Q:How do i massage my scar at home?
A: So, if you feel comfortable with the idea of massaging your scar. How and when should your start? I work alongside Cecile @Fix . have got Cecile is a soft tissue therapist @Fixlondon. Cecile has training and experience in scar massage/myofascial release and loves to help women post C section, o i have asked for her advice on this popular question!
“The time frame is given as an indication- don`t rush into anything you are not comfortable with. Listen to your body and what feels okay.
In the first 6 weeks- Lying on your back with your knees bent or resting on some pillows, gently place a hand on your lower belly, above the scar. Allow yourself to soften and tune into your breathing. There is nothing to do but relax and allow your your hand to sink in to the superficial layers of skin . You can place your other hand at the top of your thigh or anywhere below the scar that feels comfortable and practical.
After a couple of minutes, you may feel the tissues wanting to move, (it is likely to be very subtle)- you might notice your hand getting deeper or moving in a direction or another. Just follow the tissues, do not resist or force anything.
It might be that you don`t feel anything for a while and that is absolutely okay. Keep at it. It might take a few days for you to develop a sense of connection. When it comes to scar release, less is more- relax, soften, trust. Even just letting your hand sink in will have an effect on the fascial network.
I would recommend doing this daily (once or more, depending on how uncomfortable the scar feels) for 5 minutes minimum as myofascial release takes time. These solidified restrictions need time before they can “melt” back to a more fluid state (see below for more details).
From 6 weeks onwards–
Start with the exercise detailed above. When you feel you have established a good connection with yourself and your tissues you can place your fingers just above and below the scar and sink in for a couple of minutes. You can progressively add in a little bit of gentle movements whether is is tiny circles or tiny side-way strokes. Another good approach for this is to cross your fingers over your scar – you can use your index fingers only if it feels easier.
When you feel ready to work on the scar itself, and only when you feel ready- you can gently place the fingertips from both hands all along the scar and again sink in gently for a couple of minutes. You might notice, as already mentioned, the tissue subtly wanting to move one way or another or more deeply, just follow them where they want to go.
It is possible to apply gentle strokes along the scar – you can hold the skin on the lower side of it with your index fingertip and use the other index fingertip to gently brush over the scar towards your belly button in tiny j shaped strokes. Repeat and work along the whole length of the scar going across it.
Another stroke you can use is torquing- gather the tissues all around the scar in a little “sausage” over the scar and move each side of it in opposite directions to move the scar tissues. If your scar “escapes” you, don`t give up on it, play around and find ways to engage it gently or go back to some of the more basic techniques described above.”
You can find Cecile at Fix London (London Fields, Hackney). just book online via www.fixlondon.co.uk or call to speak to one of our lovely reception team to book on 020 8986 5551
