Supporting Your Recovery with Gentle, Effective Care

Most of of us have a scar of some sort whether it be a badge of honour from an adventurous childhood or something else.

Scars might be from something accidental, from something planned, from something traumatic. A scar might be from someone else, or given to yourself. From something life threatening, or life saving.

At Myomasters Massage, I understand that recovery from surgery isn’t just about healing wounds—it’s also about preserving your mobility, comfort, and quality of life. Scar tissue formation is a natural part of the healing process – your body is so clever to form scars in bringing back together tissues that were damaged and hurt. But sometimes scars can be life impacting restricting movement and causing unexplained pain. Some people wear their scars with pride but that might not be you.

That’s why I specialise in Gentle Scar Therapy, an informed, compassionate, evidence-based approach to managing scar tissue. I have experience working on scars from:

• Emergency surgeries
• C-Section
• Joint reconstruction and replacement
• Radical Masetectomy
• Self Harm

I cannot work on an episiotomy scar – if you have had an episiotomy and the scar is hard, tight and causing discomfort, please contact a physiotherapist who specialises in pelvic floor and women’s health.

How Does Scar Tissue Form?

Scars develop as your body works to repair damaged tissues, a process that continues beneath the surface at a cellular level for up to two years after an injury or surgery. As scar tissue forms, it can sometimes adhere to surrounding tissues, creating bands known as adhesions. These adhesions can restrict your skin and internal tissues, limiting movement and causing discomfort.

Age and skin type can significantly impact the healing process and scar formation. Typically, scars that take longer to heal can become thicker and tighter. Regular, gentle massage of the scar area can significantly improve tissue flexibility, reduce tightness, and enhance the appearance of the scar.

The Four Stages of Healing

Understanding the healing process can help you appreciate the benefits of Gentle Scar Therapy:

1. Clotting: Immediate blood clotting occurs to stop bleeding.
2. Inflammation : Your body forms a scab and clears away any crud.
3. Rebuilding: Rebuilding of tissue occurs, and this is the ideal time to begin scar massage therapy. Newly formed scar tissue can feel itchy, sensitive, numb, tingly, or even painful, and it may appear red.
4. Maturation Stage: The scar tissue strengthens and matures over time, a process that can continue for more than a year. Although your scar is mature when your body stops producing any new scar tissue.

Why Choose Gentle Scar Therapy?

• Minimises Excessive Scarring: Soft-touch methods prevent unnecessary stress on healing tissues, significantly reducing the risk of hypertrophic scars and keloids.
• Prevents Adhesions and Fibrosis: Gentle massage reduces the formation of restrictive adhesions and thickened tissues, improving flexibility and comfort.
• Enhances Mobility: By carefully managing scar tissue, GST restores your range of motion and reduces discomfort.

What is Gentle Scar Therapy?

Old thinking for scar therapy uses the words “breaking up” scar tissue. Scaring cannot be broken up.

However, scars can be remodelled. Gentle Scar Therapy uses light-touch techniques designed to encourage your body to transform the scar from something that might be hard and raised, to something that is softer and more flexible without triggering additional inflammation or scar tissue. Unlike deep tissue massage, which can sometimes intensify scar formation, our gentle method promotes healing by softly manipulating the affected area. This minimises complications such as hypertrophic scars, keloids, fibrosis, and adhesions, supporting better mobility and with less discomfort. Over time, the scar can be expected to become less obvious (blend in) and more flexible.

Why Choose Gentle Scar Therapy?

• Reduces Risk of Excessive Scarring: Light-touch methods significantly lower the risk of developing hypertrophic scars and keloids by avoiding unnecessary mechanical stress on healing tissue.
• Prevents Fibrosis and Adhesions: Gentle techniques reduce the risk of fibrosis (thickening of connective tissue) and the formation of adhesions (scar tissue bands), which can limit movement and cause pain.
• Improves Mobility and Comfort: By carefully addressing scar tissue with gentle, precise movements, GST helps restore your range of motion and enhance overall comfort.

When Should You Begin Gentle Scar Therapy?

A scar can receive work even if it is very old and still have great benefit. The optimal time to start Gentle Scar Therapy is approximately eight weeks after wound healing is complete.

Evidence-Based Care

Our approach is grounded in scientific research:

• Studies show aggressive manipulation of scars can lead to increased inflammation and scarring (Akaishi et al., 2008).
• Gentle manipulation is recommended to avoid complications such as fibrosis and adhesions (Lowe, 2009; Lauder et al., 2010).
• Properly managed scar therapy significantly improves long-term outcomes and mobility (Fourie, 2012).

Your Treatment Journey at Myomasters Massage

Initial Consultation: We assess your individual needs, scar type, and recovery progress to create a personalised treatment plan.

Gentle Techniques: Sessions involve precise, gentle manipulations to support tissue healing without triggering further inflammation.

Progress Monitoring: We continually adapt our approach based on your response to therapy, ensuring optimal outcomes.

Client Education: We empower you with knowledge about your scar recovery process, so you’re actively involved in your healing journey.

Book Your Gentle Scar Therapy Session

Ready to take the next step towards effective scar management and improved quality of life? Myomasters Massage is here to help you gently recover and regain your mobility and comfort.

Book Your Appointment Now

References:

• Akaishi S, Ogawa R, Hyakusoku H (2008). Keloid and Hypertrophic Scar: neurogenic inflammation hypothesis. Medical Hypotheses, 71:32-8.
• Gauglitz GG, Korting HC, Pavicic T, et al. (2011). Hypertrophic scarring and keloids: pathomechanisms and treatment strategies. Molecular Medicine, 17(1-2):113-25.
• Lowe JC (2009). Factors that induce fibrosis of fascial tissues. drlowe.com
• Fourie W (2012). Surgery and Scarring. In Schleip R et al. (eds.), Fascia: The Tensional Network of the Human Body (pp. 411-420). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.
• Lauder CI, Garcea G, Strickland A, Maddern GJ (2010). Abdominal adhesion prevention: Still a sticky subject? Digestive Surgery, 27:347–358.