By Jess Stinson
Caesarean rates in Australia sit around 40 per cent.
As with anything that’s common, because we see it so often, it’s easy to underestimate the impact and complexity involved.
This combined with the fact that caesarean births also have to face a stigma and attitude of being the more ‘straightforward’ option, complications and ongoing discomfort from them are often discounted and normalised.
It does not actually have to be ‘normal’ post caesarean to have ongoing discomfort, pulling, pain, tightness, stretch, scar changes, numbness or restriction of movement.
When we consider the mechanics of caesarean it makes perfect sense as to how these symptoms, from the development of scar tissue and adhesions can progress.
To deliver the baby seven layers of tissue need to be cut.
The position of these then the stretch on the tissues depends on several factors like the position of the baby, if the mother has already been through labour, how emergent the situation is. Coupling this with factors associated with how scars heal like hypermobile tissue, tendency to develop keloid scars, past caesarean’s or surgeries, infection of non-union it can actually be very easy to develop ongoing problems.
All of that without even mentioning mothers are trying to heal from these deliveries while sleep deprived and often caring for other young children.
In May I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to participate in a training for caesarian scar management with Restore Scar Therapy, a UK based group focused on addressing scar tissue.
I jumped at the chance as the complications from abdominal scar tissue is something I have been noticing a lot in the clinic, not just from caesarean’s but also after other abdominal surgeries like laparoscopies and hysterectomies and other complex conditions like endometriosis.
The restore scar therapy method is a holistic, hands on and very gentle approach.
It aims to reduce the impact of scar tissue by promoting the movement of skin and tissue under scars, improve circulation and lymphatic drainage and reduce neural sensitivity (pins and needles, numbness and sensitivity to touch).
After seeing the tutors demonstrate a few case studies and the effectiveness of the approach I was hooked and it is amazing how effective it can be.
The complications from these scar presentations don’t necessarily go away on their own. It is not uncommon to hear about ongoing pain, discomfort and inability to exercise from scar sites years down the road.
I am so excited to be able to offer this as a treatment option.
If you have any questions or feel that scar therapy could be an option for you, please get in contact with us at the clinic.
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