Originally published on May 28, 2024 by Vital Physiotherapy & Wellness, now part of the Bravella Health network. Original author: Vital Staff.
Both Vaginal and cesarean births bring life into this world and each one has its own unique considerations for recovery! One of the common questions we get at Vital is how to properly care for a c-section scar. Cesarean births are major abdominal surgeries and scars come in all shapes and sizes. Healing from c-section, both physically and emotionally, takes time and support![1]
Many of our clients report that they are reluctant to look at or even touch their c-section scar. At Vital, it is our goal to empower you to connect with your body, find strength your inner strength, and learn to love your beautiful body all over again, and sometimes, for the first time! We can help you reconnect to your body and c-section scars through physical therapy, therapeutic touch or massage therapy.
After a c-section you may feel disconnected from your body. Retraining your nervous system and brain- body connection is an important part of your physical recovery.
Many studies show that massage therapy can reduce the appearance of scars, as well as improve muscle function and tissue mobility by breaking down restricted movements of the scar.[2,3] This is incredibly important because scars that don’t move very well can become adhesions and end up ‘pulling’ on surrounding tissues- your abdominals, pelvic floor, hip muscles– which can actually impact their ability to function well![4]
References
- Sandall J, Tribe RM, Avery L, et al. Short-term and long-term effects of caesarean section on the health of women and children. Lancet. 2018;392(10155):1349-1357. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31930-5
- Shin TM, Bordeaux JS. The role of massage in scar management: a literature review. Dermatol Surg. 2012;38(3):414-423. doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2011.02201.x
- Wasserman JB, Steele-Thornborrow JL, Yuen JS, Halkiotis M, Riggins EM. Chronic caesarian section scar pain treated with fascial scar release techniques: a case series. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2016;20(4):906-913. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2016.02.011
- Majchrzycki M, Seremak-Mrozikiewicz A, Kulczyk A, Lipiec J. Kinesiotherapy in women after gynecological surgeries. Prz Menopauzalny. 2012;11(6):510-513. doi:10.5114/pm.2012.32548
