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October 19, 2005

Massaging Scar Tissue

A client injures their leg water-skiing. There is a bruise down the back of the thigh that matches semitendinosus. After two weeks, the bruising is across the knee and down into the calf area.

The first time I saw this injury, I said no way would I work in this area because of all the bruising, but I did suggest some lymph drainage to reduce swelling and encourage the white blood cells into the tissue to speed healing.

After two weeks, I checked the attachments of the hamstring at the ischial tuberosity where no bruising had occurred. Not surprising, the attachments felt bunched up and were tender. I worked extremely gently in this area, making sure not to hurt my client. They got off the table feeling like they could move better and with less pain.

They reported no problem with the work the following week. In subsequent weeks, we did more lymph drainage therapy to move the old blood out of the wound. I also worked on the opposite leg because it was carrying majority of the responsibility for locomotion. I also worked the hips to keep the client balanced.

I waited six weeks before working directly on the injured tissue as this is the standard wait for injuries and surgeries to heal. The client was still tender in the area below the knee and the tissue felt thick and congested. I worked in this area to break up scar tissue that was forming.

When scar tissue forms around an injury site, it is never as strong as the tissue it replaces. It also has a tendency to contract and deform the surrounding tissues, so not only is the strength of the tissue diminished, but flexibility of the tissue is also compromised.

To remove the unwanted scar tissue it is vital that you start a course of deep tissue sports massage. Concentrate your effort at the direct point of injury, and use your thumbs to get in as deep as possible to break down the scar tissue.

I called the client the next day to ask how they fared after their treatment. The area was very sore, as I had warned it would be, but no bruising had occurred. I will wait until now more tenderness exists in the injury area before attempting a second treatment on their scar tissue.

Posted by linda at October 19, 2005 10:18 PM