5 problems that could be caused by your c-section scar:
Your c-section scar has healed beautifully following the birth of your baby…brilliant!
But then a few years later, further down the line you start getting some seemingly random issues occurring and can’t put it down to anything in particular.
They can’t be related to your c-section scar though, because that was years ago.
So, what is likely to be causing them?
These ‘seemingly random’ issues could be caused or worsened by your c-section scar and scar tissue.
Scars can take a full 2 years to mature. This means that many issues often set in later down the line, which can make it hard to link the problem you are experiencing right now, back to your c-section scar from 5 years ago (understandably!)
Clients I support through scar therapy in my Lincolnshire based clinic are often astounded that following a course of scar therapy treatments many of the physical symptoms they have been experiencing are reduced and in some cases gone completely.
A scar can have an impact on your whole body, both mentally and physically.
The 5 most common physical symptoms of c-section scar tissue that my clients come to me with are:
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Lower back and referred joint pain.
Scar tissue can be responsible for causing pain around in your lower back and joints. Most commonly the hips, shoulders, knees and jaw can be affected. As your scar matures you may notice that certain movements feel restricted, difficult or limited which can in turn impact your posture and the way your body carry’s out movement. This may be down to adhesions created around your abdominal area impacting the way your joints move and discomfort you experience.
Adhesions act a bit like Velcro and stick to internal structures such as your internal organs, bones and muscles preventing normal movement between the tissues in your body. This can lead to numerous problems including referred pain around the body.
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Urgency to urinate.
Ever had that feeling where you get the sudden urge to pee?! If you have adhesions that have attached to your bladder you may experience this sensation on a regular basis. As you move it ‘tugs’ on your bladder creating that familiar urge to need to pee NOW! Don’t just cross your legs and hope the Tena pads do their job…this could be a good indication to get some scar therapy and address the root cause!
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Heavy/painful periods.
If you did not experience heavy, painful periods prior to your caesarean, scar tissue could be the cause. Scar tissue adhesions can build up outside of the uterus and reproductive organs causing pain, heavy periods and even impact fertility.
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Pain when emptying bowels/bloating
Nobody likes to talk about their bowels BUT pain and discomfort prior to or during emptying your bowels can be a sign that scar tissue is causing problems in this area. Many of my clients find they experience this and as soon as they have done their business the pain, discomfort and bloating has gone until the next time.
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Numbness or hypersensitivity.
Injury to the skin can cause temporary, and in some cases, permanent damage to the nerve endings around your scar. This can leave the surrounding area to be totally numb initially, which should improve, leaving smaller patches of numbness on/around your scar.
On the other hand, some mums find their scar is hypersensitive and every little touch to the area can feel painful and uncomfortable. This can leave you with a constant awareness or fear of anything going near your scar from your knickers rubbing against it to your baby kicking it as you pick them up.
Have you ever experienced any of these symptoms?
If so, it may be worth exploring them with a specialist scar therapist to see if it could be related to a scar you have, regardless of the age of your scar…you never know, it may just be the root cause and give you the relief you so badly need.
It is often the case that many women become so used to living with these common issues. Many have accepted them as their new version of normal and it isn’t until it is no longer a problem that they realise how much it was impacting their life. In many cases my clients who come into my clinic and commit to their treatment plan see vast improvements in all of these symptoms (and more!)
I recommend starting your treatment off with an Initial Scar Consultation which combines a health consultation, scar assessment and short treatment to figure out what is going on under the surface. Following this we will work together to find a treatment plan that works for you that will get you the results and relief you desire (if needed). My c-section scar therapy treatments are carried out in my clinic based in Metheringham, Lincoln. You can book your initial appointment HERE.
If you cannot commit to regular treatments, I can support you by getting you started with a scar treatment package to assess your scar and provide you with the tools and resources you will need to carry out your own scar care and massage plan at home. You can check this out HERE.
Finally, if you are to far away to come in for an in person appointment, check out my online scar massage programme designed especially for c-section mamas to do in your own time in your own home. This c-section scar massage mini course will lay out a 6 week scar massage plan with video demos of the techniques you will use during your scar massage plan along with gentle and simple techniques to use in the early days to help you feel more comfortable with your c-section recovery. Read more about my self paced online c-section scar massage plan HERE.
