Your scar could be from operations, acne, c-section, accidents, burns, injection sites, something else…. if you have a scar that bothers you, read on as we may be able to help each other!
How do you feel about your scar?
If you have a visible scar, you may not like the look and feel of it and you may have other feelings and thoughts about it, but have you ever considered how your scar may be affecting you in other ways?
Yesterday, I did the McLoughlin Scar Tissue Release course, which was absolutely fascinating. I’d been pondering on whether I wanted to do a scar tissue treatment course for a while and now I am really glad I did. Scars are incredible, their functional purpose is to protect the body by covering and sealing wounds. They also aim to prevent the area from further injury by strengthening the tissue around the wound.
Scars can however become problematic when the healing process has been disrupted. I kind of wish I’d listened to the adults that told me not to pick my scabs when I was a kid, maybe I wouldn’t have so many scars!
How do scars become problematic?
In short, when you damage your tissue, eg cut yourself, as you know, your body works very efficiently to seal up this gap and within time, new tissue is formed and most of the time you forget you cut yourself there.
Collagen plays a key role in scar tissue formation, too much or too little not only affects the appearance of the scar but also how the tissue functions. I am fascinated by the way the body heals itself; it is extremely clever.
The healing process has several stages, however if one or more of these stages is interrupted, you end up with more scar tissue than required and/or poorly laid tissue, both of which can cause issues.
What kind of issues
1. An obvious issue that can arise from a large amount of scar tissue is restricted movement.
Eg when you cut yourself and the skin scabs over, you may notice that the skin around it puckers as you move and causes discomfort. Imagine this is permanent and your skin pulls every time you move. Because it’s painful to stretch out your arm, you restrict your stretch, thereby limiting your movement as a result.
Scar tissue can build up in joints and muscles and they not only restrict movement, but can also impinge nerves, resulting in nerve pain, weakness and /or poor movement.
2. Swelling around the site of the scar
You may notice swelling or puffiness around the site of the scar due to lymph and blood flow being blocked. Scar tissue forms on all damaged tissue, so if you have a deep cut or your were surgically cut, all layers of the tissue that has been *damaged* will have some form of scarring.
River bed - block off one side with rocks and the water pools before shifting to an alternative route.
Scar tissue disrupts the natural flow of the blood and lymph. Imagine water trickling through a river bed, if you block off one side, the water gathers until it is full enough to push it in another direction. This is what happens with fluid in your body. Pathways become blocked, so fluid pools. Areas that require the fluid are no longer receiving it become rigid and hard.
Blocked pathways can have further implications. Eg an issue with digestion could actually be a result of scar tissue across the lower abdomen from a C-Section.
Aside from these physical effects, scars can also have emotional and psychological attachments too for some people.
The MSTR course
I chose this particular course because it had been recommended by fellow EMMETT Practitioners. Those of you who have experienced EMMETT will know that EMMETT is very light touch and at times feels like nothing is happening. MSTR is very similar. It involves very light touches around and on the scar and the touch elicits the relaxation response (as in EMMETT) for the scar tissue to relax.
You must remember that when therapists like myself work on you, we are affecting all the soft tissue in your body and not just your muscles. With scar treatments, we work on the scar to affect the scar tissue itself; to help it settle and relax, thereby creating space in areas that may have become restricted and blocked.
Research has shown how MSTR has reduced the size and length of scars, it has also shown (in ultrasound) the affect it has had on the surrounding tissue and blood flow. It’s incredible how such light touch on the surface can have such great impact at deeper levels. By reducing the size of the scar, the less blockages there are. As bodily fluids are able to flow naturally, the less discomfort you feel and you’ll move more easily. The healing process can also complete.
As a soft tissue therapist, I’ve always recommended that you obtain soft tissue therapy when healing from an injury eg a torn hamstring or a twisted ankle. This is so healing can take place more efficiently – better alignment of tissue and increased blood flow. However, I appreciate not everyone is able to obtain soft tissue therapy as part of their recovery regime, so is it too late once the scar has formed and you’ve had it for years?
So what about scars that you’ve had for a long time?
It's never to late!
Scar treatments can be carried out years after the initial scar formation. Eg if you had surgery 20 years ago and the scar was still causing your problems today, the scar can be treated with positive outcomes.
If your injury or condition continues to cause inflammation months or years after the incident, your body reacts by continuing to produce collagen i.e. more scar tissue. If the scar becomes very problematic further surgery to remove the scar tissue becomes necessary and hearin lies the problem….. the disruption to healing process continues, it never completes..
Do you have a scar that you feel is holding you back – physically or emotionally or both?
As part of my coursework, I am seeking 3 people who have visible scars that you feel unhappy with.
As a case study, I would need to interview you to ensure you meet the criteria. Should you meet the criteria, I would need to treat you at least 3 times. This would take place in my treatment room in Worcester Park. As a case study I would need to take pictures and notes regarding your scar and treatment. Your treatment will be free but forms submitted coursework.
If you would like to be considered as a case study, please email me sabrina@sqactive.com with a brief outline on the scar you have and the issues you have with it.
I am Sabrina Qua - Soft Tissue Therapist, Movement Coach and Personal Trainer based in Worcester Park, Epsom, who helps people resolve or significantly reduce their muscular aches and pains through an integrative approach, so they can live active, enjoyable lives. More tips and information available in my Facebook group Reduce Pain and Move Better.
If you would like help reducing pain book your complimentary exploratory call now.