C-Section Scars: Could This Be Causing Your Pain and Discomfort?
Before I get in to the “sciency stuff” related to scar tissue, I first have to speak from the heart… I will go in to all the details regarding some of the restrictions scar tissue can create and what you can do about it but before I do, I just have to say…
Your scars are beautiful. No really, they are! I know many of you don’t think so. We hear it a lot from women here at Shift PT… “I hate my scar!” (usually in reference to a c-section scar or surgical scar) “I looks and feels so gross.”
Know that I hear you. Know that I get it… but I don’t see the “gross”. I see the story behind the scar. I see the strong woman who brought their baby in to this world via C-Section. I see the incredible woman who experienced an exploratory surgery to get answers regarding her health. I see women who are BRAVE, INSPIRATIONAL, and incredibly STRONG that now carry a mark on their body that tells a story.
You are beautiful… Now read that again to yourself. YOU. ARE. BEAUTIFUL.
Alright, now that you know that you are beautiful (scars and all), let’s talk about how scar tissue can actually cause pain or discomfort…
Now when I say scars, I do mean all scars, however in this blog I will be referencing mostly scarring that has occurred following a C-Section (or multiple c-sections) and other abdominal scarring (think gall bladder and appendix removal) but know that scar tissue is scar tissue no matter where it might be in the body.
Scar tissue is our bodies way of repairing itself following an injury to the skin, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Scar tissue is made up of a protein called collagen. The collagen that forms to create your scar is fibrous, and does not have much movement or elasticity.
Scars can appear very different from person to person. Some scars are flat, some are bumpy, and some are thick in some areas and thin in other areas. There are multiple explanations for why a scar might look different.
What was the injury that produced the scar? What is from surgery where a surgical tool was used or was it a fall (other trauma)?
How many times has the site of the scar been cut in to? This is common with multiple C-Sections in which the same scar is used.
Collagen production differs with each person. Some individuals over produce collagen creating scarring to be thicker and raised.
What is the tissue under the scar? Is it more muscle or fat?
As you can see, there are many variables that attribute to the “look” of a scar. It is common for most of us to only think about the outward appearance of a scar, however, it is important to understand that scar tissue affects multiple layers inside of our body and it’s at these layers that we need to make sure “things are moving” and not causing pain or pulling of other structures.
The best way I can seem to describe it is this… scar tissue lays down completely unorganized. Unlike our muscle fibers that all run in the same direction, scar tissue is a “hot mess”. These intertwined fibers create restriction at multiple layers. When scar tissue continues to lay itself down it will “tack down” to underlying structures and create restrictions in our movement. Sometimes without us even realizing it.
Take a quick break and do an active exercise for me. Take one corner of the shirt you currently have on. Now twist it! Keep twisting. Almost there. Ok GOOD! Hold on to that twisted fabric. Now take a minute to think about what you are feeling. Are there areas where the shirt feels tight? Is the shirt sitting evenly on your body? Do you only feel tightness at the area that you twisted or are other areas also tight?
This is how scar tissue works. You can have a scar in the lower abdominals but feel tightness in the back, shoulder, upper abdominals, or even the pelvis.
Often times when scar tissue is not moving quite right, women will experience:
Itching or pain in the area of the scar
Urinary leakage
Low back pain
Pelvic pain
A “pooch” that won’t go away or “just doesn’t look the same.”
So what can be done to help get that scar moving?
At Shift PT, we take a hands on, gentle approach to get that scar tissue to work with you instead of against you. Different hands on techniques such as myofascial release and cross friction massage, are used to “free up” the tissue. You will then get exercises that may consist of stretching or strengthening certain areas in order to enforce and support the changes made to the scar tissue while addressing some of your pain or discomfort symptoms.
“But, my scar is 20 years old. Is there anything you can actually do?”
YES! Scar tissue is scar tissue whether it has been there for a few weeks to several years. You can improve the mobility of 20+ year old scar tissue! In fact, we often times do check the mobility of scars for our patients who have had a C-Section or abdominal surgery years ago and are now experiencing things such as urinary leakage, pain with sex, tailbone pain, etc.
Are you ready for one of the best parts to getting your scar moving??
Here it is… YOU DO NOT NEED A DOCTORS ORDER to seek treatment. We can see you at Shift PT without a doctors order. Sweet right?! We think so.
Whether you choose to come see us, (we hope you do!) or you go to another physical therapist, please be sure that you are working with a specialist who can address any other symptoms that might be occurring. While it is true that all physical therapists have general knowledge of pelvic floor conditions and scarring, a pelvic floor specialist, like Renee, can do a full evaluation and treatment of the pelvic floor and its relationship with the c-section or abdominal scar.
Reach out if you have questions. We are here for you always as a resource.
And don’t forget. YOU. ARE. BEAUTIFUL.
Written by: Jackie Giese
