Massage After Surgery

As surgeries heal, scar tissue develops and adhesions can form.  Adhesions and excess scarring can limit movement and functioning.  This can then cause muscle tightness and compensations that, in turn, cause further pain and dysfunction.  

Massage therapy is very effective in managing the development of scar tissue.  In fact, doctors often instruct patients to massage their scars after surgery.  There are specific techniques that help your body create the most functional scar possible.  By functional scar, I mean a scar that offers both mobility and stability in the injured area.

The technique used for scar tissue release is a gentle treatment of the connective tissue.  New scars and adhesions are very responsive to this manual therapy.  When your wound has healed, ask your doctor for the Okay to receive massage and bodywork.  If he or she has questions, I'd be happy to talk with them about this work.

You may find that after surgery, you feel aches and pains in other areas of your body.  When you are protecting an injury, you move differently.  This compensation and guarding often continues after you have healed because you've learned new patterns of movement.  Massage and bodywork help your body re-learn comfortable posture and movement.

>>> Find out more about what to expect at your first session

>>> Back to the Additional Benefits of Massage page

>>> Hours & Location

Home  |  Site Map  |  About Rachel  |  Contact Rachel

This site last updated 25 October 2007                                                                   © 2004-2007 Rachel Ouillette