Scar Tissue that I wish you saw...
if you don't know this reference <sigh> take a listen...
HERE.
I’m reading a book titled YOUR PELVIC FLOOR SUCKS by Lindsay Mumma, D.C. and it’s quite good. I expected it would be because she is a force; knowledgable, bold, and irreverent. Just my type. I’m currently on chapter 8 “scar tissue” which deeply fascinates me.
Six months ago, while I was on day 2 of my DNS Exercise I course, the instructor Dr. Craig Morris briefly referenced the unexplored importance of scar tissue which is largely overlooked by many doctors and practitioners. I had so many questions that he said “okay Nicole, if you can find 9 more people, I’ll hold a scar tissue course for you and your colleagues.” I said “I’M ON IT”.
You know how many people were available?
The bubble.
That’s what my ex husband would call zero. (is this a Boston thing)
Unfortunately we haven’t been able to hold the seminar and I’m scouring the internet for scar tissue education because I’m weird like that.
I had an emergency c section
when I gave birth to Beau. If you’ve had one you know how gnarly a c section can be. It’s certainly downplayed in our culture and IMO there should be more detailed post operative care for new moms. For instance, my scar opened up *oh wait this is about to get slightly barfy* a few weeks after the fact and I was bleeding from one side of the incision. When I went back in, my OBGYN was unphased and just told me to hold off on taking walks for 2 weeks.
A year or so later,
I noticed the scar began to keloid where the incision had opened back up. It never occurred to me that scar tissue could grow inward and disrupt my brain map of that general area. If you touch a scar and you can’t feel it, that’s not great. Less than normal sensation is referred to as hypesthesia and more than normal sensation is called hyperesthesia. Weird and gross sensation is called paresthesia. When I touched my c section scar it made me shiver. I avoided it. For years.
As Lindsay Mumma explains in her book, laparoscopic surgery is seen as minimally invasive because of the scars themselves. From the outside and after the fact, all “appears” good. She states that..
“during laparoscopic surgery the surgeons need to be able to see what they’re working with, and as such, the abdomen in inflated to around the same size as a late second trimester or early third trimester pregnant abdomen. This inhibits the downward motion of the diaphragm and can impact the intra-abdominal pressure system after surgery, regardless of scars. Additionally, the pathway of the laparoscopic incisions essentially creates a tunnel of scar tissue internally.”
A tunnel of internal scar tissue-how exciting! There is another barfy personal story here but I’ll save it for next time. You’re welcome.
Scars form cross-linked fibers when they heal. Your body’s myofibroblast cells make collagen and knit the skin, muscle, fat, tendons, tissue etc. hopefully closing up your wound without incident but if you’re sporting a raised, red, or as we mentioned weird and gross scar then it’s safe to say, your body had a hey day putting you back together.
Here’s a basic manipulation technique for scars
If you have an emotional response to the scar (tragic accident, PTSD, untapped memories) be mindful that tending to a scar can be charged and if you need to take breaks, journal, speak to a close friend, hum or self soothe, that may be necessary and beneficial.
If you can stand in front of a mirror so that your eyes and hands can see and work with your scar that is ideal as it provides information from the eyes as well as your hands to help normalize sensation.
Gently touch your scar and see yourself in the mirror touching the scar again to help familiarize your brain with this area.
Place your hand on the scar and breathe into it. If you can feel the inhale/exhale great, if not just continue to draw your minds’ eye to that tissue.
Slowly run your finger back and forth over the scar in several directions with non-painful pressure. Notice if there is a tugging or pulling sensation (either internally or externally) indicating that the scar is tethered to other tissues. This is what I feel and why I avoided touching my c section scar for years.
Continue to gently massage and slightly pull at the scar to mobilize tissue as you speak kindly and loving toward the experience. Is that too woo? Have we met? lol. Get over it because every cell in your body hears you, all day, every day. I say “thank you so much for being brave and for healing me so well. Thank you for helping me birth my son. Thank you for reminding me that I am strong and resilient”.
You can progress this exercise to the point of gently pinching or rolling the scar and underlying tissues with your finger tips. I had a hard time with this on my first (and second and third) attempt. It felt bizarre.
If possible return to any of these exercises (or all of them) 2x a week. Remember that awareness is the name of the game and seeing this scar tissue for what it is opens the flood gates for more healing. You deserve to live a healthy and happy life; scars included.
OKAYILOVEYOUBYEEE,
xx
Nic.
ps. Classes this week:
* Tuesday (today) QUICKIE YOGA 12-12:30pm pst. $10. All levels yoga...this is a feel good, mobility based sesh…you might sweat a little but overall it’s just a great break in the day. This class has always been $10 as it began as a community class. If you need financial assistance with any of my classes, just ask - we'll make it work. Sign up here.
* Friday YOGA FLOW 6:30-7:05am pst. $20. This is part of my April Fit program but open for anyone to drop in. We will start with breath work, incorporate CARS and build from there. It's only 35 minutes and a great way to show your body some love and attention. Sign up here.
* Saturday FULL BODY STRENGTH 7:30-8am pst. $20. This is part of my April Fit program but open for anyone to drop in. The group energy is excellent and we begin with CARs, strength train and sweat it out with friends. Bring a glute loop/resistance band, lighter and heavier weights. Sign up here.
* Saturday AVIATOR NATION YOGA FLOW 9-10am, 10:15-11:15am.
In person, in Santa Monica. Come on out. Sign up here.
* Sunday KINSTRETCH 9-10am pst. $20. Highly specialized joint specific training. Everyone is welcome. This is the WD-40 and veggies of your movement practice or the “flossing of your joints”. We do the CARS routine and strength train your joints all in 60 minutes. Sign up here.
* Sunday AVIATOR NATION YOGA FLOW. 10:45-11:45am. In person, in Santa Monica. Come on out. Sign up here.
pps. Save the Date: JUNE 9-10TH 2023 I’ll be in Denver, CO speaking at Samantha Joy’s FEMPOWERED live event among the likes of Amberly Lago, Brooke Hemingway, Sharon Land, Anjali Bhimani, Jaime McFaden and so many more. This is a 2-Day women’s transformational experience helping us let go of who we were, to step into who we are. If you’ve ever felt as though you’re keeping your head just above water yet you have a deeper calling to make a shift, we see you. In order to flip the script, you need community and support. This event will be exactly that and more! I have a $100 off code and would love to share it with you-just LMK.
ppps. My children’s book YOLKED was a big Easter basket hit and to those of you who continue to send me videos, photos, and messages about the book and how it’s received, I’m FOREVER GRATEFUL. The message of self trust, honing your intuition, and staying curious is a passion of mine. YOLKED offers a clever spin on how we can step into our greatness and show up authentically for kids of all ages.