A personal thought on scar tissue.

By Jet Rupar, LMT CMLDT EPC

Scar tissue is something that I never really thought about until the last few years. Over the last few years, I have tried to find different techniques to better serve those people who come into my office. People with chronic pain and chronic illnesses.

I took my first class on scar tissue in a weekend retreat several years ago, and it was very informative. It went very in dept on what scar tissue is, what it looks like versus healthy tissue, and what problems it can cause. As well as how to work with people who have scar tissue.

After several years of working on folks who were having some issues with scar tissue, I found a class that I ended up feeling like I absolutely needed to take. It was another class on not only scar tissue work, but manual lymphatic drainage using a technique called SMRT (shortened form for Spontaneous muscle release technique, which is a gentle technique that allows the muscles to relax without using lots of pressure). It was during this class that the depth of my understanding of scar tissue came into being.

Back history: I’ve been suffering from abdominal pain for years, and no matter what tests were run, nothing wrong was found. The doctors just don’t know. I would just have to control the symptoms through being mindful of my diet and exercise, caffeine and alcohol intake, etc.

Fast forward back to this class. One of the first things our teacher asks is if any of us has had any kind of surgery. Everyone raised their hands, and we went around discussing what we’ve gone through. Many other folks have had some kind of abdominal surgery (my own gallbladder’s been removed), and many have had some kind of pain or issue. It is here that we get told just how unseen and far reaching, internally speaking, scar tissue can become. And that it doesn’t show up on CT Scans or MRI’s. After some other discussion, we start working on each other, getting the much wanted hands on experience.

Folks, my life changed for the better. After a 20 minute session, I didn’t have the pain for days. And I myself continue the abdominal work that was started on that day. I continue because that scar tissue won’t go away, however, I can continue to keep it soft, malleable, so that the pain stays as minimal as possible.

I have learned that I love working with scar tissue. Because working with my own has been life changing. And honestly, this is why I got into massage therapy. Helping myself work through issues to better serve others who are dealing with these same issues.

Scars are like icebergs – what you see on the surface is not always an accurate representation of what is happening below.  “Scar tissue: not breakable, but changeable” Catherine Ryan