Scars are naturally formed following a surgery or injury as a part of the healing process in the body. Sometimes, scar tissue may cause ongoing pain, limit the range of motion in joints, and restrict the person’s overall daily functioning.

One of the common examples is a scar tissue formation following a hip or knee replacement surgery or carpal tunnel surgery limiting the range of motion and entrapping oedema. 

New and old scars can be treated with the aim to improve tissue mobility, increase range of motion, reduce pain, and improve overall appearance.

The management of scar tissue is determined by several factors including the scar maturation phase; type, shape and sensitivity of scar; and the distance between the scar tissue and underlying and nearby tissues such as tendons, muscles, and ligaments.

Following the comprehensive assessment of the client and client’s scar tissue, our therapists will recommend the best course of treatment for scar management. Various treatment approaches may be used including:

Scar massage: a specific type of massage that promotes healing, helps with scar tissue mobilization, reduces the tightness and improves the tissue flexibility, and helps with desensitization of the affected area.

Shockwave therapy: a high energy sound wave based therapy that reduces pain, promotes normal healing by increasing micro circulation, and improves tissue mobility.

Low level laser therapy: a light based therapy that reduces the pain, swelling and inflammation, promotes healing process and decreases fibrotic tissue and scarring.

Stretching and flexibility exercises: a specific stretching exercise programs to improve joint mobility and tissue flexibility.

Compression therapy: used to prevents overgrowth of scar tissue, promotes quality of scar, and improves scar appearance

Self-management techniques: education on self-massage, skin management, desensitization, use of silicone gel sheet, compressions, etc.

The benefits of scar treatment using various therapeutic modalities are many including faster recovery,  long-lasting pain relief, improvement and activation of surrounding muscles, alteration of persistent numbness and altered sensation, improvement of tissue mobility, improvement in function, etc.

If you are experiencing pain and functional limitations due to scars, either new or old, ask our therapists for the available treatment options.