Formation of scar tissue is common after an injury, infection, or even a surgical procedure. As healing occurs, dense collagen fibers form as one’s body repairs the affected area. Because scar tissue is less elastic than normal tissue, it can cause pain and loss of range of motion in and around the location of the injury. Scar tissue pain can be consistent over time, or it can go away and reemerge months or years later. Fortunately, there are chiropractic treatments that can minimize discomfort arising from old scar tissue.
What Causes Old Scar Tissue to Hurt?
Scar tissue pain can arise from a variety of causes, including adhesion formation, inflammation, nerve impingement, and even changes in the weather. This can cause pain from restricted movement, as well as referred pain in other areas of the body.
Can Old Scar Tissue Be Massaged Away?
Massage and other manipulation therapies can’t eradicate scar tissue, but they can bring significant relief from the discomfort it causes. Massage is a drug-free way to relieve pain, break up adhesions, improve circulation, and stimulate healthier collagen production in areas of scarring.
How Do You Break Up Old Scar Tissue?
Old scar tissue can be broken up with massage, stretching, physical therapy, and other treatment modalities. At Total Chiropractic, we often suggest trigger point therapy to improve blood flow, break down adhesions, release tightness, and relieve other symptoms caused by scar tissue.
Trigger point therapy, also known as myofascial release, addresses knots or areas of spasm in muscles and surrounding tissue. It can also treat trigger point pain arising from scarring and adhesions.
During trigger point therapy, pressure is applied to trigger points, either manually or with specialized tools. This releases tension, breaks down scar tissue, improves blood flow, stimulates healthier collagen production, and realigns tissue fibers.
When Is It Too Late to Massage Scar Tissue?
It’s rarely too late to undergo trigger point or massage therapy for scar tissue. That said, the sooner one begins treatment after the initial wound or injury has healed, the better the outcome. Starting traditional or trigger point massage several weeks after healing promotes circulation and prevents the formation of excess scar tissue in the affected area.
When older scar tissue becomes an issue, massage and trigger point therapy can still reduce tightness and discomfort, even after many years. It may also improve tissue flexibility and range of motion in nearby joints.
Improve Comfort and Restore Flexibility with Chiropractic Treatment
Whether you are recovering from a recent injury or dealing with old scar tissue, Total Chiropractic Care and Wellness offers massage, trigger point therapy, and other chiropractic care to help you improve your comfort level and maintain or restore tissue flexibility. We’d love to meet with you and work together to figure out what treatment plan makes the most sense for you to live your optimal life! To learn more or get started, contact us today!