Scar Integration
What is Scar Integration?
Scar Integration is a three level approach to manual therapy for scars. I work on the scar tissue itself, fully rehabilitate the area where the scar formed, and reintegrate the scar and the area surrounding it with the rest of the body.
Scar Integration is based on Sharon Wheeler’s Fascial Work: her ScarWork to address the scar itself, her BoneWork, and Structural Integration material to help rehabilitate the area from the trauma which caused the scar and reintegrate the whole body structure. I have done specialist training in working with the head and pelvis.
“Scar massage” has to be done within 2 years of injury (during the “remodelling” phase of healing), but ScarWork is just as effective on scars which are many decades old. Because of this, there is often a need for a full reintegration of the area as your body has found long term ways of coping with limitations.
Scar Integration is a three level approach to manual therapy for scars. I work on the scar tissue itself, fully rehabilitate the area where the scar formed, and reintegrate the scar and the area surrounding it with the rest of the body.
Scar Integration is based on Sharon Wheeler’s Fascial Work: her ScarWork to address the scar itself, her BoneWork, and Structural Integration material to help rehabilitate the area from the trauma which caused the scar and reintegrate the whole body structure. I have done specialist training in working with the head and pelvis.
“Scar massage” has to be done within 2 years of injury (during the “remodelling” phase of healing), but ScarWork is just as effective on scars which are many decades old. Because of this, there is often a need for a full reintegration of the area as your body has found long term ways of coping with limitations.
Kintsugi is the Japanese art of mending pottery with lacquer and gold. The repair is seen as an essential part of the item's beauty. Impermanence and imperfection are a natural part of life. Repair by Japanese artisan Natsuyo Watanabe. © www.Tsugi.de
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When To Treat a Scar
We all have scars, and, while many of these scars are not terribly important, some are. It is worth treating your scar if:
To be suitable for work, your scar must be healed (so 6-8 weeks in most cases). If you were under medical supervision you need to have been discharged. There is no upper limit on when scars can be effectively treated. I do not work on people with active cancer. |
What can you expect?
Most people find the experience of Scar Integration work relaxing and enjoyable. Scar Integration work frequently has three main types of benefit:
Most people find the experience of Scar Integration work relaxing and enjoyable. Scar Integration work frequently has three main types of benefit:
- Improved function – softening of the scar tissue, better joint movement, mobility and improved muscular tone, improved fluid flow in the area (blood, lymph, interstitial fluid), less pain and sensitivity.
- Improved appearance – even though it’s not important for some people, it is a sign of improved tissue quality. For other people, changes in appearance can be very significant and make a big difference.
- Emotional change - this is normally simply the result of the first two kinds of change: you may no longer dislike touching or seeing the scar. For some people there may be greater emotional change tied to the cause of the scar.
Before treatment. This scar was formed nearly 45 years ago from a fall as a small child.
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One hour later. Both the scar and surrounding skin quality changed and the changes have held.
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