Specific Benefits of Massage Treatment for Burn Scars & Operation Scars
Burn scars and post-operative scars are two types of wounds that can significantly impact a person’s physical and emotional well-being. Fortunately, massage therapy has shown promising results in treating these specific types of scars, offering specific benefits that can help improve how scars look, feel and promote better healing. We start by looking at some evidence of the many massage benefits on burn marks. Then we move onto the challenges of treatment for Hypertrophic scars. Next, we look into how operation scar massage actually works in detail. After that we look into the effects scaring can have on us emotionally and how massage can also help with this. Call 07979 814388 today to book your treatment.
Simple Cost-effective Therapy for Reductions in Scar Pain & Itching
According to Elazazy H. Prof (2018) when it comes to burn scars, massage therapy can play a crucial role in reducing their visibility and improving overall healing. He goes on to say that this type of scar therapy is easy to perform, is cost effective and is non-invasive on the whole depending on where the damage is. There was evidence from 60 adult patients offered. 30 were given the therapy and 30 in a control group just given normal nursing for burn. The conclusions said it helped decrease pain, reduced itching, enhanced formation of the scar tissue and improved other characteristics. Cho Y et al (2014) confirms some of these finding in a separate study of 76 burn patients from Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Burn Center, Seoul. So, there is good evidence massage can help burn scarring.
Good Therapy for Hypertrophic Scars From Burns
Burn scars can be particularly challenging because they often result in hypertrophic scarring. That being thick, hard, raised, tight, discoloured scar tissue that can become painful to touch and itchy. This can lead to limited mobility and discomfort. However, through gentle massage techniques, the collagen fibres in the scar tissue can be manipulated, helping to break up adhesions in the facia, just under the skin and increase flexibility. The increased blood flow stimulated by massage therapy also aids in the healing process by delivering essential nutrients and oxygen to the scarred area.
How Massage Can Help With Operation Scarring
For operations and caesarean section scars (one of the most performed operations in the UK) massage therapy can help improve the appearance of the scar and alleviate any discomfort or tightness. After an operation, the incision site can become sensitive, tight, and restrictive. Villiger M. et al (2014) tells us scars are made of nodules composed of more tightly packed collagen than normal. Myofascial scar release massage therapy can gently manipulate the scar tissue, promoting a better random alignment (for added strength in the new tissue) of regular size collagen fibres, thus improving the scar’s flexibility and look.
Fortunately for recovery afterwards, operation and c-section incisions tend to be linier, a single line in most cases. This means that any therapy that takes place can include transverse strokes, across the scar tissue helping to loosen up any cells and promoting regrowth that is more like other skin. This new skin growth after treatment can reduce pulling or tightness in the affected area, allowing for more freedom of movement and a more comfortable re-healing process as new cells form.
Emotional and Well-being Effects
Both burn scars and operation scars can cause people some emotional distress. People can start to have lowered self-esteem and self-confidence when looking in the mirror or whenever they are in public and the scar might be visible. This has a marked impact on your quality of life, well-being and can even lead to social anxiety or depression. The reasons for this negative psychological impact are easy to understand. People may be thinking of being scared as a stigma, which is should not be as it is a natural part of healing. They might be grieving for the way they looked pre-injury. The scar may serve as constant reminder of a challenging, traumatic experience. They may be thinking there is no way to improve the way things look and feel. But, don’t worry massage can help on a number of fronts here.
Respected Treatment Helping With Scars & Aftereffects
Fortunately, massage therapy is renowned for providing much-needed relief and support by promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety. Also, it can improve the look of a scar and thus reduce any stigma you think it has because, it can look less prominent. The physical touch and therapeutic techniques used during massage can help release endorphins, which are natural mood enhancers. This can improve overall well-being and mental health, helping individuals to feel more confident. Massage therapists like we have here are non-judgmental and can help you to become more body positive. That being feeling emotionally comfortable in your own body.
In conclusion it is important to add that while massage can offer specific benefits for burn and operation scars, it is not a substitute for medical treatment. It should always be used as a complementary therapy in conjunction with other treatments under the guidance of your doctor or surgeon. Additionally, individual results may vary. Lastly it will take time to help you. You have to be patient. It may take multiple sessions (8 are recommended) of massage therapy to see noticeable scar improvements.
References:
Cho Y. et al (2014) The effect of burn rehabilitation massage therapy on hypertrophic scar after burn: A randomized controlled trial [online] available from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0305417914000655 last access 11/11/2023
Elazazy H. Prof (2018) Effect of Skin Rehabilitation Massage Therapy on Burned Patient’ Outcomes [online] available from https://core.ac.uk/reader/234692480 last access 10/11/2023
Kischer C. et al (1972) The Histiotypic Organization of the Hypertrophic Scar in Humans [online] available from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022202X15482247 last access 19/10/2023
Villiger M. et al (2014) An automated image processing method to quantify collagen fibre organization within cutaneous scar tissue [online] available from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/exd.12553 last access 24/11/2023
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