It is unusual to meet someone who has NOT experienced a surgery or injury in their lifetime that has left them with scar tissue and changes to their bodies that affects them daily. Going through surgery can be stressful and in some situations, traumatic, physically and/or emotionally. And then for our own various reasons we accept decreased range of motion, achy sensations and discomfort as scar tissue forms. What if there was a way to feel pain free again? What if there was a way to increase range of motion? Having these goals is not selfish. Achieving these goals is not impossible.
Whenever there is an injury, minor surgery or major surgery there is a change happening to the body and the body responds to protect and heal. Scar tissue rebuilds in the area of impact and our scar tissue is designed to be bulkier, sturdier and less flexible in response to original tissue that was injured or surgically cut through. When something is removed and then scar tissue forms, it takes up a different amount of space in our body, and then the muscles and the tissues holding the muscles around that area try to adjust. This process can cause discomfort and even intense pain in some cases.
At the same time that scar tissue is being created, there are other responses happening in the body. When there is pain being sensed in the body, the nervous system signals for protection and quick repair, and less resources to calm and regenerate. This can look like increased blood pressure, tensed muscles, and poor posture or body movement. Another response that happens is muscle compensation. A good example of this happening is in a replacement surgery on a joint. If you have had a right hip replacement you likely have been avoiding putting much weight on the right leg and you are feeling extra tension in your left leg, hip, and low back.
Massage can help with all of these issues. Getting a relaxation massage before a surgery can ease circulation to aid the body to the best efficiency for easier recovery. Light massage as you are healing and recovering can relax and support the compensating muscles in your body. And once scar tissue has formed, custom therapeutic massage can soften scar tissue creating more range of motion and circulation, even years after scar tissue was formed.
If you are interested in more knowledge depth on scar tissue and fascia click over to the MELT Method blog: https://www.meltmethod.com/blog/scarring/
Do you have goals around scar tissue you are unsure how to achieve? Call Rita Sandquist Massage Therapy to discuss a plan and resources to get you on track to living your life pain free. 612-412-4814
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