C-sections are major abdominal surgeries and C-Section scar care is essential to help reduce dysfunction in the area. A great way to help with post c-section tissue healing is to massage your scar. Aftercare for the developing scar tissue should be best practice in this country, but unfortunately is not.

When a c-section is performed a number of different tissue layers must be cut. Six to be specific: skin, fat, fascia, abdominal muscles (separated, not cut), peritoneum, and the uterus. This means that any layers cut must also be repaired. When tissue is repaired it will eventually heal and create scar tissue. These incisions and potential scar tissue can result in numbness, pain, tension, pulling, hypersensitivity and overall dysfunction of the abdominal wall.
Before beginning c-section scar massage, please make sure that your incision is completely healed. This usually occurs around 6 weeks postpartum but be sure to check with your OB provider to be sure.

Touch Your Scar

Divide your scar into quarters. Assess the qualities in each quarter by using two fingers. Push and pull your fingers in different directions, allowing your body to get used to the sensation.

Move Your Scar

Use two fingers to move your scar. Slowly push and pull your fingers in different directions, paying attention to how thick your scar is and how tense the tissue is. Move your fingers up/down and right/left noticing if the tissue moves better in one direction or another. Do this in each quarter.

Treat Your Scar

Direct Techniques

Using two fingers, deliver gentle pressure by pushing or pulling the tissue into the path of most resistance. Hold for 7-10 seconds and move to another area.

Indirect Techniques

Using two fingers, deliver gentle pressure by pushing or pulling the tissue into the path of least resistance. Hold for 7-10 seconds and move to another area.

Active Techniques

Using two fingers, apply gentle pressure into the path of. most resistance while taking deep, full core breaths. Repeat this 5 times and move on to another area. This can also be done while incorporating a variety of stretches.

Frequency

Complete these C-Section scar care routines daily while in the shower to help improve mobility and potentially decrease numbness as well. If your scar is sensitive to the touch, gently massage it with a washcloth or loofa in a circular motion.

C-Section scar massage and other abdominal tissue techniques can be performed by a specially trained Doctor of Chiropractic or Licensed Massage Therapist as well. Andrea Pazda, LMT and myself have additional training to help with more advanced cases. If you have any questions after giving these routines a try, send me an email at [email protected].