ScarWork
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ScarWork?
ScarWork is a light touch, hands-on treatment designed to gently release scar tissue and encourage restored movement in the surrounding area. The treatment was developed not only to improve the scar itself
but also to treat the surrounding areas where the scar may be impacting on the body.
If you have had surgery for a c-section, breast cancer surgery, or radiotherapy, ScarWork® is a valuable option. The treatment will help with discomfort by facilitating better movement in restricted areas and reduce adhesions. The results lead to a reduction of adhesions that may be causing puckering and uneven contours and reduced pain from injured nerves. The relaxing light touch work will help you to emotionally reconnect with your body.
How is your scar affecting your life?
Has the scar had an emotional impact and affected feelings around body image?
Has mastectomy surgery left you with restricted movement that has impacted on things you are doing in your everyday life?
Has this become normal to you?
Has your radiotherapy treatment left you with tightness and redness?
Has your c-section scar left lasting issues?
Do you have general discomfort or unresolved pain elsewhere in the body?
Have you learned to live with it?
Consider the possibility of your scar having less impact on all these things; not only improving the way these issues affect you in your day-to-day life, but also having a positive improvement on your quality of life.
ScarWork is for you!
What can I expect to see and how might I feel?
After a ScarWork session, you will usually feel a tangible change in the texture of the scar.
Movement may feel less restricted and function of the area may be restored. The area as a whole may look less pulled or caught-up and puckered. This is due to the treatment loosening the adhesions that start to form over time as the body attempts to repair itself.
How many treatments might I need?
The number of treatments you need will be influenced by the size, age and history of your scar.
A consultation will determine a treatment plan, however a course of treatments is suggested for successful results and sustained improvement. Initially a course of 6 treatments is suggested, to be reviewed.
I suggest an initial weekly treatment for the first two sessions followed by a two-week gap in order for the changes to settle.
Who will benefit from ScarWork?
Adhesions from scar formation typically begin to form within the first few days after surgery, but may not produce symptoms for months or even years.
Scars of all ages will benefit and all types of scars can be treated, however my professional development in ScarWork has lead much of my work to be treating scars from breast cancer surgery such as lumpectomy’s, mastectomy’s and DIEP/TRANS/Flap surgeries. Complications from implant reconstruction such as capsular contracture will also benefit.
My qualification in specialist pelvic scar is wonderfully transferable to C - section scars.
I have had surgery recently. When can I start?
This depends on the type of surgery but as a rule, treatment can start 10 weeks post-surgery and 12 weeks after radiotherapy. For complex surgeries such as DIEP flap you would be advised to wait at least 15 weeks as healing requires longer. Scars that are infected or weeping cannot be treated until the infection is cleared.
As everyone’s clinical experience is different, the history needs to be considered before a treatment start date is advised.
I dislike my scar being touched but know I will benefit. Can I have a treatment?
This is a common issue. If you are averse to the scar being touched or touching it yourself, it is still possible to have a treatment. Work starts gently away from the area where adhesions have formed and as comfort levels improve, work can progress closer to the scar. Clients often progress to feeling comfortable engaging with the area, enabling them to progress treatment by doing homework on their scars.