Scar tissue is a common consequence of injury, surgery, or chronic inflammation. It forms as part of the body’s natural healing process, but it can often lead to stiffness, reduced mobility, and even pain. If you’ve been searching for effective ways to address scar tissue and improve mobility, you may have come across myofascial release as a potential treatment. But does myofascial release actually break up scar tissue?
In this post, we’ll explore what scar tissue is, how it forms, the role of the fascia, and how myofascial release therapy can help alleviate issues related to scar tissue.
What Is Scar Tissue?
Scar tissue is composed of collagen, a protein the body produces to repair damaged skin, muscles, ligaments, or tendons. While scar tissue is an essential part of healing, it is often not as flexible or strong as the original tissue. This can lead to the formation of adhesions—bands of scar tissue that bind muscles and tissues together, often causing stiffness and discomfort.
Some common causes of scar tissue include:
- Injuries: Sprains, strains, and traumatic injuries like broken bones.
- Surgical procedures: Scar tissue is common after surgeries, especially around the incision site.
- Chronic inflammation: Conditions like tendonitis or bursitis can lead to excess scar tissue formation.
While scar tissue is necessary for healing, it can sometimes impede recovery and reduce mobility if it builds up excessively or doesn’t integrate well with surrounding tissues.
Understanding Fascia and Its Role in Scar Tissue Formation
Before delving into myofascial release, it’s important to understand the fascia—an intricate web of connective tissue that surrounds and supports muscles, bones, and organs. Fascia is highly flexible and responsive, adapting to movements and tension throughout the body.
When scar tissue forms, it can also impact the fascia. If left untreated, scar tissue can cause the fascia to become restricted, leading to chronic pain, tightness, and limited range of motion. This is where myofascial release therapy can be particularly beneficial.
What Is Myofascial Release?
Myofascial release is a type of manual therapy designed to reduce tension in the fascia and surrounding muscles. The practitioner applies sustained pressure to targeted areas to release tightness and improve movement. This therapy is especially effective for individuals suffering from chronic pain, muscle imbalances, or limited mobility due to scar tissue or fascial restrictions.
Myofascial release is often used for conditions such as:
- Post-surgical rehabilitation
- Chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Sports injuries
How Does Myofascial Release Address Scar Tissue?
While myofascial release may not “break up” scar tissue in the literal sense, it helps in softening and remodelling the tissue so that it integrates better with the surrounding muscles and fascia. Here’s how it works:
- Relieves Fascial Tension: Scar tissue can cause adhesions in the fascia, leading to stiffness and pain. By applying gentle, sustained pressure, myofascial release helps reduce this tension and promote greater flexibility.
- Improves Blood Flow and Circulation: Poor circulation is a common issue with scar tissue, which can delay healing. Myofascial release improves blood flow to the area, which brings oxygen and nutrients necessary for healing while also flushing out toxins.
- Stimulates the Breakdown of Adhesions: Myofascial release encourages the remodelling of scar tissue by stimulating collagen fibers and improving tissue alignment. Over time, this helps the body integrate scar tissue more effectively, reducing discomfort and improving function.
- Promotes Natural Healing: Instead of forcing scar tissue to break down abruptly, myofascial release works with the body’s natural healing processes to promote gradual, effective tissue repair.
Does Myofascial Release Hurt?
One of the concerns people have when seeking treatment for scar tissue is whether the therapy will be painful. Myofascial release is generally a gentle and slow process, though you may feel some discomfort in tight or restricted areas. However, this discomfort should be tolerable and may decrease as the fascia begins to release.
Unlike deep tissue massage, which can sometimes cause soreness, myofascial release focuses on long-term healing rather than immediate relief. Patients often feel relief within a few sessions, though more significant changes can take time depending on the severity of the scar tissue.
What to Expect from a Myofascial Release Session
During a myofascial release session, your therapist will begin by assessing your range of motion and areas of pain or tightness. They will then apply gentle pressure to these areas, allowing time for the fascia to release. Each session typically lasts between 45 and 60 minutes, and the therapist may use their hands, elbows, or specialised tools to target problem areas.
Because the therapy is cumulative, multiple sessions are often recommended for optimal result especially for older, more stubborn scar tissue.
Benefits of Myofascial Release for Scar Tissue
There are several benefits to choosing myofascial release as a treatment for scar tissue:
- Improved range of motion in joints and muscles
- Reduced pain and discomfort in the affected areas
- Enhanced mobility and flexibility
- Decreased tightness in the fascia and surrounding muscles
- Faster recovery after injuries or surgeries
Is Myofascial Release Right for You?
If you’re struggling with the negative effects of scar tissue—whether it’s post-surgical stiffness or limited mobility due to an old injury myofascial release could be an effective and non-invasive solution.
Book Your Myofascial Release Treatment Today
If you’re ready to experience relief from scar tissue pain and improve your overall mobility, don’t wait. Our team of trained myofascial release specialists is here to help you get back to feeling your best.
Schedule your consultation today and take the first step toward lasting relief.
