◗ Start to massage your scar as soon as your wound is fully healed. ◗ It is usually recommended that you massage your scar 2 to 3 times a day for 5 to 10 minutes each time. ◗ Continue to massage your scar until it has matured. A scar is mature when it is paler, flatter or softer.
Wait until after your skin has healed before you start massaging your scar. Your skin will be healed when the edges of the scar are well closed with no gaps, and have no drainage.
It is never too late to receive a scar tissue release massage. You may just need a couple of sessions to feel confident and comfortable to do this on yourself at home.
You then want to move adjacent to the scar and move the skin in all directions, up and down and left and right. It is recommended to perform scar massage on a daily basis to have the greatest affect on scar development, pain reduction, and scar mobility.
Yes, physical therapy will help improve movement and the healing of scar tissue. Can you massage away scar tissue? Yes if the scar is no more than two-years-old. We perform three different massage techniques to help heal scar tissue including, cross friction massage, myofascial release, and instrument-assisted massage.
If a patient massages their scar prematurely it could cause the wound to tear or reopen, risking an infection. It's therefore important to advise them to not begin massaging until the wound is fully healed.
Be extra careful near sensitive areas such as joints or bony prominences - they may contain more delicate tissue than other places on your body. In addition, avoid overstretching or pressing too deeply into the scar area since this can cause damage to the skin instead of helping it heal properly.
How does a scar mature? Immediately following wound healing, a scar is usually red in appearance and is referred to as an 'immature' scar. Between 3 months and 2 years the scar should become paler, flatter and softer and can then be referred to as a 'mature' scar.
Bio-Oil helps to improve the appearance of new or old scars; whether from surgery, accidents, burns, insect bites, scratches or conditions such as acne or chickenpox. Although younger scars will have a greater chance of improvement, studies have shown that older scars also benefit from regular use of Bio-Oil.
However, there are three distinct stages to healing and your scar will have a different appearance during each stage. The three phases to healing are the inflammatory stage, the proliferative stage and the remodelling stage.
Four to six weeks after surgery, when the scar has healed: Apply a warm compress before the massage. Place two fingers on the scar and move the skin in all directions.
Scar massage is performed by using the pads of your fingertips and applying firm pressure to your scar and then moving in a circular motion over the scar. The pressure should cause the scar to blanch (turn pale) but not so hard that it hurts.
What does the research say about the effects of massage on scar tissue? Medical and scientific research has shown that manual therapy, such as massage, has the ability to break down scar tissue, reduce associated pain and increase the range of motion.
Begin with light pressure and progress to deeper and firmer pressure. Massage lotion in, applying enough pressure to make the scar area lighten in colour or turn white. How often should I massage my scar? Massage should be done two to three times daily for ten minutes each time.
“What may be OK with one client may not be OK with another,” says Richards. “Some clients are ready to get back on their feet ASAP, while others are really scared of re-injuring the surgery site.” Six weeks is the standard time massage therapists wait before working on or near post-operative incision sites.
Massaging your scar(s) twice a day can help to stimulate the repair process and help you connect with the scar emotionally. Wait until your wound has fully healed and allow 4 weeks after any stitches have been removed before you start to apply Bio-Oil.
In time, some collagen breaks down at the site of the wound and the blood supply reduces. The scar gradually becomes smoother and softer. Although scars are permanent, they can fade over a period of up to 2 years. It's unlikely they'll fade any more after this time.
When do scars look their worst? For the first couple of weeks after surgery, a scar can appear red, angry and lumpy. Between approximately four and eight weeks, it can look wider and redder and, at times, worse than it looked initially.
Avoid scratching or picking scabs.
Healing wounds may itch, but you should avoid the temptation to scratch them. “Scratching the wound or picking at the scab causes more inflammation, making a scar more likely,” Fisher says.
Keep it Clean
Your skin needs a lot of moisture and warmth to heal well. Putting a heating pad or water bottle on the wound can also help increase blood flow to the wound, and therefore speed up recovery.
The most appropriate types of massage used to breakdown scar tissue include sports massage, deep tissue massage and remedial massage. Sports massage is used to break down scar tissue. A sports massage mainly focuses on areas containing soft tissues. Sports massage can vary in pressure depending on personal preference.
Cross Friction Massage
One effective method of scar massage is called cross friction or transverse friction massage. This technique involves using one or two fingers to massage along the scar line. PTs commonly use cross friction massage to treat the following: Tendonitis.
Also, the outermost layer often loosens while the deeper layers remain intact; this is normal as well. Following the swelling/reddening phase, the wound becomes smaller and paler over the next 2-3 months (Figure 2). Later, the scar becomes soft and has a more natural color in most individuals.