ScarWork
Every year thousands of people undergo surgery or have serious accidents leaving them with scar tissues and adhesions which can extend far beyond the mark left on your skin surface.
For some people, their scar tissue or adhesions will create obvious dysfunction.
Other people may only have some minor adjustments or tissue health changes following an injury or surgery and for some no obvious complications will be observed.
What is ScarWork
ScarWork, sometimes referred to as Sharon Wheeler ScarWork (to differentiate it from other forms of scar massage) is a very gentle form of scar massage.
As skin is healing after an operation or accident, different layers under the skin get adhered - stuck together - as the body closes and heals the wound. The body forms scar tissue as a natural response to trauma. Collagen laid down in the process of repair can result in a thickened fibrous mass (scar tissue). This can affect the normal functioning of the enveloped structures within it (nerves, blood and lymph vessels – which are wrapped in layers of connective tissue or fascia).
ScarWork is essentially the art of integrating scars into the fascial web, aiming to return te quality of the tissue to that of the surrounding unaffected areas
How can ScarWork help?
Release Tightness - Scar therapy can help loosen and release tight scar tissue to reduce discomfort. Treatment can be beneficial on both new and old scar tissue. A scar may also look smaller, flatter or lighter after treatment. Knots and tight, ropey scars may feel softer.
Help Restricted Mobility - By reducing tightness and encouraging mobility between the layers of skin, fascia and muscle, range of movement can often improve. A scar can cause dysfunction in other areas of the body, but you might not think of it as being the cause!
Reduce Sensitivity and Pain - Trapped nerves and irritated scar tissue can be a factor for prolonged discomfort. Therapeutic touch may reduce pain, numbness, itching and help to normalise sensitivity.
Stimulate and Boost Healing - Scar massage is often recommended by surgeons as a way to promote optimum scar healing after surgery and may minimise longer term complications
Support Emotional Wellbeing - Therapeutic touch can be powerful way to aid emotional recovery and help in accepting changes in the body after a surgery or accident.
Which scars can be treated with ScarWork?
The following types of scar can generally be treated with ScarWork;
Abdominal surgery
Appendix removal
C-section
Cancer surgery
Knee / hip / foot surgery
Mastectomy and Lumpectomy
Open heart surgery
Tube/drain sites
Road traffic accident
Spinal surgery
Childhood injury
Facial scars
Hysterectomy
Please note that ScarWork is not a replacement for conventional treatment.
If you are still under the care of a consultant then I would advise you to get their consent before I am able to work on your scar.
If you are in doubt, ask your doctor or consultant if you can safely have this gentle work done on and around your scar.
Keloid scars cannot be treated with ScarWork until more research has been done as to the effect.
If MESH has been used to support the healing of your intervention it is generally not possible at this point to receive Sharon Wheeler ScarWork. However, there may be some support that can be offered so please don't hesitate to get in touch to get further information about this.
ScarWork after Breast Cancer
I have recently completed advanced training in treating breast cancer scars. ‘Scar Therapy’ describes manual treatment or massage of a scar with the aim of reducing pain, improving flexibility and softening fibrous tissue and adhesions. Scar Therapy is useful when the consultant, breast care team or patient believe scar tissue from the surgery or radiotherapy is causing a problem. Scar tissue and adhesions can describe the internal complications that can occur after surgery, even if externally there are no visual abnormalities on the superficial scar line. I can treat the areas impacted in surgery to help promote improvement.
WHY HAVE SCAR THERAPY AFTER BREAST CANCER?
Scar Therapy is often helpful when treating patients with excessive or problematic scar formation after mastectomy, lumpectomy and breast reconstruction surgeries. Scar tissue that forms following a surgery or a traumatic accident is different from the pre-injury tissue in its cellular structure and function. If a patient has had an infection or necrosis which has compromised smooth healing or the patient receives higher doses of radiotherapy, the likelihood of excessive scar formation, and subsequent discomfort or dissatisfaction with the scar increases. Hereditary factors can also impact scar formation.
ScarWork treatment can begin around 8-15+ weeks after breast cancer surgery. The ideal time to commence will depend on the magnitude of the surgery. Reconstructive surgeries such as DIEP Flap usually need longer to complete initial healing, around 15+ weeks. Mastectomy without reconstruction or lumpectomy surgery may start treatment as early as 8+ weeks. Individual considerations are taken into account as to the best start time when you book an appointment. Immature scar tissue will often respond quickly and accessing treatment when the scar is still considered immature (i.e. less than 2 years old) may be beneficial. However, ScarWork treatment can be given to scars of any age and improvements are still possible in mature scars, many years after surgery.
“A really good experience. Very comfortable in surroundings. After the scar treatment, the scar felt the best it had done in months. Louise was so lovely and very understanding of any problems. Thank you so much.”
~ Lucy - Mastectomy & Diep Reconstruction Scars
What will a ScarWork treatment be like?
Movements are relaxed, working around and on the scar. Treatment gently progresses through the layers of tissue from the upper levels of the skin to deeper into the underlying fascia and muscles. It is given without oils or creams. Most clients find the treatments very relaxing.
The first initial appointment will usually be an hour (it may be shorter for smaller scars). This will include a thorough consultation, as well as treatment. We will discuss your medical history and establish any symptoms you have as a result of your scar, such as itching, tightness, pain or reduced mobility. We will clarify your goals for treatment - whether that's optimal recovery or addressing a specific problem.
You will be asked to disrobe so that the scar and the area around your scar can be accessed. When treating scars in more personal areas such as bikini line scars from hysterectomy and c-section, or scars from breast cancer, breast augmentation scars, or heart surgery scars, towels and blankets are on hand to drape any areas not being treated to maintain your modesty.
At the end of the treatment I will discuss your scar and explain how further treatments may help. Self massage techniques you can practice at home can also be shown.
My scar is sensitive. Does treatment hurt?
ScarWork treatment is not painful. If you don’t like having your scar touched, much benefit can still be gained from treating surrounding tissues and not directly on the scar itself. Gradual progression towards the scar can be made as you feel more comfortable with having the area touched. Sensitivity can be improved within just a few treatments. I will always work within your comfort level and treatments can be adjusted to suit you at any time.
The techniques are suitable for children too.
Is it too late for my Scar?
No! I have worked on scars which are over 20 years old and gained good results. Scars can be very old and still improve with treatment.
ScarWork or scar massage treatments can usually start around 6-14 weeks after a surgery. This will depend on how complicated and invasive your surgery and recovery have been. Bigger surgeries take longer for the deeper layers in the body to fully knit together
How many treatments will I need?
This depends on the age, size and history of the scar and individual responses to treatment. Results can usually be seen or felt quite quickly, even after the first treatment. Generally, a series of treatments is recommended for maximum benefit. Older and complicated scars will require multiple treatments. Sometimes a scar may only be worked on for a short amount of the time. I will incorporate other massage techniques to give a holistic treatment and integrate the ScarWork which has been done.
Prices for ScarWork
Please get in touch to discuss possible treatment options based on your needs or to ask any questions you might have.
Gift Vouchers
Vouchers are available for all treatments. These can be emailed or posted and can be paid for by cash, cheque or bank transfer. Please call 07880795447 email info@lgmassageandscartherapist.co.uk or fill in the contact form below: