Scraping therapy is a form of manual therapy on soft tissues where a small tool is used to gently scrape over soft tissue (fascia, ligaments, tendons, and muscles). This aids in breaking down scar tissue that results from trauma or overuse.
Breaking Down Scar Tissue
Scar tissue is part of the body's natural healing process but can become problematic when it restricts movement and causes pain. Techniques like massage, stretching, and specialized therapies such as the Graston Technique or muscle scraping gently break up these fibrous tissues.
There are many types of therapies for scar tissue, but the standard treatment commonly involves exercise and massage — specifically, stretching and pulling the scar tissue to soften, align and elongate it.
The Graston technique, an innovative scar tissue treatment, is among the most effective ways to address surgery scar tissue and problems that are associated with it. Safe, effective and non-invasive, it's a viable option for anyone who suffers from problems due to surgery scar tissue.
Cross Friction Massage
One effective method of scar massage is called cross-friction or transverse friction massage. This technique involves using one or two fingers to massage the scar in a direction that is perpendicular to the scar line.
Massage. Deep tissue massage and cross-friction massage are two manual therapies that improve mobility, promote healing, break up existing scar tissue, and help prevent it from forming. Scar tissue massage also helps with those aches and pains that develop when tight areas and adhesions impede healthy movement.
For best results, you should perform scar massage for at least 10 minutes, twice a day, for six months. You should only stop sooner than that if the scar starts showing signs of infection or you experience intolerable discomfort.
Graston Technique- A physical therapist will use stainless steel tools to help break up the scar tissue and restore mobility. Active Release Therapy- Manual tension is applied for a short time with a therapist's fingers while the patient actively works to lengthen the muscle.
The Graston Technique is known for its ability to reach deeper layers of tissue more quickly than traditional massage, which may involve gradual pressure and more generalized treatment. In the comparison of efficacy, it's important to consider the specific conditions being treated.
By introducing controlled microtrauma to affected soft tissue using muscle scraping, a local inflammatory response is stimulated. This microtrauma initiates reabsorption of excessive scar tissue and facilitates a remodeling of the affected soft-tissue structures.
In minor injuries, muscles are able to regenerate completely and recover their functional capabilities. However, in the case of severe injuries, the injured muscle cannot recover to a functional level because of the formation of fibrous scar tissue.
Scars can take up to 2 years to mature fully and go through stages of healing. This slow process may explain why some people do not experience scar tissue pain immediately. Initially, the scarring may look minimal, but the scar may get bigger over many weeks or become raised, firm, and thick.
IASTM (muscle scraping therapy) is generally safe. When side effects occur, they tend to be mild and are short lived. Muscle scraping therapy like Graston Technique® isn't for everyone. Your doctor might caution against IASTM if you have contraindications to treatment.
Internal scar tissue will never go away. However, if treated properly, you can work to restore movement and minimize pain. There are a variety of treatments for scar tissue pain – some more effective than others.
It's this same concept that is utilized by physical therapists through instrument soft tissue mobilization, sometimes called muscle scraping or the Graston technique.
Graston technique sessions typically cost between $50 and $75. However, the cost may vary depending on your location.
In layman's terms, Aescape provides you with a personalized session that swaps out a human massage therapist for a table that's equipped with two robotic arms for double the bodywork in half the time.
Massage therapy can also help break up scar tissue and allow it to remodel. Scar-revision surgery: A range of surgical procedures can remove a scar, improve its appearance or transplant skin from another area (skin graft). This is an exchange of one type of scar for a different, more preferable scar.
While it's important not to re-strain your injury, if you don't move at all, more scar tissue will form. This makes your joints and muscles stiffer and ends up restricting your movement. If you keep your body moving, you can decrease the amount of scar tissue that your body forms.
Astym is a tool used to break up scar tissue and damaged soft tissue to promote regeneration of healthy tissue to improve one's function.
Scar Tissue Release Therapy is a gentle yet effective modality. In your session you may feel such sensations as a slight tugging or pressure as the scar tissue is released.
You should apply as much pressure as you can tolerate. Begin with light pressure and progress to deeper and firmer pressure. You should massage your scar regularly- at least 2-3 times a day and for 5 minutes at a time. You should continue this for approximately 6 months until the scar has fully matured.
Dermatologists may inject a corticosteroid solution directly into a hypertrophic scar or keloid, which may help reduce its size. Steroids break the bonds between collagen fibers, which reduces the amount of scar tissue beneath the skin.