ScarWork: A Novel Approach
ScarWork is a soft-touch, painless therapy that integrates scared tissues back into the fascial web. Scars, regardless of their maturity, respond quickly and easily to ScarWork treatment and the improvements are permanent. I have worked on six-week-old scars and 30-year-old scars with equal success, the age of the scar is irrelevant.
When tissue is damaged it can become dense and hard and create pain and discomfort, ScarWork restores the structure and function of the tissues by making the tissues more pliable, increasing the range of motion and creating ease in the body.
ScarWork also addresses the cosmetic appearance of scars such as tight puckers and pleats, lumps, holes, and cords, restoring a smoother look and feel, as well as relieving symptoms related to the scar such as nerve-impaired numbness and itching.
The actual disruption of the connective tissue deep to the skin from surgery is not always immediately evident based on the surface markings of a scar. An incision affects many, many layers of connective tissue and muscle deep to the surface scar. Even laparoscopic surgeries invade and damage the tissue deep to the tiny incision.
Through the connective tissue matrix of fascia that covers the entire body it is possible that an incision in the abdomen, can create fascial torsion, and lead to local and distant fascial disruption that creates pain the lower back, shoulder, knee, or neck.
When we work with fascia, full body changes are made, and wellbeing is restored.
The Science
Scars and the hard, dense tissue that often forms around the scar can have a negative effect on movement and overall health. The incision weakens the connective tissue and fascia and damages its integrity and the enclosed blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatic tissues therein. When the tissue becomes disorganized, densified, fibrosed and immobile the tissues natural gliding function is impaired, creates internal friction resulting in inflammation, swelling, and increased levels of hyaluronic and lactic acid, which leads to pain and discomfort.
The History
To date scar tissue has been treated by attempting to break down the tissue, by cupping or Gua Sha (scrapping); however, ScarWork is a novel and very different methodology based on the concept of bringing the tissue back together. Bodyworkers across the globe are only just bringing this new method into practice. I am one of about 10,000 US therapists trained in ScarWork.
ScarWork was developed by Sharon Wheeler, a longtime practitioner of the Dr. Ida Rolf method, who has been employing these techniques for over two decades. Sharon has also conducted critical research and made significant new contributions to the growing field of how to most effectively work with scars and scar tissue based the latest research on fascia.
Is it Safe for Cancer Survivors?
Sharon Wheeler’s research shows cancer patients experienced improvements in symptoms of itching, frequency of discomfort, sensations of numbness and overall troublesomeness and reported benefits including improved appearance, texture, mobility, wellbeing, and acceptance of scars. No serious adverse events were reported.
In my own practice, I have worked on several Cancer survivors with breast and abdominal scaring who report a softening of radiated and non-radiated skin, a flattening and smoothing of the scar, and greater pliability in the surrounding tissues, and an increased sense of spaciousness and movement.
What types of Scars apply?
· Breast reconstruction
· C-Section
· Joint replacement
· Spinal surgery
· Elective surgery
· Laparoscopic
· Just to name a few…
Benefits of ScarWork
· Promotes healing and movement which reinstates normal tissue health
· Alleviates pain and discomfort caused by tightness of scar tissue
· Increases range of movement
· Improves muscular balance and overall posture
· Improves aesthetic appearance
· Helps to restore confidence
Resources:
Trewartha, J. and Wheeler, S. (2020) Scars, Adhesions and Biotensegral Body: Science, Assessment and Treatment
Elsevier: European Journal of Integrative Medicine. (2021) An evaluation of a ScarWork service for cancer survivors experiencing adverse effects of surgery and/or radiotherapy.
Video presentation “Beyond Skin Deep: Using ScarWork to improve surgical scars for head and neck cancer survivors.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coJytQpttIo
ScarWork website research page https://scarwork.uk/resources/
It is best to begin once scar reaches 8 weeks and all stiches are removed/dissolved.
Research shows best results obtained upon completion of eight sessions.