Massage Therapy for Scars
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Scar Management
Massage therapy is simple to carry out, economical, and has very few side effects, so it is worth investigating the effects of massage therapy on post-surgical scarring. Research is still in its infancy but there is evidence to suggest that in addition to managing pain massage therapy may optimize post-surgical function and healing (Anthonissen et al. 2016, Ault et al. 2018, Cho et al. 2014).
Tips for Scar Management - As little as 10 minutes of massage per day may go a long way in decreasing the thickness of scar. It may also shorten the time required for formation of a mature scar tissue.
The mechanisms by which massage therapy interrupt the sequelae of pathological healing is most likely not in a single unified response, but as a collection of interconnected adaptive responses within the neuroimmune system and soft tissue structures (Bove et al. 2016, Waters-Banker, et al. 2014).
More to Explore
As a massage therapist who works with post-surgical patients, this is a topic I am interested in so I will follow closely and keep readers updated as more research comes to light. Here are my current go to resources for post-operative protocols:
Traumatic scar tissue management: Massage therapy principles, practice and protocols
Clinical Orthopaedic Rehabilitation: a Team Approach
Susan Chapelle - Understanding and Approach to Treatment of Scars and Adhesion.
Research Links
Alvira-Lechuz, J., Espiau, M. R., & Alvira-Lechuz, E. (2017). Treatment Of The Scar After Arthroscopic Surgery On A Knee: A Case Study. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28532876
Anthonissen, M., Daly, D., Janssens, T., & Kerckhove, E. V. (2016). The effects of conservative treatments on burn scars: A systematic review. Burns.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26777448
Ault, P., Plaza, A., Paratz, J. (2018). Scar massage for hypertrophic burns scarring-A systematic review. Burns.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28669442
Bijlard, E., Uiterwaal, L., ... Huygen, F.J. (2017). A Systematic Review on the Prevalence, Etiology, and Pathophysiology of Intrinsic Pain in Dermal Scar Tissue. Pain Physician.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28158149
Berrueta, L., Muskaj, I., Olenich, S., . . . Langevin, H. M. (2016). Stretching Impacts Inflammation Resolution in Connective Tissue. Journal of Cellular Physiology.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28158149
Bove, G.M., Chapelle, S.L., Hanlon, K.E., Diamond, M.P., Mokler, D.J. (2017). Attenuation of postoperative adhesions using a modeled manual therapy. PLoS One. (OPEN ACCESS)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28574997/
Bove, G., Harris, M., Zhao, H., & Barbe, M. (2016). Manual therapy as an effective treatment for fibrosis in a rat model of upper extremity overuse injury. Journal of the Neurological Sciences.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26810536
Chen, L., Michalsen, A. (2017). Management of chronic pain using complementary and integrative medicine. BMJ.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28438745
Cho, Y.S., Jeon, J.H., Hong, A., Yang, H.T., ... Seo, C.H. (2014). The effect of burn rehabilitation massage therapy on hypertrophic scar after burn: a randomized controlled trial. Burns.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24630820
Chamorro Comesaña, A., Suárez Vicente, M.D., ... Pilat, A. (2017). Effect of myofascial induction therapy on post-c-section scars, more than one and a half years old. Pilot study. J Bodyw Mov Ther.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28167179
Cholok, D., Lee, E., Lisiecki, J., Agarwal, S., Loder, S., Ranganathan, K., Qureshi, A.T., Davis, T.A., Levi, B. (2017). Traumatic muscle fibrosis: From pathway to prevention. J Trauma Acute Care Surg.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27787441
Finnerty, C.C., Jeschke, M.G., Branski, L.K., ... Herndon, D.N. (2016). Hypertrophic scarring: the greatest unmet challenge after burn injury. Lancet. (OPEN ACCESS)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27707499
Guo, S., Dipietro, L.A. (2010). Factors affecting wound healing. J Dent Res.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20139336
Khansa, I., Harrison, B., & Janis, J. E. (2016). Evidence-Based Scar Management. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27556757
Najafi Ghezeljeh, T., Mohades Ardebili, F., Rafii, F. (2017). The effects of massage and music on pain, anxiety and relaxation in burn patients: Randomized controlled clinical trial. Burns.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28169080
Ogawa, R. (2017). Keloid and Hypertrophic Scars Are the Result of Chronic Inflammation in the Reticular Dermis. Int J Mol Sci. (OPEN ACCESS)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28287424
Shin, T. M., & Bordeaux, J. S. (2012). The Role of Massage in Scar Management: A Literature Review. Dermatologic Surgery.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22093081
Tan, J., Wu, J. (2017). Current progress in understanding the molecular pathogenesis of burn scar contracture. Burns Trauma. (OPEN ACCESS)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28546987
van der Veer, W.M., Bloemen, M.C., ... Niessen, F.B. (2009). Potential cellular and molecular causes of hypertrophic scar formation. Burns.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18952381
Waters-Banker, C., Dupont-Versteegden, E. E., Kitzman, P. H., & Butterfield, T. A. (2014). Investigating the Mechanisms of Massage Efficacy: The Role of Mechanical Immunomodulation.Journal of Athletic Training. (Open Access)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24641083
Wong, Y., Smith, R., & Koppenhaver, S. (2015). Soft Tissue Mobilization to Resolve Chronic Pain and Dysfunction Associated With Post-Operative Abdominal and Pelvic Adhesions: A Case Report. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26471853
Yelvington, M., Scoggins, M., White, L. (2017). A Child With a Burn-Related Foot and Ankle Contracture Treated With Multiple Modalities. Pediatr Phys Ther.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27984480