Scar Tissue 101 – How Scar Tissue Impacts the Body
Scars – to some people they are trophies, war wounds to be proud of, reminders of traumas that they wish to forget, and to many, just something they have already forgotten. The truth of the matter is scars and the restrictions they cause can affect every system in the body.
Recognizing them can be the key to unlocking mysterious pain and other issues that have been interfering with the body’s ability to function and balance. And this can be a great relief for your massage clients who have been struggling with scar tissue pain for a long time.
Why More People Don’t Know About the Impact of Scar Tissue
Historically, the medical world has ignored or seen scar tissue as having no consequence. With all of the current ongoing research and information compiled on the importance of fascia, the medical world is starting to recognize the significance of scar tissue in the body. As with most new fields of interest, there have been many new versions of therapy popping up, which for the most part is a very good thing. Unfortunately, the negative side of new frontiers is that many therapies are being administered without a proper understanding of the subject matter.
I have been a massage therapist specializing in scar tissue release for over 20 years. In this time I have seen scar tissue work go from being dismissed by doctors and a general population completely in the dark as to what is causing their issues, to consideration by the medical profession that it may be a problem to some extent.
Still, many doctors are ignoring the effects, while some have taken to using it as an excuse: “I know I told you it would take 6 months for recovery but you have developed scar tissue.” Trust me on this – I get at least one phone call a week with that one.
It’s important to know how scar tissue impacts the body so you can help treat the underlying issues scar tissue causes.
Misinformation About Scar Tissue
The internet is now flooded with inaccurate information about scar tissue and ways to cure it. Therapies are being applied with a total lack of understanding of the physiology of scar tissue. There is little or worse no knowledge behind the events that caused the scars i.e. surgeries, accidents, and what the corrective procedures did to the body. No attention is paid to the psychological & emotional trauma surrounding the event. Few look for the possible compensations the body may have complied with in response to restrictions and what releasing those restrictions without proper rehab would do. Honestly, it is terrifying to me.
So I thought we could take a moment to clear up some of the misinformation:
1) Scar tissue cannot be broken down nor can it be removed. – Anyone who claims to break down scar tissue does not understand what scar tissue is. Scar tissue replaces normal tissue that is damaged. If you break it down you are essentially saying that you are causing a new wound. The only person who can remove scar tissue is a surgeon who is literally cutting it out – only for new scar tissue to form.
The goal of working with scar tissue is to release the adhered layers, attempting to re-establish homeostasis, releasing and correcting the compensations from fascial restrictions all the while being acutely aware of possible emotional release.
2) Scar tissue is dead fibrous tissue. This could not be further from the truth. Scar tissue composition and structure are different than that of the normal tissue it replaces. Because of changes in the relative amounts, type, and structure of collagen, it is inferior in function.
- Scar tissue has less elasticity.
- Scar tissue is not as strong as normal tissue.
- Scar tissue does not oxygenate well, creating a low (acidic) PH:
- Scar tissue is different neurologically.
- Scar tissue does not contract.
- Scars are less resistant to ultraviolet radiation.
- Scar tissue does not contain sweat glands and hair follicles.
- Scar tissue is prone to injury.
3) Scars are only an aesthetic issue. Most people are only concerned with how the scars alter their appearance and have no idea how their scars and adhesions are affecting their bodies on so many different levels, or that scars can be a major trigger for PTSD.
4) Anyone can treat a scar. Acknowledging that scar tissue may at the root of the problem is the first step in any therapy. After that simply massaging the affected area will bring about change. However, that being said I want to caution therapists. You need to thoroughly understand the event which caused the scar i.e. surgery, accident etc., and all the goes with it. This includes emotions, all of the physical ramifications for the body, and what type of rehab will be needed once the massage is done.
I am not saying that one should never massage a scar I am saying that as with all diseases, disorders, and dysfunctions (yes scar tissue is a cause of dysfunction), you need to understand what you are working with before you lay hands on it.
5) Physical scars cannot and do not show how much pain or suffering a person has experienced. Every scar has an emotional history surrounding it.
