To begin this topic, I must clarify that there are different types of scar tissue. In this article, we are not discussing removing a scar for aesthetic reasons, rather, we raise a more complicated question: Can scar tissue from an acute injury be removed from Massage, Osteopathy, Acupuncture, or other manual therapy methods?
First, I must paint a picture about scar tissue. Scar tissue is a collagen like structure. When an injuries occurs, the body gets desperate. It starts laying down a criss-cross mish mash mess of collagen, in hopes to protect the area of the body from further injury.
Scar tissue is incredibly strong. The collagen runs deep and attaches to anything it can, as depicted in this photo:
Now, to answer the question of the day:
Can scar tissue from an acute injury be removed from Massage, Osteopathy, Acupuncture, or other manual therapy that methods?
The short answer is no. If someone is advertising that they offer “scar tissue removal”, I would caution you. Unless they have a scalpel and are going to cut it out (which would cause more scar tissue), this is not something that science has figured out to do through manual therapy.
Having said all of that, as manual therapists and Acupuncturists, we CAN help you with your scar tissue related issues.
You may be asking yourself: If we can’t remove scar tissue, how can we help? Remember when I mentioned that scar tissue likes to glob itself to everything? This causes the muscles to function less optimally. It leads to shortened and contracted muscles, and eventually the brain recognizes a problem in the area – and a result, sends pain signals to the local area.
Instead of scar tissue removal, I prefer the term to describe our treatment methods as “reorganizing”.
Osteopaths manipulate the scar tissue in a way that releases it from hindering surrounding tissue. It is still there, except now, the tissues are existing together without causing dysfunction and pain.
This is wonderful news, since the muscles will be overjoyed to contract and relax with ease, without being squeezed and hindered by troublesome scar tissue. It may lead to pain relief, as well.
There you have it! To summarize, scar tissue cannot be “removed”. It can be “reorganized”.
To learn more about our Acupuncture and Osteopathic methods, book a free consult in Nelson BC – to learn how our treatments may benefit you.
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Yours in health,
Monica Ander, R.TCMP, R.Ac, D.OMP
Osteopathy and Acupuncture by Monica Ander in Nelson BC 