Turn your Scars into Superpowers
Why ScarWork® might be the missing puzzle in your healing journey
HOLISTIC APPROACH TO POST-INJURY, POST-SURGICAL, POST-INFECTION AND SCARS
When dealing with pain, it’s important to consider whether scars might be contributing to lingering discomfort. These hidden factors can significantly influence how pain persists over time. Scar treatment often represents the missing piece in achieving full recovery after injury or surgery. While healing the wound itself is the initial priority, addressing scars is essential for restoring both the skin’s appearance and its functional health. Incorporating specialized scar therapy into your recovery supports long-term physical comfort and psychological well-being, making it a vital part of comprehensive care.
Healing of the scar tissue
The healing of scar tissue occurs through a complex biological process called fibrosis, which begins immediately after the skin or tissue is injured. Initially, the body forms a clot to stop bleeding, followed by an inflammatory response that clears debris and pathogens. Fibroblasts then migrate to the area and produce collagen, a structural protein essential for tissue repair. This collagen is initially disorganized but gradually reorganizes into a structured matrix, strengthening the area. Over time, blood vessels grow back to supply nutrients, and the scar tissue remodels to become more like the original tissue, although it rarely regains full strength or flexibility. The entire process can take weeks to months, depending on the injury's severity and location.
Adhesion - the ‘side effect’ of the healing process
Scar tissue can lead to restrictions in the body by forming adhesions that limit the normal movement of muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues. When tissue is damaged and heals, the new collagen fibers in scar tissue are often arranged more densely and irregularly than in healthy tissue, reducing elasticity and flexibility. This rigidity can impair range of motion, cause stiffness, and contribute to pain or discomfort. Additionally, scar tissue may interfere with nerve function and blood flow, further restricting movement and hindering the body’s natural healing processes.
I often get asked what exactly is wrong with having adhesions in the body and why we should pay attension to them at all. After all, following the healing process, we might begin to feel quite ‘normal’ again, as if returning to the usual state of well-being we experienced prior to the injury or surgery.
Let me explain. Each muscle, ligament, and internal organ should be able to slide and glide smoothly against the neighbouring structures to maintain its physiological health. This movement enables proper circulation and nutrient exchange. When muscles and internal organs move freely without restriction, they are able to perform their functions efficiently and effectively. This natural mobility supports us in our daily activities, allowing our bodies to work seamlessly, and enabling us to ‘forget about them’ as they quietly work for us.
The wonderful thing about our bodies is their remarkable ability to compensate for various issues, effectively ‘working around’ problems for extended periods. Our biological systems can adapt to challenges, finding solutions that allow us to function normally despite underlying issues. However, these compensatory mechanisms have limits, and when they suddenly fail, symptoms can emerge abruptly and unexpectedly, seemingly out of blue, and often years or decades later.
Common adhesions
Let me give you a couple of examples where restrictions in this sliding motion can lead to impaired function. Let’s take a surgery for appendicitis as the first example. During surgery, the exposure of internal tissues to oxygen can lead to dehydration of these tissues. This drying effect causes the tissues to become sticky, increasing the likelihood that they will adhere to each other and not be able to freely slide and glide against each other any more. When scar tissue develops between loops of the intestine or between the intestine and the abdominal wall, it may restrict normal movement. The adhesions may cause segments of the small intestine to become tethered, preventing the coordinated muscular contractions known as peristalsis. This disruption slows down the passage of food through the digestive tract, which can often result in various uncomfortable symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation, to name just a few.
Now, you might think that modern surgery - laparoscopy - doesn’t expose the tissues to oxygen and you will be right. However, the procedure requires the abdomen to be insufflated with a gas, typically carbon dioxide to create the necessary space for the surgeon to operate. While the gas used is not oxygen, the introduction of any gas into the abdominal cavity exposes the internal tissues to a dehydration.
