Scars can restrict and bind fascia, influencing muscles and nerves and can produce a straitjacket effect throughout the entire body. Scars can block the movement of circulation and energy, which interferes with health and wellness. Scars cause sympathetic nervous system upregulation and act as stress agonists, creating an environment for illness and chronic pain. I will be offering scar release in the near future.
Scar release therapy (SRT) is a treatment used to break down fascial adhesions and soften scar tissue. By improving local blood flow, lymph circulation, and nervous system response, it helps relieve pain, restore range of motion, and reduce hypersensitivity or pulling sensations.
Targeted cross-fiber friction, myofascial spreading, and circular friction are designed to apply mechanical stress to the tissues and can help break down adhesions and modify the activity of myofibroblasts, and regular massage sessions are more likely to have a lasting effect on myofibroblast activity and tissue remodeling.
Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) tools can be used to gently scrape and release adhered tissues beneath the skin. Microcurrent, often called “needleless neural therapy,” uses direct microcurrent to stimulate acupuncture points, relax muscles, and assist the nervous system. Treatments are often paired with medical-grade silicone gel pads, kinesiology (KT) tape, or gentle dry-needling to maximize pliability.
How does massage impact myofibroblasts?
Massage can help “reset” myofibroblast activity by influencing collagen remodeling, reducing fibrosis, and promoting tissue repair through mechanisms like mechanical stress and enhanced circulation. By applying mechanical forces, massage can modulate fibroblast activity, influence the extracellular matrix, and break down scar tissue, which helps to restore more normal tissue function and reduces the overactivity that can lead to issues like fibrosis.
Mechanical stress and remodeling: Massage applies mechanical force to tissues, which can influence the behavior of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. This can help change the orientation of the cells and modulate their activity.
Reduced fibrosis. In conditions where myofibroblasts lead to excessive scarring (fibrosis), massage can help reduce it. Research has shown that massage can promote tissue repair and reduce fibrosis by remodeling collagen, which is the main component of the extracellular matrix that myofibroblasts produce.
Enhanced circulation. Massage can improve circulation, bringing more oxygen and nutrients to the tissues and helping to clear waste products that can contribute to tissue damage and inflammation.