There a a wide range of physical effects associated with scars of all kinds but in this blog we are specifically focusing on caesarean scars.
How do you feel about your caesarean section scar…Does it bother you? Have you forgotten that its even there? Is it painful or uncomfortable?
According to NHS statistics in 2019-2020 there were 79,344 elective caesarean births and 101,706 other/emergency caesarean births, that’s a total of 181,050 incredible women (in English hospitals) giving birth to their beautiful babies via caesarean section…that’s a whole lot of scars!
Post c-section we are told how to keep the wound clean, not to do too much too soon and not to lift anything heavy so that we do not put stress and pressure on the wound delaying the healing process. What we are not educated about is the impact that a scar and its surrounding scar tissue can have on the body if left untreated.
The impact of scaring on the body is massively underrated and often we are not aware of the effect that the scaring has on us mentally, physically and in most cases, mentally AND physically.
Research has found that when a scar is left untreated it may be ‘the cause of therapeutic failure and recurrence’ (“Clinical Importance of Active Scars: Abnormal Scars as a Cause of Myofascial Pain.” Lewit & Olanska – 2002). This means that if the actual scar and surrounding scar tissue is left to its own devices it will cause problems such as discomfort, pain, mobility issues and more not just in and around the scar itself but in other areas of the body to and no matter what kind of therapy you use (massage, physiotherapy, osteopathy etc) to improve and get rid of these sensations it will not be effective unless the scar and surrounding scar tissue is treated first.
Some of the physical effects you might experience weeks, months or even years down the line once your scar has healed include:
- Pain in or around the scar as well as in other areas of the body
- Discomfort
- A pulling or tugging sensation around the wound
- Over sensitivity on or around the scar
- Loss of feeling on or around the scar
- Lower back pain
- Restrictions or pain when bending and flexing the spine
- Bladder and bowl problems
It has been found that treatment of the scar and its surrounding scar tissue can improve and in some cases eliminate these effects making things more comfortable for the mama.
Scar therapy is not just for caesarean section scars but this is the common scar I work with, some of the other scars I have worked on have included spinal scars, knees scars, ankle scars and more!
What’s incredible is that it doesn’t matter how old the scar is, this treatment can work on scars of all ages and make a huge difference to the effects the individual has been experiencing sometimes for years! The older the scar the more dense the scar tissue is likely to be and the more treatment the individual may require, however, assessment and a individual treatment plan is put into place for each person depending on what they want to achieve from their sessions as well as the extent of the scar tissue below the surface. Many clients feel a difference in their scar, the surrounding tissues and their body as a whole after just one treatment and by the end of their treatments are able to feel less pain, less physical effects of the scar and feel a freedom in the way that they move that they had lost since having surgery.
Have you got a scar?
Tell me what physical effects that you have experienced as a result of it, I would love to know! Tell me in the comments below!
If you would like to discuss your scar and how it is impacting you, your body and your life drop me an email and lets chat to see if this treatment could help you improve the effects you are experiencing, email me at hello@babyandmelincoln.co.uk
If you would like to book an appointment please click HERE.
Learn more about MSTR (McLoughlin Scar Tissue Release) HERE.
