What’s lurking below the surface of a scar & how osteopathy can help…

Did you know that a scar from an old injury or surgery can impact more than just your appearance for many years to come? Perhaps it feels tight, causes discomfort, or limits your movement in ways you didn’t expect. Sometimes the scar area feels just fine and we are unaware of the issues going on under the surface. Scars are more than just surface-level reminders of past injuries; they can affect your body’s overall function and well-being, and can have an influence on areas that seem quite distant to the location of the scar. Most people believe that when they see the surface of the scar has healed, the process is complete. However, for many months after this, the body is hard at work healing and remodelling the tissues underneath. Understanding how to effectively support and manage scars can make a significant difference in how you feel, your health and how you function in life. 

Scarring that occurs in the abdomen, chest or pelvis is called adhesions.

Adhesions occur in over 90% of patients directly following abdominal surgery and 55-100% of people after pelvic surgery. 

Studies have show adhesions also form after inflating the abdomen with CO2 gas.

Therefore, it’s highly likely that someone having abdominal or pelvic surgery, even so a called ‘non invasive’ laparoscopy, will likely develop adhesions within the abdominal cavity.  These adhesions can restrict movement and affect functions of the organs in the area.

Unfortunately, women who have pelvic surgery for endometriosis often experience an increase in scarring and pain and can undergo further surgeries (that cause more scarring) to remove said scarring. It can be a perpetual cycle that is set up.

Understanding Scars and Their Impact

The skin, our body’s largest organ, consists of three primary layers: the epidermis (the outer layer), the dermis (the middle layer), and the hypodermis (the deepest layer). When a scar forms, it can affect these layers and potentially extend into deeper tissues such as fascia, muscle, and even organs. 

Scarring can create adhesions or bands of rigid tissue within the fascia, which can restrict the normal gliding and movement of fascial layers. These restrictions can impede the free movement of muscles and other structures, leading to reduced range of motion and increased stiffness. For instance, a scar on the abdomen from surgery can limit the mobility of the abdominal fascia, affecting your ability to twist or bend comfortably, and potentially pulling your posture forward as the body compensates to take pressure off the scarred tissue. 

When fascial restrictions occur due to scar tissue, they can cause compensatory changes in movement patterns. The body often adapts to these restrictions by altering how it moves, which can lead to abnormal stress on other parts of the body. This compensatory behavior can result in pain and dysfunction in areas far from the original scar. For example, a scar on the shoulder can affect your posture and lead to tension and discomfort in the neck and back.

Lifestyle Factors Influencing Scar Healing:

• Health Conditions: Conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disease, and poor circulation can impair scar healing.
• Nutrition: Good nutrition supports overall healing, while inflammatory foods can slow the process down. Your body needs the right building blocks to properly heal a scar, and we get many of these through proper nutrition. 
• Smoking: Smoking increases inflammation throughout the body and can hinder blood flow, impairing scar recovery.
• Skin Quality: The overall quality and blood supply of the skin affect scar formation and healing.

Home Management Strategies:

• Lubrication: Regularly apply oils like castor oil or vitamin E to keep the scar tissue soft and flexible. This helps prevent dryness and tightness while improving skin hydration.
• Self Massage: Self massage can help break down adhesions and promote tissue flexibility. This helps the scar blend better with surrounding skin, easing discomfort and improving movement.
• Heat: Apply moist heat packs to the scar to increase flexibility and blood flow. This is especially helpful during the early stages of healing to reduce tightness.
• My personal favorite: Apply cold pressed, organic castor oil to the area, cover and then apply a heat pack for 30-60mins. 

Osteopathic Techniques for Scar Treatment

Osteopathic treatments focus on both the local and global effects of scars to improve healing and function:

• Soft Tissue Massage: Techniques like cross-friction and myofascial release break up adhesions and improve tissue movement.
• Muscle Energy Techniques (MET): Controlled muscle contractions help release tension in the scarred area.
• Visceral Manipulation: This technique aims to restore normal function and movement of internal organs affected by scar tissue.
• Counterstrain and Functional Techniques: These methods address muscle and fascial restrictions to relieve pain and enhance movement.
• Joint Mobilisation: Helps improve joint movement affected by scar tissue, reducing compensatory pain and improving overall function.

Scars are more than just surface-level marks; they can affect your body’s overall function and well-being. By combining home management techniques with osteopathic treatments, you can reduce the negative effects of scars, improve their appearance, and enhance your quality of life. Effective scar care goes beyond cosmetic improvement—it’s also about optimising function and comfort. If you would like to explore how we can support you to reduce the impact of your scars on your quality of life, send us a message.