VacuTherapies:
New tools in our fight against Scar Tissue:
Fact: All injuries cause micro tearing of the body’s soft tissue. After the inflammatory
process, which is the body’s natural healing process, healing occurs with the formation
of scar tissue. This action occurs during the proliferation phase of healing in which there
are two types or stages of scar tissue formation:
• Immature – Immediately after a wound heals, the scar is immature. During this period
it may be painful, itchy or sensitive as nerve endings within the tissue heal. Exercise,
massage and heat application will have the greatest positive effect on an immature
scar.
• Mature – Depending on the size and depth of the wound, scar tissue will cease
production 3 to 18 months following wound healing. When scar tissue is no longer
produced, the scar is considered mature. While techniques to reduce scar tissue in a
mature scar are effective, a more disciplined and vigorous approach is necessary.
Since our muscle tissue cannot take a surgical stitch (literally) and can only heal itself,
our body forms a fibrous collagenous connective tissue called scar tissue which is
formed from the natural healing substance in our body called fibroblasts. Scar tissue
can form on any structure of the body internally and externally including: skin, old injury
sites, surgical sites, and organs. The formation of scar tissue as a healing mechanism
has both a positive and a negative effect on the body’s structure where it was formed.
Looking at scar tissue as a positive we look at its ability bind, allowing for healing and to
protect but due to its fibrous state, physiological negative effect are created.
Scar tissue constricts nerve pathways, restricts circulatory/lymphatic flow because it has
no circulation, and restricts range of motion trapping metabolic debris and heat within
the injury site thus often exasperating the dysfunction. Scars and adhesions disrupt the
network of lymph capillaries that lie just under the skin. This disruption hinders lymph
drainage and makes the treatment of lymphedema, for instance, in the affected area
more difficult Another negative upon forming, scar tissue not only binds the
dysfunctional area but it can also bind to healthy adjacent tissue forming areas of
adhesions thus complicating an already complicated situation for client and therapist
alike.
The treating of scar tissue allows for the muscle(s) optimal performance, allows for nerve
pathways to send their messages for efficiently, and blood and lymph flow is more free.
There are many specialties and techniques in our industry that are available for the
therapist to use with the intention of bringing pain relief, increase ROM, and a
diminishing of the body’s soft tissue dysfunction all with the intention of bringing the
body back to homeostasis and increasing the client’s quality of life. Let’s add one
more “tool” to our toolbox; something old that is now something new and that new
comes in the form of Vacutherapy: ACE Massage Cupping bodywork, MediCupping
bodywork and TheraCupping.
Soft tissue of the body, particularly the superficial fascia, responds to all therapies
including those that include the use of heat. But the deep fascia does not. This is
where the use of vacutherapies can be of most use, particularly for the deep postural
muscles.
For an injured muscle to regain maximum strength and flexibility, dehydrated scar tissue
needs to become aligned and integrated with the muscle fibers. Suction created by
the vacuumobilization machine or by the manual plastic cups used in massage
cupping creates the necessary separation of the tissue thus allowing for increased
absorption of water and freshly oxygenated blood which is needed in aiding hydration
to the muscles tissue that is “stuck” together by the formation of scar tissue.
In order for the body to heal and for muscles to function properly, all of their fibers need
to be aligned in the same direction. A massage therapist will use deep tissue massage,
neuromuscular re-education, cross fiber friction, active release techniques, myofascial
release and contrast therapies to assist the body in healing the injuries, realigning the
muscle tissue, breaking up excess scar tissue and improving nerve response. The
addition of vacutherapies as a modality or as an adjunct can aid in the healing process
and the diminishing of scar tissue.
Note: Vacutherapy is the perfect adjunct to any modality that is use for the treatment
of Scar tissue: Deep tissue Massage, Manual Lymph Drainage, Sports Massage,
Myofascial Release, Crossfiber Friction Massage, and TPT just to name a few.
Some of the benefits of using massage cupping in scar tissue work:
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With the many size cups in a typical manual or vacuumobilization massage
cupping set, the use of the cups offers less strain on the therapists’ hands, namely
the thumbs.
With the “lifting” action or Negative Pressure caused by the suction of the cups
tissue is release with little to no discomfort to the client.
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As mentioned earlier, with the many different size cups, creativity is expanded as
the therapist’s intention is focused and refocused during the course of a session.
The “multitasking” ability of the cups. In the treatment of scar tissue the cups
used in a session not only influences circulation and lymph flow in a positive
manner but also can aid in the stretching of the muscle fibers but also help in the
realigning of the fibers.
Scar tissue “softens” quickly allowing for increase in fresh oxygenated blood and
nutrients to enter the healing process.
Stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system causing relaxation and the
stoppage of the messages to the dysfunctional muscles to contract and defend
themselves.
Vacutherapies can be used as a stand-alone treatment or can be incorporated within
a regular massage session. Medicupping is based on the foundation and structure of
massage cupping bodywork with the MC 600 vacuumobilization machine providing the
static suction or pumping action. Theracupping is also based on the foundation of
massage cupping bodywork but more for home base.
Some other advantages to incorporating any of the vaccutherapies to any bodywork
session:
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Pain free deep tissue release- up to 4 inches.
Effects are longer lasting and are cumulative with repeated sessions.
Movement of old stagnation and metabolic debris is the key to bringing the
body back to homeostasis.
Massage cupping utilizes negative pressure or pulling action to lift and separate tissue
layers.
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Softens tight muscles
Tones attachments
Loosens adhesions.
Research has proven scar tissue renders soft tissue weaker, less elastic, and more prone
to future re-injury and as much as 1000 times more pain sensitive than normal, healthy
tissue. Chronic pain is the result, pain that could remain for years after the initial injury.
Untreated scar tissue is the major cause of re-injury, usually months after you thought
that injury had fully healed.
Another tool in the vaccutherapy tool chest is the Magnetic cups. Since scar tissue is
an active healing process the ph of the injured area is dereased. Placing a negatively
charged magnet cup on the injured area changes the polarity of the area from hot to
cool, increasing the ph of the area allowing for much needed oxygen and nutrients to
enter the area, circulation is increased allowing for an increase in oxygen to the scar
tissue.
W. Burton, Jr. LMT, CMCE