic Manipulation
https://lookaside.fbsbx.com/file/Clinical%20imprtance%20of%20active%20scars.pdf?token=AWywR9DIg83O9xWYRDit_RWZt6YBtWffzVv0Etg3Fl8Ts554d4DjGn7Q2iZr8G8Pr1vowjYjPR36r7uQwImixdqM1ZBgabpWkHQk4QJo8PUyd4kiL1qXgjO5YST7umoX64PuOKZ22TPwxdd3m5o9xWoy
For further information or to make an appointment
Tracy Booth - Sports Therapist
Sports massage & soft tissue therapy
www.boothsportstherapy.com
booth.stt@gmail.com