Caesarean Scar Massage
It takes approximately six weeks for your scar to heal fully. It may feel tender, itchy, and numb in the first few weeks and can heal to be pink or red and slightly raised. Once healed, it should not be excessively painful or sensitive or prevent you from doing any of your everyday activities. It can take two years for your scar to fade to a smooth white line. As your scar heals, the scar tissue can become sensitive, painful, or raised. Scar massage can help reduce these symptoms. Wait until your scar is fully healed before starting scar massage – there must be no open areas or scabs. Check with your GP or consultant before you begin if you have concerns.
How Do I Massage Caesarean Scar Tissue?
Prepare the area: It helps to have a warm bath or use a warm compress before starting to help relax the muscles and increase blood flow to the area.
Prepare yourself: Get into a comfortable position, lying or semi-sitting, and use pillows as required. Natural oil can be used for comfort – e.g. almond, coconut, or olive oil (if you are not allergic to it).
Duration of massage: You should massage the scar tissue in three directions for 5-10 minutes daily or every other day, using the technique below.
Wait until your scar is fully healed before starting scar massage – there must be no open areas or scabs. Check with your GP or consultant before you begin if you have concerns.
Using two fingers start by gently massaging around the scar, focusing on tissue above and below it.As it becomes less sensitive, place the pads of your fingertips just above the scar line. Work more into areas where the skin feels tighter. You should feel stretching in the tissue, but it should not be painful.
Technique – Caesarean Scar Massage
Start by gently massaging around the scar, focusing on tissue immediately above and below it. As it becomes less sensitive, place the pads of your fingertips just above the scar line. Move the skin in circles, gently up and down and side to side along the length of the scar, see diagram below. Work more into areas where the skin feels tighter. You should feel stretching in the tissue, but it should not be painful.
As this becomes easier, push your fingers firmly down into the tummy muscles and repeat the circular, up-and-down and side-to-side movements. Feel free to massage the entire lower tummy area. You must be firm but not aggressive as you massage: let pain be your guide. A slight tingling sensation as you stretch tissues is normal. Keep massaging into deeper areas as pain allows.
When you are comfortable with the first two, roll the scar between your thumb and finger. It may take some days or weeks before you can do this one.
As your scar heals, the scar tissue can become sensitive, painful, or raised. Scar massage can help reduce these symptoms.
Feel free to massage the entire lower tummy area. You must be firm but not aggressive as you massage: let pain be your guide. A slight tingling sensation as you stretch tissues is normal. Keep massaging into deeper areas as pain allows.
Continuing Problems – When To Seek Advice:
Speak to your GP or midwife if you have any signs of infection: worsening redness, heat, oozing or discharge and generally feeling unwell.
If you have any of the symptoms below seek advice from your GP or midwife, who can then refer you to a pelvic health physiotherapist.
- If you have excessive weakness around the abdominal area.
- Heaviness/bulging sensation in the area between your vagina and your bottom.
- Any problems with loss of bladder or bowel control, such as leaking wee or poo or having to rush to the toilet.
- Difficulties or pain with sexual intercourse.