“Every body both inside and out is unique, every scar is also unique. Every body will require a different approach as every person’s story will be different. I always listen to the client, then listen to what their body is showing or saying to me, that is my starting point and from there I try to help the body’s tissue go back to where it once belonged”
Andrea
Working on the body’s fascia is a relatively new concept in manual therapies but it is slowly becoming recognised as a key part of the functioning of the body’s systems rather than something that gets discarded when it comes to dissection classes in medical school.
Fascia is a type of connective tissue and our fascial system is a three dimensional network that is comprised primarily of collagen, but also elastin fibres and ground substance. Fascia is everywhere, surrounding, containing and connecting every part of the body from head to toe. It creates an interconnected web under the skin and runs from the superficial to deeper parts of the body.
Our fascia responds to many things including how we move, how we don’t move, force, load placed upon it, emotional stress and past traumas – it is thought that trauma and emotion can be held in the body long after the event has occurred. It is highly adaptive, can get dehydrated, gluey and almost stuck. Surgery and injuries can impact the fascial web and create adhesions, restriction to our movements and pain. Our fascia is part of our communication system and is literally the stuff that holds us up.
Restriction of the body in one area can have an impact anywhere else in the body – everything is connected. These are the new ideas coming through in modern science for how the body functions – everything is connected, everything moves – this is the basic principal of biotensegrity.
In both a ScarWork and Fascial Unwinding session the lightest of touch is used to help encourage the tissue to go back to where it should belong, however this light touch does not mean it doesn’t have depth. Helping to encourage the tissue to go back ‘home’ using a light touch approach is, as research is beginning to confirm an approach that can have a more profound affect at the cellular level and reach far deeper into the body than a more heavy handed approach.
Encouraging the tissue to go back home can lead to improved mobility around the restricted areas, reduction in pain and tension in the body, improved circulation and energy flow and in the case of ScarWork, improvement in the look and feel of the scar and surrounding tissue. Treatments can also help reduce lumps, bumps and areas that are stuck down.
ScarWork:
In a ScarWork session, we will discuss the scar/scars to be worked on, these can be old or more recent scars (as long as they are well healed) and can vary in size. We will then assess the scar: Its appearance, how it feels, the movement of it and the surrounding tissue. We will then work on the scar for about 45 minutes before concluding the session with some fully body integration, this can help calm and settle the body after treatment.
The ScarWork technique is the original work of Sharon Wheeler. Sharon was taught by Ida Rolf, the founder of the Rolfing technique. No two scars are the same and each might require a different approach. The touch is very light and we constantly check in with the client to see how the work feels and to assess how the quality of the tissue changes. The look of the scar and surrounding tissue might change on the surface of the skin but also below it, which can help to ease the adhesions that have built up beneath the surface as well.
A ScarWork session typically lasts for 1 – 1 ½ hours.
Please see video below for a quick demonstration of ScarWork therapy approach.
Fascial Unwinding/Energy Awareness:
In a Fascial Unwinding session we will start with a postural assessment both in standing and on the couch. During this assessment we also look for where the body draws us to, this can help guide us as to where to begin the treatment.
Fascial Unwinding can assist the body in releasing held traumas and tension, this could be emotional and/or physical. We can also help clear energy blockages in the body.
Fascial Unwinding is a very light touch, hands on technique, but again with it comes great depth, as Deane Juhan mentions in his book ‘Job’s Body’, “to touch the surface is to stir the depths”. Unwinding the tissue can help to create a better flow of fluid through the body, after all we are mostly made of fluid. It can also help to restore misalignment, ease pain, stress and tension in the body.
It can also help to release deeply held emotions, so even though the touch is light the affect can be quite profound.
A Fascial Unwinding/Energy Awareness session typically lasts 1 ½ hours.
Please see video below for a quick demonstration of Fascial Unwinding approach.
FAQs
Does it matter how old my scar is?
No, we can work on scars of any age, even very old scars can be worked on.
Do I need to bring anything with me?
Please bring a bedroll with you (a sheet, two pillows and a blanket), this is to go over the couch and keep you comfortable and warm during your treatment.
I only have a really small scar. Is it worth getting it worked on?
Even a small scar can have an affect on the rest of the body and how it moves, everything is connected, everything moves, so if something isn’t moving so well it can affect the rest of the body.during your treatment.
What should I wear for my treatment?
Something comfortable, nothing too tight fitting as it can restrict the movement of the body’s tissue.moving so well it can affect the rest of the body.during your treatment.
Will scarwork improve my movement near the scar and surrounding tissues?
Scar tissue can create some restriction in the tissue both on the surface of the skin and below the level of the skin. Working on the tissue and the surrounding area can therefore help to improve the movement of the tissue and potentially other nearby structures.y.during your treatment.
Can a recent scar be worked on?
Yes, as long as it has healed nicely, the scar should not be open, inflamed, weeping or very painful prior to treatment.
“I have had two Scarwork sessions now and I highly recommend them. 12 years ago after a 47 hour labour I ended up having an emergency caesarean that left my stomach somewhat malformed. It has also left me with random pains, sensitivity and numbness in different areas around the scar. I have tried many things including physio exercise and diet but nothing has helped the area more than Andrea’s sessions. I now have less pain and the area is smoother.”
Bec, April 2024