Scars and Burns: Enhancing Recovery with Scar Massage
A scar is the result of the body’s natural attempt to heal lost or damaged skin. Scars develop for a variety of reasons, but some of the most common include burns, surgeries or injuries. Scars can heal and affect different people in different ways, depending on many factors, including the type and severity of the injury, the person’s age, their skin type, and the quality of care they received for their injury and their rehabilitation.
In some people, scars can feel painful, tight or itchy for months or even years after forming, which can be aggravating and limiting for people long after the original injury has healed.
So what can be done? Well, the good news is that once wound care is no longer the primary focus, the rehabilitation of the injury and the scar can begin. This rehabilitation may include physical therapy, exercise therapy, massage therapy and more, depending on the injury and your doctor’s advice.
Why Consider Massage Therapy?
Research is showing that Massage therapy can make a big impact on scar rehabilitation. Benefits of scar massage can include:
Improved skin appearance and scar characteristics
Improved tissue mobility
Improved range of motion
Reduction in scar formation
Decreases in associated scar pain
Decreased pruritus (the medical term for itching, or the feeling of wanting to scratch your skin)
General recovery benefits due to massage increasing blood flow, softening tissues, releasing scar tissue and improving lymph drainage in the scarred area
Psychological benefits including reducing stress and anxiety about the injury/scar(s)
What does Scar Massage feel like?
Massage therapists may use a variety of massage techniques while performing scar massage. My process involves a thorough health intake and conversation with the client so that I have an understanding of the injury, the client’s intentions and expectations, and any medical precautions that should be taken.
I only work in areas and using techniques clients are comfortable with, and I rely on client communication throughout the session to ensure I am working in their comfort zone. I prefer to start slowly, palpating the area, checking for any redness or tenderness, and assessing the scar and surrounding tissues. I find this builds client confidence and for clients that are new to scar massage, it helps build the understanding that the focus area can take touch, movement and manipulation without being painful.
After assessing the area and checking in with the client, I utilize myofascial techniques for scar release, attempting to mobilize the tissues and to restore more normal “slide and glide,” all in an effort to get the scar tissue “unstuck” from the underlying tissues. Depending on the client and the nature of the scar, other massage techniques may be appropriate.
Typically, I end the massage of the scar with a moisturizing cream or oil to hydrate and soothe the skin. Swedish massage techniques in this area aim to increase blood flow and circulation to the tissues and calm the nervous system. While I do perform focused scar massage sessions, typically I prefer to incorporate scar work with a more integrative massage. Oftentimes scars occur as a small part of a larger injury and there are muscle imbalances that could also be addressed. Or the injury has added pain and/or stress to the client’s life, and general massage can help to reduce both pain and stress, facilitating healing.
What types of scars can benefit from Massage Therapy?
It can take 6-18 months for scars to fully heal. Depending on the injury, scar massage may be beneficial as soon as 2-3 weeks after an injury or surgery. Signs that you may be ready for scar massage include: any scabs have fallen off and your stitches have been removed. It is always best to receive medical clearance from your healthcare provider before beginning scar massage.
For best results, the sooner you begin your scar rehabilitation after receiving medical clearance, the better (especially when it comes to impacting scar appearance). However, improvements in scar sensitivity and mobility can be experienced even years or decades after an injury.
Scar massage can be beneficial for:
Burn Victims
Post-operative patients (common examples include: joint replacements, cesarean sections or other abdominal surgeries, broken bone repair, etc…)
Post-operative plastic surgery patients (common examples include: mastectomies, reconstructive surgeries, top surgery, etc…)
Sports or accident related injuries/scarring
And more…
Talk to Your Healthcare Provider
It is always important to check with your healthcare provider to ensure that your scar is properly healed before beginning scar tissue massage. Massaging a scar that is not fully healed can damage the developing scar tissue, which can delay healing. In addition, massaging an unhealed scar may open it and lead to bacteria and infection in your body, something that could lead to serious complications.
Is it safe to massage your own scars?
If clients are comfortable, I always advocate for self-massage. While there is no substitute for a trained professional, consistency can achieve even greater results. Self-massage techniques can be used between massage sessions, and can allow clients to take a powerful role in their own healing and recovery journey. Working with your own scars may be intimidating at first, but self-massage can be an amazing tool for building confidence—you are able to feel (and modify) to your own comfort level, and work as slowly or as fast as you desire.
How to Massage a Scar at Home:
Use a water-based cream or plant oil. (In my opinion, the less ingredients the better). I love using Hoba Care Jojoba oil or coconut oil, but if you’ve performed a skin test in another area and feel comfortable using another product, use whatever you are comfortable with.
Using the pads of your fingertips, massage the scar and surrounding skin in all directions.
Massage up and down, side to side, and in circular motions.
Begin with light pressure then gradually press deeper into the surrounding tissues.
Pay close attention to your pain. Mild tenderness is normal, but massage should never be painful!
Your healthcare provider may have specific directions for how often you should massage the scar and how long each massage session should last.
How to find a massage therapist to perform scar massage:
Massage over healed scars is not harmful and can still be beneficial, even if your therapist isn’t specifically trained in scar massage. BUT, if you are looking for scar massage specifically, it’s helpful to search for a massage therapist who specializes in or has experience and training in scar massage.
Questions to ask when searching for a therapist or when booking your massage:
Are you trained in scar massage? (Trainings vary. For example, I am trained in massaging Scars & Burns and in Post-Operative Care. But regardless of the specific name of the training, I suggest you seek a therapist who has had additional training in scar massage and is comfortable talking to you about their techniques and training.)
What kind of experience do you have in scar massage? (Finding an experienced therapist who is comfortable working with scars, and especially one who feels comfortable working with the type of scars YOU have is important. For example, I’ve worked with clients who have scarring from C-Sections and Mastectomies, which means I’m very comfortable draping and working on the chest and abdomen. This helps my clients can feel more comfortable when I’m massaging these vulnerable and sensitive areas. I also work with clients who have post-operative scarring, including from joint replacements. This is important because artificial joints don’t move in the same way our body’s original joints move, and this needs to be considered when moving and positioning the client.)
Are you covered by insurance? (Increasingly, insurance companies are recognizing the benefits of massage therapy. With a prescription for massage from your doctor or surgeon, some insurance carriers WILL cover massage. Using HSA (Health Savings Account) funds for massage therapy may also be an option. While I don’t bill insurance directly in my practice, I do offer invoicing which allows for insurance reimbursement and HSA fund use if you are covered. Some massage therapists are able to bill insurance companies directly. It’s important to know ahead of time how you intend to pay for your treatment, because the cost savings can be huge if you are able to take advantage of insurance coverage or utilize HSA funds.)
For more info on Scar Massage:
It is normal and understandable to have questions about scar massage or another treatment you have never experienced before. This is especially common after something like a traumatic or painful injury/surgery. Please feel free to reach out with questions or to find out more about whether or not scar massage may be a good fit for you.
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