How can I help my c-section scar naturally?
How can I help my C-Section scar naturally?
A Caesarean section AKA C-section helped you bring your baby into the world. And while it’s a remarkable surgery, it leaves a scar and many feelings associated with that scar.
If your scar healed well and doesn’t bother you, that’s awesome! But if you’re one of the many people who feel like your scar is lumpy or bumpy, or you feel like your abdominals aren’t as strong or your pelvic floor has been affected by your scar, then this blog is for you.
But first, what is a c-section scar?
A ‘scar’ is made from special tissue that your body makes to repair wounds. It’s different from the tissue that was there before because the body can’t make new muscle or skin, instead it fills the area in with scar tissue. When you get a C-section, your doctor has to cut through nine layers of different tissues including muscles, skin and fat tissue, before they reach the uterus. Each of these layers will need to heal with scar tissue.
Each of the nine layers is different, so it can be hard for the body to get it perfect the first time around. You may have heard of the term ‘scar tissue remodelling’. This is the process the body goes through to get the scar to work better with the tissues (skin, muscles etc.) that are surrounding it.
In the early stages of healing, your body lays down the scar tissue as fast as possible to repair the area. Once it has closed the wound, it spends day, weeks, months (or sometimes years!) editing and re-arranging the scar tissue to get it ‘just right’.
That’s where YOU come in. You can help your body to speed up the process of making the scar better. Massage is one of the ways you can do this. Many people are taught to worry about what the scar looks like on the surface, but it’s important to note what the scar feels like (if this stresses you out, see our blog on ‘tips if your c-section scar makes you feel sick’).
How a scar feels is important because tight, bumpy or lumpy scars can affect the tissues around them. If your scar isn’t moving well it may affect the abdominals muscles, which can have flow-on affects to the pelvic floor and back muscles.
Why does it matter how my scar feels?
How a scar feels is important because tight, bumpy or lumpy scars can affect the tissues around them. If your scar isn’t moving well it may affect the abdominals muscles, which can have flow-on affects to the pelvic floor and back muscles.
When should I start massaging my C-section scar?
As a general guide, you should give yourself at least 6 weeks before you start c-section scar massage. You may need longer if you had an infection or your scar hasn’t properly healed. Remember that everyone’s healing time is different so if your scar is new, it’s best to check with your healthcare provider before you start massaging your scar.
How can massage help your C-section Scar?
Improve circulation and healing: Scar massage increases blood flow to the area, which can increase the oxygen and nutrient delivery to scar tissue as well as removing any waste products that your body makes during healing. Increased circulation is important for all types of healing and has been shown to create a softer, more mobile scar.
Reduce Scar Tissue Adhesions: As the body heals, adhesions can form that create tightness and limit mobility of the scar. Adhesions are areas where one part of the scar attaches to the layers above or below it. Although we see the scar on the outside of our body, remember that there are multiple layers of muscle and fat beneath the scar. Each layer should be able to slide and glide over the layer above or below it, but adhesions can restrict this movement.
Regular scar massage aids in the breakdown of these adhesions, allowing our body re-organise the cells that form the scar tissue and align them better.
Reduce Discomfort and Sensitivity: Caesarean scars can be sensitive and painful, especially in the early phases of healing. Gentle massage is thought to stimulate the nerve endings, desensitising the scar tissue and reducing pain.
Improve abdominal and core movement: At Pivot Osteopathy we regularly see people who feel like their core muscles aren’t strengthening or their diastasis is not improving, despite doing all the correct exercises. In our experience we’ve found that addressing poor mobility in caesarian scars can be really helpful to improve overall core engagement.
Will my C-section scar ever be flat?
Every scar and every person is different. Have a look at the other scars on your body. If they have not healed flat then you may be a person whose scars do not heal flat. Regardless of whether your other scars heal flat or you naturally have raised scars, it’s important to ensure that the movement around your scar is as good as it can be. And if the movement is better, the immune system can do its best to get your scar to look as good as possible. Another reason to do some massage on or around the scar!
I can’t touch my C-section scar - what should I do?
So you know you should massage your scar, but the thought of massaging your scar makes you feel icky or squeamish. We know that scars can be confronting, so check out other posts in this series to see tips for how to connect with and massage your c-section scar.
As always, if you have any issues reach out to us or book now
Disclaimer: This blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no practitioner/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this blog or materials linked from this blog is at the user's own risk. The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard, or delay in obtaining, medical advice for any medical condition they may have, and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.