- Shock
- Guilt
- Failure
- Loss
- Detachment
- Trauma
- Anger & Resentment
- Low Self Esteem
- Fear
- Hopelessness/ Depression
- Disgust when seeing or touching the scar
- Sadness about the limits the scar places on everyday life
- Humor – yes there can be funny stories behind accidents
The emotions surrounding the physical scars can and do have a direct emotional and psychological effect. It can bring about significant self-image issues and lower self-confidence. Research on the aftercare of burn survivors or those with severe facial scarring has proven this. In the cases of patients with severe scarring suffering from depression (between 13-23% of cases) or post-traumatic stress disorder (between 13-45% of cases) have been documented.
6) Tools: There are many instruments and tools out there that are effective on scars but they are not the end all be all. Rather they should be considered part of the therapy.
An example would be cupping. When a cup is placed on the scar tissue and its surrounding areas, the vacuum lifts the scar tissues above and below the skin, essentially pulling them apart so that fresh blood and lymph can circulate freely through them. This improved circulation in turn makes movement easier and as a result, healing of the scars is induced.
It is a great tool but again you should not just cup over a scar without a full understanding of what you could be opening up (both emotionally and physically) and how altering that scar will affect the person in the long run.
7) Scars and adhesions are the same things. Not true as you can have adhesions without scars but you cannot have scars without adhesions. Both need to be recognized and treated.
8) All scars need to be released. A very dangerous statement indeed. What if the only thing holding that knee replacement together is the adhesions formed around it? Something to consider before pulling out that cup or edge tool.
9) All scars are a problem. Not necessarily, but all scars have the potential to be one and should be considered and examined.
10) Scars only affect the tissue. Again not true, but even if it is was, this is still causing them to treat them. Scar tissue can affect every system of the body:
- integumentary
- muscular-skeletal
- nervous
- circulatory
- lymphatic
- respiratory
- endocrine
- urinary/excretory
- reproductive
- digestive
Unraveling Scar Tissue Pain & Frustration
Understanding how each of these systems can be affected by scar tissue can lead you to unravel the mysteries of the pain and frustration your client/patient has been suffering, in some cases for years.
If your chosen area of therapy is to give relaxation massage then more power to you. Not every massage needs to be a medical one and everyone needs to take time to release and relax.
But if you are administering a medically oriented therapy then it is imperative that as a therapist you know who the person is, what they went through, and how they came to be on your table before putting your hands on them.
Once you are informed of the specific surgery the client/patient has had your next step should be to watch videos of that type of surgery to see the extent of the damage done. You need to consider all of the possible emotional, and psychological trauma you are tapping into before working on the scar. Most importantly you need to be prepared for the possible reactions and how to handle them for the protection of your client/patient and yourself.
I highly recommend enrolling in one of my S.T.R.A.I.T Method seminars to learn massage and stretching techniques to help your clients with their scar tissue.
Final Thoughts.
There are so many wonderful forms of therapy available today to help people on their journey to balance health and wellness. No one is better than the other, rather we have to find the right one, or combination thereof, that works for each individual. That being said, there is nothing more important than recognizing the effect scars are having on a person. In order for any therapy to be fully effective, you have to clear and release any scars that are impeding the body’s function.
In other words, scar tissue release is the first step then you may proceed with any therapies that resonate with the patient.
》A B O U T M A R J O R I E B R O O K
Marjorie Brook, LMT is a massage therapist, author, and international educator. For over 21 years, she has specialized in scar tissue release and massage therapy. She works from the fundamental belief that your body is intuitively aligned with the thoughts you think, the emotions that you feel and the things that you do. She founded Brooks Seminars in 2007 after working for a decade as a nationally recognized massage therapist with a private practice on Long Island. She is the creator of the Scar Tissue Release and Integrated Therapies (S.T.R.A.I.T Method™) and offers continuing education courses on this method all over the world. Her articles have appeared in magazines such as Massage Today, American Fitness, and Massage World. She’s approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, the Massage Therapy Association of Alberta, and the College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia.