Why massaging your C-section is important!

This weeks blog is brought to you by Sam Williams at Sam Massage Therapy in Lanarkshire. Sam attended classes with me in pregnancy and postnatally with her wee boy Campbell 10 years ago. Since having Campbell she is my go to gal in Lanarkshire with antenatal and postnatal massage and is the mostly highly recommended massage therapist in her field in Lanarkshire. We are so lucky to have her on our doorstep.

'I never realised massaging your C-Section was a thing!', something that clients say to me all the time.  The good news is that the idea of proactively massaging your scar is becoming more widespread and not just on social media; midwives, health visitors and doctors are recommending scar massage as part of your recovery.  With over a third (37.6%) of singleton births in Scotland for the year ending March 22 being via caesarean section (c section) it is just as well that we start empowering women with how to help their bodies in the longer term.

So why massage your C-Section scar? 

Women often find that their scar and the area above feels either completely numb, a lack of sensation, or overly sensitive.  Regularly massaging can help stimulate the nerves and normalise the sensation in the area.  It can also reduce that feeling of tightness and discomfort, and improve the long term outcomes of how the scar heals and looks.

But for many women, simply saying 'massage your scar' is much easier said than done.  My clients often come to me because they don't know if they are doing it right, they are scared to touch the scar, or simply that the thought of going near the scar gives them the 'heebie jeebies'

So here are my top tips for self massage:

·Only massage once the wound has fully closed over and there is no redness or heat.  For many people this is between 4-6 weeks post c section, but it may take longer.  If you suspect an infection speak to your medical team as soon as possible – the quicker an infection is dealt with, generally the better the outcome for the scar.

·The single best thing you can do for your scar is apply moisturiser at least once a day.  Scars love to be hydrated, and you can use the opportunity of applying the moisturiser to do a little massage.

·If you have loss of sensation then start above the scar where you have full feeling and work gradually down using the same pressure. Go GENTLY.

·Massage should include the area above the scar as well as on the scar (think scar to belly button).

·Start by simply stroking the area, as if your lower abdomen (tummy) was your favourite pet.

·If you are ready to progress from stroking, then gently press the skin onto the tissues below and move these tissues, exploring the area.  Slowly 'play the piano' across the area, or draw little circles always moving the skin over the tissues below rather than drawing a circle directly on the skin.

·If it feels uncomfortable, painful, or gives you the 'heebie jeebies' then stop!  Your body isn't ready yet, but you can retry in a couple of weeks.

·Massaging should be intuitive - don't overthink it!

As a Scar Work practitioner I can help you on your healing journey.  Getting a full assessment of the scar is really beneficial and can guide you with your recovery, giving you the reassurance you need.  The scar work itself is a very gentle form of therapy which I combine with other hands on work and the use of the LymphaTouch, a medical grade device which uses negative pressure to help fluid movement in the tissues.  The work do I can help:

·     Improve the look and feel of the scar and the surrounding tissues.  This treatment  includes working on deeper layers where adhesions may form. 

·     Give the scar the best long term outcome, I assess the whole body to ensure that there are no excess tensions being put through the scar, as this can result in excess scar tissue, tightness and twinges.

·     You feel confident touching and interacting with your scar.

·     Reduce discomfort and tightness which you may feel with certain movements.

·     Diastasis recti rehab, as the scar may be a contributing factor.

·     Reduce lower back pain, bladder and bowel issues, or pain on intercourse, which may be caused by deeper tensions caused by the scar.

·     The area feel like you again.

·     With the emotional side of your birth story.

·     Take back control over your physical and mental wellbeing.

Scar work is often combined with general massage because the scar is more than just the area – it's about the whole body.  And massage is so beneficial, restorative and simply lovely during the postnatal period when your body is adapting to a complete change in life.

So when should you start scar work? 

Whilst you may be interacting with your scar and starting some massage from as early as 4 weeks when it has fully healed, I can do an assessment and gentle work from 6 weeks onwards as long as there has been no issues or complications with the healing.  From around 10 weeks onwards, if the body is ready, then I can start gentle deeper work.  Being proactive is good, but having said this people come to me months if not years after surgery and still see and feel positive changes.

Further information can be found on www.SamMassageTherapy.co.uk or on Facebook . Sam is based in Drumsagaard and East Kilbride but covers both North and South Lanarkshire mums.