Another example of adhesions that I see in the clinic frequently are related to cesarean section surgery. In some cases, the scar tissue formed following surgery may cause organs such as the uterus, bladder, and intestines to bind together, which can restrict their normal movement and function. This may lead to significant discomfort, persistent pelvic pain, or issues with incontinence, all of which can have a profound impact on a woman's overall quality of life during the postpartum period.
Nerve-impaired numbness
Another symptom worth considering when talking about scars is nerve-impaired numbness. It occurs when nerve damage or dysfunction disrupts the transmission of signals between the body and the brain, leading to a loss of sensation in affected areas. It often manifests as tingling, burning, or a complete lack of feeling. ScarWork initially focuses on treating the superficial layers of the skin, gently addressing any surface irregularities. However, the technique goes beyond just the skin, penetrating deeper into the underlying viscera and connective tissues. This deeper approach may result in an improvement of nerve function.
Timescales for treatment
Scars should typically be treated once the wound has fully closed and the skin has healed sufficiently to avoid irritation or infection. This usually occurs several weeks after the injury, depending on the severity and type of wound.
When dealing with relatively new scars, I would recommend allowing six to eight weeks for your body to heal properly and naturally first before starting any treatment. This initial healing period is important to ensure the area is closed and safe to interact with.
It is impossible to determine exactly how many treatments are needed, as each scar is different and it responds uniquely. However, I would recommend a minimum of four treatments to achieve optimal results.
Old scars
Although early intervention in scar tissue treatment is beneficial, it is important to understand that it is never too late to treat scars. The skin and underlying tissue retain the ability to remodel and improve even long after the initial injury or surgery occurred. This ongoing potential for change means we can seek treatment years after the scar has formed, helping to reduce discolouration, texture irregularities, and elasticity of the surrounding tissues.
Sharon Wheeler’s ScarWork®
Sharon Wheeler is a Structural Integration practitioner who learned from Ida Rolf, the founder of Rolfing. Her innovative work on scars started over 45 years ago, and it has significantly advanced the understanding and treatment of scar tissue. Through her research and practice, she has developed techniques that promote more effective healing and remodelling of the tissues. She has a busy schedule teaching and practicing all around the world. As she describes it herself:
‘ScarWork is the art of integrating scars into the fascial web… it is not just another approach to working with scars – it’s like speaking another language in the world of connective tissue’.
I had the good fortune of learning from Sharon in Munich and Seattle in 2024.
Does it hurt?
No. The ScarWork treatments are designed to be gentle and completely pain-free, ensuring your comfort throughout the process. The techniques used are completely non-invasive and gentle, ensuring they don’t cause any discomfort or irritation at all.
Aftercare
Working with scars is, in many ways, about bringing them back to the body. Many people avoid touching their scars, often feeling disgust or discomfort when they do. However, scars continue to change after treatment, and gently touching them before, during, and after the process can be beneficial. Not only does this allow you to notice shifts in appearance and texture, but it also helps reintegrate the scar into your body and mind. Rather than seeing scars as separate or alien, embracing them as part of yourself can support healing on multiple levels—physical, emotional, and psychological.
Scars and trauma
Scars are physical reminders of past injuries, but they often symbolize much deeper emotional and psychological trauma. While the skin and fascia heals and forms a scar, the experiences that caused trauma can leave lasting marks on our mental well-being. Working with the scars is a holistic process, addressing both the visible scars and the invisible wounds. With skilful bodywork and compassionate approach we can restore balance, resilience, and a sense of peace beyond our scars.
Transforming scars into superpowers
Scars tell stories of survival, resilience, and growth. When you release the physical and emotional weight they carry, you unlock powerful healing that resonates throughout the entire body. Transforming your scars isn’t just about overcoming pain—it’s about reclaiming your energy, restoring balance, and unleashing a newfound strength that radiates from within. I cherish the opportunity of guiding my clients through this profound journey of release and renewal, helping them turn old wounds into vibrant sources of empowerment and well-being.
