Physiotherapy East Sheen assist with scar tissue management
Scar tissue is a normal consequence of injury or surgery and forms a protective layer to prevent infection or to protect damaged tissues from further damage. However, scars can have a negative impact on our bodies causing pain and discomfort, or limiting movement through adhesion formations, tightness or stiffness. Scar informed physiotherapy techniques like massage, taping or stretching can decrease the formation and adhesions of scar tissue allowing normal functional mobility to return.
Physiotherapy East Sheen can assist with scar management, whether the scar is recent and needs to be ‘remodeled’ or older and has been a problem for some time. We use a variety of techniques including massage, splinting, stretching and exercises to help reduce the size, tension and discomfort of scars. We can also address the underlying factors that cause scarring and a more limited range of movement. We also diagnose and treat the underlying muscle and joint problems that may contribute to scarring, as well as educate our clients to help them manage their scars in everyday life.
We have an innovative mobile physiotherapy service, Physit, which can bring a physiotherapist to your home or workplace in the Sheen, Mortlake, Roehampton, Richmond, Kew and Barnes areas. This can be helpful for people who are too ill, physically unable or just too busy to get into the clinic.
Can Physiotherapy East Sheen assist with scar tissue management?
Despite their inherently traumatic origins, most scars are not permanent and can undergo a process called remodeling in which abnormal clumps of cells are gradually loosened and replaced by normal collagen fibers. This remodeling is slow and can take weeks, months or even years to occur. However, the physiotherapist can speed up this process by performing manual therapy techniques such as massage, stretching and exercise on the affected area.
Scar reorganization techniques can be used to modify the shape of the scar, improve comfort, decrease pain and itchiness, and increase pliability (scar tissue flexibility). These include massaging a scar with light pressure using circular motions. Alternatively, scar tissue massage can be performed with the use of a metal tool called a Graston technique where a physical therapist gently ‘grabs’ and releases adhesions in the fascia and muscles that surround a scar.
Stretching and a programme of specific exercises can help to elongate a scar and improve its flexibility; this is especially effective for keloids and hypertrophic scars which are less likely to remodel. We may also recommend the use of compression garments to reduce scar height and redness.
We offer a full range of treatment options for a variety of problems associated with scars, whether they are hypertrophic, keloid or atrophic (flat) and can include acupuncture, electrotherapy (ultrasound, interferential etc), manipulation/mobilisation and exercise prescription. In addition to these conservative treatments, we can offer Shockwave Therapy a minimally invasive treatment which can be extremely beneficial for long term chronic tendon/connective tissue/ muscle/joint pain, particularly if the symptoms have not responded to other conservative treatments.