Have you had an operation at all?? Even a small or key hole operation?? If so, you will have had some form of scar tissue underneath the scar. Look at it like the ocean – it may look lovely and smooth and calm on the top but deep down there is a lot going on!
Scars have a story to tell
Every scar you have will have a story behind it. Sometimes there is a lot of trauma around the scar and what happened, other times it is ‘just a scar’ and it was just a little operation. Very often someone will say to me – oh that is just from my appendix when I was a kid. However, did you know that scar has still caused a little tightness and potentially deeper adhesions which can have an affect elsewhere in the body.
Nothing in our body works in isolation
Our body is so intrinsically intertwined, but most people don’t think about this. We have something called fascia – which is like a sheet of connective tissue under the skin to attach, enclose and separate muscles and internal organs. It is like a spiders web all around our body – so something that is happening in your jaw can have an impact on your pelvic floor or even your toes!
I wont go into all the detail, but stop for a second and think about this. Often injuries – say you have knee pain. Most of the time, though that is where the pain is – the problem is not from the knee – it is from something going on maybe in the glutes or quads – usually a tightness. OR it could be from an old scar
C-Section scars, hysterectomy scars or appendix scars
C section and hysterectomy scars can have a really big impact on you, your emotional state as well as pain or niggles elsewhere in the body. However, so many women having these operations underestimate what has happened.
The tissue has had trauma. Whether it has been cut, torn or undergone micro trauma – it is trauma to the tissues.
So if you have had a C section or hysterectomy the most important thing to do is to help mend the tissue which has had trauma – internally and externally. Whether you have an emergency C section or a planned on – the different layers are cut – so imagine when they are all being swewn back up – there are different depths of stiches – more tissue to mend.
I love this video of a US doctor doing a C section using play dough, with her son. It is really sweet & is actually a really good way to see the different layers that are cut: https://youtu.be/utCS5rzNkfU
Internal scar tissue
If you can start focussing on your hydration and nutrition post operation. If you can try and eat plenty of fruit, vegetables and protein – that can actually help the scar tissue. They provide the vitamins and nutrients to help the tissue mend from within. The tissue needs water to keep it hydrated, and often with the amino acids and vitamin C & E based foods, it helps knit them together.
External Scar tissue
Hopefully you will be able to feel and look at your scar. However, for some of you, you may feel repulsed by your scar. Either way, if you can gently start massaging your tummy, just gently. The touch can really help you gradually get used to moving down to touch the scar. It will get the blood to the area which again will be bringing the nutrients to that area.
So start very gently with a stroking the tummy area. Probably leave it a good 8 – 10 weeks before you start to gently massage your scar. Again you may need to start by gently stroking it. Check for any infection or really lumpy areas – adhesions.
When you are ready and the scar isn’t painful then gently massage along the scar & then a gentle circular movement over the scar. Try not to pull it up & down – we want to avoid potentially opening it up. If you can’t touch it then try massaging underneath the scar.
TOP TIP – avoid Bio oil or oils/creams which say they are ‘natural’. If you have a ‘natural’ health shop nearby, ask them for a nice scar tissue oil – usually a Vit C or E oil.
As the scar gets older and you are back to your everyday routines – don’t forget your scar. The more you can support it, massage or stroke for the 1st 6 months post operation, the less ‘stuck’ you may be in your body.
Saw this photo on Unsplash, by Sharon Mccutche . Yes everything she has written is so much a part of the emotions of scars.
