What are scars?

Scars are produced following an injury to the skin and underlying tissue. They can be superficial or deep and result from the natural biological process of wound repair. The scar tissue is composed of collagen fibres which makes it strong but there are fewer elastin fibres (which give flexibility).  In addition the collagen fibres are laid down in a more linear direction than the natural random cross-linking fibres of healthy tissue. Any significant lesion to the body will result in scarring of some description.  

Scar tissue can become adhered to underlying structures causing restriction or tugging which can have far reaching consequences to other areas of the body .  They can be raised, puckered or uneven . There can be holes underneath the scar or ridges of mismatched tissue.  On other levels people can feel disconnected from the scar area - this can be a physical and emotional reaction to the events which led to the scarring in the first place.

The work I do with scars is not about trying to make the scar disappear (although outward appearances of superficial scars can change significantly) but more to do with encouraging the area to re-assimilate into the surrounding fascial network.  This is done by mobilising and softening the thickened scar tissue.