How Scar Release Therapy Works
Scar Release Therapy is a very safe and effective way to release tight scar tissue with the application of the Dolphin Neurostim device to deliver microcurrent electrical stimulation. This is very low voltage electricity that is the same kind of electric signaling that your body’s nervous system runs. It is essentially like holding the tip of a pen against the skin on either side of the scar, and then running a gentle current of electricity back and forth to loosen the tight scar tissue along the surface of the scar and throughout the deeper layers underneath. The Dolphin Neurostim is clinically proven to decrease the density of internal scar tissue.
A C-Section scar treatment includes working across the length of the scar as well as the entire lower abdomen to address the internal scar tissue that forms as a result of the multiple incisions made inside the abdomen during a Cesarean birth. This device is also able to stimulate acupuncture points without needles to reduce stress on the body, shifting into a relaxed healing state. A full C-Section Scar Release Therapy session combines the microcurrent stimulation with hands on massage techniques for the abdomen and scar.
What is happening beneath the surface?
A C-Section involves way more than just the scar you see on the surface! A Cesarean Birth goes through 7 layers of tissue. There are multiple incisions made internally, in multiple directions, spanning the entire lower abdomen. Everything that has been cut, pulled apart, and moved internally gets healed back together with scar tissue, so your entire lower abdomen as well as the incision you see on the surface develops scar tissue.
This scar tissue is needed for healing but can also create long term consequences if left untreated.
How Scars Negatively Affect the Body
Scars Upregulate the Sympathetic Nervous System (fight or flight) and Produce a Cycle of Stress Cells have an electrical component to them and communicate with other cells through the exchange of electrical signals. When a scar forms, it disrupts this natural exchange between cells. Scar tissue does not conduct electricity well but it can hold a higher resting charge which constantly sends out unstable cellular signals to the local nerve fibres which upregulates the nervous system. The only way to reverse this polarity issue is with electrical stimulation through the scar tissue.
Scars can Create Fascial Restrictions Fascia is like one giant sheet of connective tissue that touches and connects everything in your body together (muscles, organs, nerves, etc.) so when one part of your fascia becomes tight and strained, it pulls on other structures in your body because it's all connected. Your fascia is cut during surgery and the scar tissue that forms in its place will pull and create strain patterns which can lead to dysfunction in other areas of your body.
Scars can Form Internal Adhesions When the scar tissue is forming, collagen is laid down in a random unorganized pattern that can connect structures together that shouldn't be stuck together. This connective tissue can shorten and tighten muscles, and compress internal organs (digestive and reproductive organs) leading to dysfunction and pain patterns.
Scars can Block Circulation, Energy, Lymphatic and Blood Flow Scars can create tension that blocks the flow of blood and lymphatic drainage from the lower body to the upper body (causing lower body swelling). And scars along the body's energy meridian channels (as seen in Acupuncture) can block the flow of energy to organs and throughout the body.
Scars can Lock in Emotions of the Trauma Your cells are like little recorders and remember what was happening at the time of your surgery. The scar tissue can store the emotional energy in their cellular memory and this can get stuck without the proper energy flow of healthy cells. Electrical stimulation (Dolphin MPS) can also help to release this stored energy by re-establishing proper membrane communication which allows healing agents to flow into the cells and flush out waste, returning to proper healthy function again.
Note that it is important to have your scar electrically stimulated AND manually worked on to re-establish proper functioning cells and better moving tissues to prevent dysfunction and pain down the road.
For example, untreated scar tissue can pull and spread for years, eventually leading to pain in your upper body from pulling down on your posture, or potentially leading to compressed bowels internally, resulting in digestive pain and dysfunction.
Benefits of Scar Release Treatments
Most clients feel an immediate softening of their scar and abdomen after just the first Scar Release session. (It's always so rewarding for me to see the excitement in their faces when they feel this difference!) The phrase I hear most often from my clients is that their scar area "feels lighter" both to touch and from an internal sensation.
A lot of clients start to get sensation back after feeling completely or partially numb along their scar and the abdominal area above. This sometimes happens after the first session or it may take a few appointments to notice sensory changes.
Other benefits women report after their Scar Release treatments are:
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Decreased pain/sensitivity
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Decreased swelling
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Less pulling/tugging sensation with movement
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Increased range of motion
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Better posture
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Improved appearance of the scar
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Less prominent indentation (or shelf) and sometimes completely flattened out
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Improved digestion (more regular bowel movements)
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Better pelvic floor connection
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A better emotional acceptance of their scar and more comfort to look at and touch their scar
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Better core engagement
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Overall a better sense of feeling like themselves again and more connected to their body
What to Expect from a Scar Release Session
With a mobile Scar Release Therapy appointment, I arrive at your home with my portable massage table. I set up and disinfect all of my equipment before starting the session. For a first session, we complete a thorough intake which includes discussing your birth experience, how your recovery has been, what symptoms or challenges you're experiencing, what your goals are, and any other relevant information. I explain how the Dolphin Neurostim device works, what the treatment plan looks like, and receive your consent before beginning the treatment.
For these treatments, you stay fully clothed and just expose your abdomen to be worked on. You lay on your back supported by pillows for your head and knees for comfort. The majority of the hour session is using the Dolphin Neurostim across the scar and lower abdomen, as well as stimulating acupuncture points (using the Dolphin, no needles). And then I follow up the microcurrent stimulation with a hands-on massage for the lower abdomen, scar and low back.
The microcurrent stimulation with the Dolphin device is generally well tolerated, but clients sometimes feel a slight sting or a poking sensation from the application tip. Any spots that are too intense or uncomfortable, you just let me know and I discontinue and move on to the next area. I always encourage open communication for your comfort levels and preferences. Most clients find this to be a very relaxing treatment and feel calm afterwards, due to the nervous system down regulation effect of the microcurrent.
At the end of the session, I discuss homecare directives (which include self-massage and movement) and answer any questions. Then I pack up my table and head out, leaving you feeling relaxed and supported on your healing journey.
How to Prepare for a Mobile Appointment
I offer in-home mobile appointments for Guelph, Fergus, Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge. The travel fee is included in a flat rate for the hour appointment, billed under RMT.
There is very little you need to do to prepare for a mobile session. I just ask that you clear an area of your home big enough to fit my portable massage table that is about 6 feet long, with enough room for me to move around the table. It is recommended that you wear stretchy comfortable clothing and have an empty bladder for the treatment, since I'll be massaging your abdomen.