Benefits Of Massage For A C-section Scar
Written by: capricornmom1976
Having any type of postpartum massages, such as a post-C-section massage, is beneficial to your body. Many health benefits are associated with it, including hormone regulation and the reduction of swelling. There are many different ways to massage a C-section scar, and by doing so you are being proactive towards issues that can arise later down the road.
In this guide, you will find the answers to the most common questions regarding a C-section massage. This includes the definition of a c-section massage, the benefits, and techniques used to do a c-section massage.
A c-section birth is where an incision is made either vertically or horizontally in the abdomen and uterus to deliver a baby. As the incision heals scar tissue is formed on the surface of the skin and underneath the skin. A c-section massage is a massage technique for these areas where scar tissue has formed. It involves different methods performed either directly on the scar itself, or the areas surrounding the scar.
Scar tissue is formed in an irregular pattern. This creates several problems because you can have bands of scar-like tissue in areas such as the colon, ovary, or between the bladder and uterus. An adhesion in these areas can cause issues that can be prevented and improved through the massaging of a c-section scar.
Here are the benefits of having a c-section massage:
There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to a scar from a c-section. Here are things you should know:
It is advised to wait at least 6 weeks before attempting to massage the scar tissue. In some cases you may need to wait 8 weeks, depending on how long it takes for your incision to heal. If you are unsure about this, speak with your OB-GYN or primary care physician before you begin massaging your c-section scar.
In the past, women weren’t told about massaging their c-section scars. So even if it has been years or months since you had a c-section, you can still benefit from massaging the scar tissue. Aside from that, it can take up to 2 years for the scar to fully heal and reach the maturation process.
In the beginning, you may experience slight tenderness, however, the pain should never be excruciating. You may also feel some pulling or slight burning in some areas, spending a little more time stretching in these areas should help. As you continue with your daily self-massages, the amount of pain or tenderness should decrease over time. If you find that you are not seeing any improvements with your pain, or if the pain increases, you should consult with your physician or a pelvic physical therapist.
Some different methods or techniques can be performed when massaging your c-section scar. These techniques only take a few minutes daily and results can be seen within a couple of weeks. The techniques that are used include:
The steps that you use in each technique are discussed later in this guide. You want to start with a daily return and as you see improvements move to weekly, every other week, and monthly. For the first couple of years, you should at least perform one of these techniques monthly, since tissue can form up to 2 years from the time of the c-section delivery.
It is encouraged that you perform a self-massage of a c-section scar so that you can become familiar with your body and your body’s response to the massage. This will help you determine the areas that you should focus on. This is also recommended before you make an appointment to have a professional perform the massage for you. This creates awareness of the scar area so that you can work with the professional by giving proper feedback.
As you have already learned there are several different techniques that you can use to massage your c-section scar. The method that you choose depends on what you want to achieve and what is most comfortable for you. Here are more details about the different massage techniques that you can use:
Before you can begin direct scar massage, 12 weeks should have passed since delivery. You need to make sure that the incision is both closed and well healed for this massage technique.
This is another technique that you need to wait at least 12 weeks before you attempt it.
For some women, touching the c-section scar can trigger a traumatic experience preventing them from being able to massage the scar. If you are one of these women, you are not alone, and it is understandable. There are many types of trained professionals that can help you work through your fear, guide you through massaging the area, or include the massage as part of services performed by a massage therapist.
The key takeaways after reading this guide, include:
Remember, even if years have passed since your c-section delivery, you can still see improvements through daily self-massage of your c-section scar.