How Osteopathy Can Help with Scar Tissue
Scar tissue is a natural part of the healing process following injury or surgery, but it can sometimes lead to discomfort and reduced mobility. Whether it’s from a surgical incision, a traumatic injury, infections or chronic inflammation, scar tissue can form as the body repairs damaged tissue, resulting in adhesions or fibrosis (thicker, denser tissue). This can sometimes cause pain, stiffness, and even limit the function of surrounding muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
What is Scar Tissue?
Scar tissue may occur following tissue healing, as the body aims to repair itself the new tissue does not form in the same way the old tissue may. When your body sustains an injury or undergoes surgery, it produces collagen (a fibrous protein) to mend the damaged tissue. Over time, this collagen forms scar tissue. While scar tissue is essential for healing, it doesn’t always match the original tissue’s flexibility or function, which can lead to pain, tightness, and movement restrictions. This tissue often lacks components such as hair follicles and glands and is often compromised heavily with collagen and other fibres such as macrophages and fibroblasts.
In some cases, scar tissue can adhere to muscles, nerves, or organs beneath the skin, which can cause discomfort and reduced function.
How Osteopathy Can Help with Scar Tissue Pain
Osteopathy focuses on the body’s interconnected, aiming to enhance movement, reduce pain, and improve overall well-being through hands-on techniques. For scar tissue pain, osteopaths use a variety of treatments to help break down adhesions, improve tissue mobility, and reduce inflammation.
Here are some ways osteopathy can help:
1. Improving Blood Flow to the Area
Osteopathic treatment can help improve circulation to the scar tissue area. This enhanced blood flow encourages the healing process and helps the tissue become more pliable, which can reduce pain and stiffness.
2. Breaking Down Adhesions and Fibrosis
Scar tissue may form adhesions (areas where tissue sticks together) that can limit movement and cause pain. Osteopaths use manual techniques, such as myofascial release and soft tissue manipulation, to break down these adhesions and restore normal movement.
3. Reducing Inflammation and Pain
Osteopathic treatments can help reduce inflammation around scar tissue, which can alleviate pain. Techniques such as stretching, joint mobilisation, and muscle energy techniques can help reduce discomfort and restore the body’s range of motion.
4. Restoring Function and Mobility
Through targeted manual therapy, osteopaths work to restore optimal function to the muscles, joints, and connective tissues affected by scar tissue. By improving movement patterns and flexibility, osteopathy helps prevent long-term discomfort and enhances overall mobility.
What Treatment May Involve
If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort due to scar tissue, osteopathic treatment may involve the following:
As osteopaths we incorporate multiple hands on technqies during our sessions, we may utilise soft tissue therapy by applying gentle pressure to the muscles and soft tissues surrounding the scar. We will work on the areas above and below and directly over the scar (provided you are comfortable with this) in order to break down adhesions, improve tissue elasticity, and reduce discomfort. We may incorporate strain-counterstain to release tissue tension, myofascial release, dry needling and more to restore mobility, decrease restrictions associated to the scar and improve overall wellbeing.
At-Home Tips for Scar Tissue Care
While osteopathic treatment can greatly benefit the healing process, we will teach you several things you can do at home to manage scar tissue pain and support recovery. This may involve massaging the scar, firstly above and below and then directly over the scar to help improve blood flow, reduce tension, and promote healing. We may provide you with a mobility and/or stretching program to help prevent the scar tissue from becoming too tight or restrictive. We will also provide you with other at home tips to help support your recovery
Scar tissue pain is common after injury or surgery, but it doesn’t have to be a lifelong struggle. Osteopathy offers a holistic approach to treating scar tissue by improving circulation, reducing inflammation, and promoting healing. With a combination of professional treatment and self-care at home, you can manage pain, improve flexibility, and restore function to the affected area.
If you’re struggling with scar tissue pain, consider visiting an Osteopath to develop a personalised treatment plan, contact us today on 0405 640 786.