ScarWork
Do you have a scar that’s concerning you?
Do you find that your movement has become restricted after surgery or an accident?
Does the area around your scar feel tight or is pulling?
ScarWork is a gentle technique that restores movement and function to the tissues surrounding scars, as well as enhancing the quality, appearance, and texture of the scar itself.
Aren’t scars just a natural result of healing and repair?
Most of us have a scar of some sort, but have you considered how that scar may be affecting the rest of your body?
We can often think of a scar being the end of the journey. After all, when a consultant checks your scar after surgery and says “It’s healing well you don’t need to see me anymore”, you can take that as a sign that everything’s gone to plan and you can move forward with your life.
After an accident, you may be left with a scar, but again that’s a sign that the body has recovered and repaired – right?
How scars can cause problems.
Whilst a scar is a natural result of your body healing from an open wound, the story doesn’t always stop there.
Our bodies are a complex web of tissue and structures designed to move, slide and glide against each other. Scar tissue is a natural and essential part of healing, but it is not a replica of the tissue it replaces. It also doesn’t lay down in the way the original tissue did. This means the ‘layers’ of tissue can get stuck together where they used to be able to slide and glide against each other.
Restrictions, adhesions and tension lines that result from a scar put excess strain and load on the body. This can lead to issues around the scar or other injuries and complications due to how the body adapts.
Also, scar tissue contracts over time, resulting in further pulling, puckering and strain on the surrounding tissues and structures.
There is also the potential impact on the tissues, structures and organs underneath the skin. Adhesion and scarring can be far-reaching. On the surface, you may have one small scar, but there can be a web of scar tissue deeper under the skin too.
It’s a bit like a mushroom (bear with me…).
On top of the soil may be one small mushroom but lift it gently from the soil and you see the web of mycelium it’s connected to undermeath. Think of the mycelium, the white mesh in the photo, as an adhesion.
Over time these adhesions can impact areas of the body that don’t initially seem connected. I’ve had clients with 40-year-old scars that were affecting how they were able to move and starting to cause pain and dysfunction elsewhere.
How does ScarWork help?
ScarWork intends to improve the feel, health and function of a scar and surrounding tissues. To re-establish the 3D quality of the fascia and connective tissue that gives the body strength and resilience. Also to enhance the movement available between layers involved – skin, fascia, muscles and viscera (The internal organs underneath).
Scarwork aims to stimulate the area and encourage further natural healing to occur. Visual changes to the scar tissue can result too. Scars can appear lighter, smaller, flatter, faded and softer. Knots and ropy scar tissue often become softened and looser too.
As dense scar tissue softens and reduces, any nerve impairment can be improved. As the tissue surrounding or near a nerve relaxes it can result in the nerve being less irritated and thus desensitise. This can mean changes in numbness, pain, itching, irritation or extreme sensitivity.
The primary focus of ScarWork is always on the underlying tissues, the changes it can create there, and the benefits gained by those changes.
What happens in a ScarWork session?
Every session is done at a pace that’s right for you.
The treatment starts superficially focusing on the uppermost layers of the skin. Gradually, as the scar allows, we work through the layers to treat the entire impacted area. ScarWork is always done to your level of comfort and not painful in any way.
If your scar is very sensitive the session begins away from the scar, gradually moving towards it as comfort allows. This sensitivity will change and reduce over the course of your treatments.
Big changes can occur within just a few sessions but it’s important to meet your body where it’s at and follow the path it guides us to.
Whilst you will see and feel a difference in the scar, often within the first session, there is usually larger, whole body change as tension reduces and compensation patterns can let go.
A series of treatments is recommended for best results, but benefits can often be seen and felt from the first session. How many sessions you may need will vary depending on the size, age and type of scar you have.
No matter if your scar is new or old, improvement can always be made.
Which Scars Can Be Treated With ScarWork?
All kinds of scars can benefit from treatment for scar tissue, be that scars from surgery (including cosmetic) an accident or a burn. Here are some examples of the types of scars that have been treated with ScarWork:
- Abdominal Surgery
- Burn
- Gall Bladder Removal
- Knee Surgery
- Tube or Drain Sites
- C-Section
- Facial Scars
- Hip Replacement
- Mastectomy/Lumpectomy
- Road Traffic Accident
- Appendix Removal
- Cancer Surgery
- Hysterectomy
- Open Heart Surgery
- Spinal Surgery
When Is ScarWork Unsuitable?
Whilst most scars can benefit from ScarWork, there are some instances that it’s not appropriate. ScarWork is not always suitable for Keloid scars, stretch marks or acne scars. If you have had any abdominal surgery where a mesh was fitted, ScarWork may be unsuitable.
If you are unsure, we can discuss this on a complementary call. It may be that I ask you to check with your GP or consultant first before we proceed. ScarWork is not a replacement for any conventional treatment you may need.
How I Work:
Over the years I have trained in different disciplines, always because I have been drawn to them and they complement each other. That’s why I often use a Blended Approach to my treatments.
If I feel that another modality would be of benefit, I will discuss that with you. That may include Visceral work, Upledger CranioSacral Therapy, PSYCH-K® or Bach Flower essences. The decision is always with you, but I feel it’s important for you to have that choice.
For instance, if you have undergone a traumatic operation, there may still be emotions and stress stored in your body. Using a gentle process from PSYCH-K® or Bach Flower essences we can help release the impact of those emotions and memories, giving your body a better chance to heal.
You may also benefit from blending ScarWork with Visceral Manipulation if you’ve had abdominal surgery. The ScarWork helps the scar tissue from the skin down, and visceral work can help release any restrictions around the internal organs that may be impacting their function either now or potentially in the future.
Similarly, I may recommend a different approach or therapist, whether that’s Rachael (we know each other’s skills and treatments well and work closely together) or another therapist locally. Again I will discuss this with you at that time. My intention is always that you receive what’s in your best and highest interest and that you find the best path for you in your health and well-being journey.
ScarWork Pricing
ScarWork sessions are at our in-person clinic in Kingsbury Episcopi, Somerset.
Initial Consultation: (90 minutes) – £105
Follow-Up Sessions (60 minutes) – £75
With Lorna Kennard-Wall
