ScarWork Therapy - A Gentle and Informed Approach to Scar Tissue

Scars are often treated as something that belongs in the past. Once the skin has healed and the area looks “fine,” we assume the body has moved on and adapted fully. And sometimes that’s true. But just as often, people notice that something doesn’t quite feel right around a scar, even years later.

There might be a sense of tightness, pulling, or restriction when moving. An area that feels numb or overly sensitive. Or a general feeling that one side of the body moves differently to the other, without an obvious reason. ScarWork therapy exists because scars are not just marks on the surface of the skin. They are living tissue, connected to deeper layers through fascia, nerves, and movement patterns, and sometimes they continue to influence the body long after the initial healing has taken place.

C-section scar

What ScarWork Therapy Is and How It Works

ScarWork therapy is a gentle, hands-on approach to working with scar tissue following surgery, injury, or trauma to the skin. The work is slow, precise, and intentionally light. This often surprises people, especially if they expect scar work to involve deep pressure or forceful techniques.

The aim is not to break down tissue or push the body to change. Instead, ScarWork supports the body by encouraging the tissue around a scar to become more mobile, responsive, and comfortable again. This can help improve how the scar integrates with the surrounding structures and how the body moves as a whole.

ScarWork therapy may support:

• improved movement and ease around the scar area

• reduced sensations of pulling or tightness

• better circulation and tissue hydration

• a calmer response from the nervous system around the scar

Although the work is subtle, the effects can be meaningful, especially when combined with other forms of massage or movement-based therapy.

Why Scar Tissue Can Continue to Affect the Body

When the body experiences surgery or injury, its priority is protection and repair. Scar tissue forms quickly and efficiently to close and stabilise the area. In that process, layers of tissue can bind together more firmly than before, and the nervous system adapts to keep the area safe.

Over time, this can influence how the surrounding muscles, joints, and fascia move. Scar tissue may limit glide between layers, alter posture or movement patterns, or change sensation in ways that are not always obvious or painful, but still noticeable.

This is common with surgical scars such as C-sections, abdominal or orthopaedic surgery, but it can also occur with older injuries or accidents. Even scars that are many years old can still respond to gentle, informed work, as the tissue remains adaptable throughout life.

What to Expect During a ScarWork Session

ScarWork therapy is always guided by consent, comfort, and clear communication. Before any hands-on work begins, there is space to talk about the scar, how it feels, and how it may be affecting your movement or daily life.

During the session, the work may involve:

• light contact on and around the scar

• gentle stretching of the surrounding tissue

• slow, specific movements that allow the tissue to respond

• pauses that give the nervous system time to settle

The work should never feel overwhelming or painful. Many people notice changes in sensation, warmth, or softness in the area, and some report improvements in movement or comfort over time. ScarWork can be appropriate for both newer scars (once the skin has healed fully) and older scars.

Who ScarWork Therapy May Be Helpful For

ScarWork therapy may be useful if you:

• have a scar that still feels tight, uncomfortable, or restricted

• notice pulling or limitation with certain movements

• experience numbness or altered sensation around a scar

• feel imbalance or compensation elsewhere in the body

• want to address scar tissue in a calm, respectful way

ScarWork is often integrated into massage therapy, myofascial release, or sports massage, depending on your needs and how your body presents on the day.

Supporting the Body Over Time

At Orchard Sports Massage in Welwyn Garden City, ScarWork therapy is approached with patience and care. There is no expectation that change should be dramatic or immediate. Often, progress is gradual and layered, as the body adjusts at its own pace.

The focus is on helping you feel more comfortable and at ease in your body, supporting movement, and reducing unnecessary tension or restriction related to scar tissue. If you are curious about whether a scar might still be influencing how you move or feel, that curiosity is often a good place to start.