If you are a new mommy or know someone who has given birth recently, whether they had a C-Section or delivered naturally, chances are they have remaining scars from the birth.
No matter the cause, scars can cause issues in the future including adherence to tissues underneath, difficulty for muscles to contract properly, and pain and or dysfunction in the area. Even though this blog is directed towards new mothers, this information is useful for most scars no matter the cause or their location on the body.
How do I know if these techniques are right for me?
Before we start, it is always advisable to go see a Physical Therapist for proper evaluation of scar tissue prior to starting these techniques on your own.If you live or work in Manhattan, please swing by our clinic near the Flatiron building for a proper evaluation. Here you will meet one on one with a physical therapist to determine how to begin these manual skills on the old scar tissue.
Start C-Section Scar Work as Soon As It’s Healed
When I was back in school, I had a professor who taught us wound care. One of the most important messages that I took from his class and I believe everyone should be aware of is that scar mobility work can begin as soon as the scar is healed.
Again, if you are concerned when the scar has healed, please go see a physical therapist for proper evaluation of the tissue.
Scar Tissue Evaluation
As a pelvic floor Physical Therapist, I see many C-section scars and this is what our discussion will revolve around today. In the video below, you will see a general evaluation of the tissue surrounding a mock scar site with our friend Candice who was sweet enough to lend us her time to film this video.
We start by assessing the superficial tissue by touching it and moving it in various directions to see which one is not like the others (site of most restriction).
4 Techniques You Can Use for Scar Tissue Mobility
Once we found that area, we will do a few techniques to get the scar moving.
- Desensitize the tissue: If the tissue is painful to touch or have clothes touching it, you might want to start by using various materials (cotton balls, cloth, q-tips) to desensitize the area before using your fingers. If you do this with your fingers and it does not cause pain, you will be able to move forward to the next steps.
- Move the first layer back and forth: Gently, with the pressure of a quarter, take your fingers and start to stretch the skin in the direction of ease and in the direction it is most restricted. Hold for a few seconds until the discomfort decreases. Move to another spot and repeat this process.
- Cross Friction: Once you have created some space and the pain is low, you may start to move across the scar using some oil like vitamin E, coconut oil, almond oil, etc. Just be sure the scar is completely closed and you test the oil prior as to not elicit an allergic reaction.
- Skin Rolling: This one is cone absolutely last, and is gentile. You will grab some skin, roll it between your fingers and work up and down the scar.
Generally, Candice does these maneuvers a few times a day as part of her specific treatment program. If you are curious about how to start scar work on yourself, please come visit CSC+M in Manhattan for your own evaluation.
