Scar Tissue Massage: An Overview

What Is a Scar Tissue?

A scar tissue or a scar is a mark that is remained after an injury or an incision. When the process of healing starts, the body begins secreting collagen fibers to close the incision or the injured site as a normal healing process. But these collagen fibers do not grow in an even direction resulting in a rough texture and forming a scar. When the scab falls off, the injured site starts forming a scar.

The process of healing a wound occurs in three phases:

• Inflammatory Phase: After any injury or incision, blood clotting occurs, and the area looks red and inflamed. This phase lasts only a few days after surgery or an injury.

• Proliferation Phase: The collagen fibers start forming in the healing process and close the wound. The injured site feels raised and scabbed. This phase lasts from two to ten days. During this phase, the wounded area feels warm, draining, and numb.

• Remodeling Phase: It is the last phase of wound healing, where the scar tissue forms completely. As the scar tissue forms, the nerves heal, the scar tissue becomes a little smooth, and the scar may be more itchy and sensitive than normal skin. In the beginning, the scar may appear purple and white and gradually matches the color of the skin.

What Is Scar Tissue Massage?

Scar tissue massage is a commonly used physical therapy that helps to form in the reduction of scar tissue in the injured site. During the scar tissue massage, the scar tissue breaks down, allowing for a faster healing process.

The following are the recommended ways for scar tissue massage at home:

• In the initial healing process, massage the scar tissue gently twice daily for five minutes.

• The scar tissue massage should always be done with any cream medium, such as lotions or oils, to prevent friction and further damage.

• Applying unscented vitamin E lotion or oil at the scar tissue site may be beneficial. Vitamin E helps collagen formation, and massaging with this oil or lotion helps lubricate and prevents scar tissue friction.

• Use one’s thumb to massage. The massage should be done in a way a lot of pressure is applied but should not cause any pain. Massage should be done in a circular motion, initially in the clockwise direction and then in the anticlockwise order maintaining firm pressure. It helps to drain the excess fluid present at the injured site.

• Then stretch the skin away and repeat the massage using firm pressure in a circular motion with the thumb finger.

• Then, while exerting pressure, slowly glide up the finger and then slide down the finger.

• Moisturization and hydration are essential to every scar tissue, irrespective of scar tissue massage.

• Repeat the whole procedure correctly for five minutes and two to three times daily.

What Are the Advantages of Scar Tissue Massage?

The following are the advantages of scar tissue massage:

• The scar tissue can make the muscles stiff and weak, and sometimes the scar tissue may require surgical removal. The scar tissue massage helps decrease scar tissue formation at the injured site.

• The scar tissue massage helps in the reduction of pain and itching.

• The scar tissue massage helps in increased blood supply and helps in the faster healing process.

• It helps to drain the excess fluids from the injured site and decreases inflammation and swelling.

• The feeling of tingling, numbness, and soreness decreases by regaining the lost sensation at the injury site.

• The scar tissue massage helps increase movement and flexibility, reducing muscles and skin tightness.

• The texture of the scar tissue becomes smoother with the massage.

What Are the Important Massage Techniques Used to Break Down the Scar Tissue?

The following are the vital massage techniques used to break down scar tissue:

• Sports massage.

• Deep tissue massage.

Sports Massage:

Sports massage mainly focuses on scar tissue breakdown, pain reduction, and increased relaxation. It is one of the methods done to break down scar tissue. This type of massage is highly recommended in places with delicate tissues. The pressure in this type of massage varies according to the person's preference. The temperature released during the breakdown of scar tissue with the sports massage is encouraged because the increased temperature helps to loosen the scar tissue very quickly and helps in the quick healing process.

Deep Tissue Massage:

The breakdown of scar tissue using deep tissue massage helps decrease pain, improve flexibility, and reduce stress. During this type of massage, one can give deep, firm pressure. The pressure is given deeper into the muscle fibers and tissues. The firm and deep pressure help break the adhesion and collagen fibers formed as a result of scar tissue.

What Are the Various Physiological Effects That Are Involved in Scar Tissue Massage?

The following are the significant physiological effects that involve in scar tissue breakdown with massage techniques:

• The increased temperature at the scar tissue helps in loosening the scar tissue.

• Increased oxygen is due to the increased blood flow at the injured site, which helps in a quick healing process.

• Break down or realignment of collagen fibers.

What Are the Precautions to Take When Performing Scar Tissue Massage?

When selecting whether or not to perform scar massage, massage therapists must use their training and best judgment. While treatment is most effective while a scar is in its early stages, it is also a good time to obtain physician approval. Other precautions for immature scars include:

• Take particular caution when handling radiated tissues, as the skin is sensitive and easily broken.

• If actions produce discomfort or intensify tissue redness, stop immediately, with the exception of friction massage.

• Massage should never be performed on any open lesions.

• Apply a lubricant to prevent accidental finger slipping.

Conclusion:

Scar tissue massaging is a commonly used traditional practice of physical therapy that includes breaking down scar tissue, which majorly helps decrease the scar tissue. But in the, recent techniques help to break down the scar tissue and altogether remove the scar tissue. Few studies have shown that massage techniques help improve color and scar tissue breakdown, while few other studies did not show the efficacy of the massage technique.