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Integrative Family Health Clinic in Bolton and the Greater Caledon Area
4-22 Simona Drive
Bolton, ON
(905)-951-7134
admin@wildflowerhw.com

Tag: c-section

Graston Technique Wildflower Health and Wellness Osteopathy Pain Scar Tissue

Treating Scar Tissue with the Graston Technique

 

45% of all chronic diseases treated in hospitals are related to fibrosis or scar tissue. Fibrosis occurs when the body’s tissues get damaged, sometimes due to surgery, a disease, or injury. To fill in the tear or cut, thick, healthy tissue made of collagen cells gets created. Although scar tissue is part of the body’s natural regenerative process, it can cause other health issues.

If left unmanaged, scar tissue can restrict movement, cause nerve pain, cause numbness, and lead to joint contractures. To manage scar tissue and prevent these consequences, patients are recommended to see a physical therapist for manual massage therapy. This helps to remodel the scar tissue and realign all the collagen fibres.

 

What is the Graston Technique?

The Graston Technique is a highly effective method of manual therapy for scar tissue. It involves using a stainless-steel instrument that is specifically designed for this purpose. When used by a registered massage therapist or physical therapist, the Graston Technique can help remodel the scar tissue in a pain-free way.

Cross fibre massage for scar tissue is a well-known, evidence-based treatment. The Graston Technique allows the practitioner to gain a better sense where there is resistance in the tissue. They can use the tool’s edges and surfaces to gently massage the tissue from different angles.

Who is the Graston Technique for?

There are numerous conditions that the Graston Technique can help with. Combined with other treatments, it can treat carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, tennis elbow, back pain, shin splints, and more. It’s commonly used to address post-surgery scarring, especially in women post-mastectomy or post-Cesarean.

However, it’s rarely a standalone treatment. Your practitioner will also likely use manual therapy with their hands as well as other forms of treatment depending on where your scar tissue is located.

What Happens During a Session?

When you book a scar tissue massage, your appointment will be similar to any other RMT session. You will consult with the practitioner on how your body has been feeling, where it’s sore, and the status of your scar tissue. It’s important not to massage any open scars or unhealed wounds.

Then, you will remove your clothing (if you wish) and lay on the massage table. In addition to traditional manual therapy of the muscles and tissues, the practitioner will use a stainless-steel tool for the Graston Technique. They will gently run the tool across your scar tissue, assessing its tightness and restriction. Cross fibre massage (with an instrument or just the practitioner’s hands) helps break up scar tissue.

How Effective is the Graston Technique?

The Graston Technique has been proven to be effective in breaking down collagen fibres and stretching fibrous tissues. Not only does it increase blood flow to the area, but it also reduces the amount of pain you feel in the area. It can reduce recovery time from injuries and decrease the amount of treatment you need, in addition to other benefits.

You can read more about the empirical and anecdotal evidence on the effectiveness of this treatment on the Graston Technique website.

Where Can I Receive Treatment with the Graston Technique?

Wildflower Health & Wellness is proud to offer registered massage therapy treatments which incorporate the Graston Technique. Our practitioners have completed the accredited Graston Technique training and are fully licensed to provide this service.

Simply call our clinic at 905-951-7134 or book an appointment online here.

 

 

Postpartum Support

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Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Postpartum

Ever wonder why pelvic floor physiotherapy has stirred up some great conversation topics amongst friends and family with little ones? After giving birth, a woman’s body, in particular her pelvic floor, has gone through an array of changes. Whether you’ve had a vaginal or cesarean birth, the pelvic floor and other soft tissue structures surrounding have been affected. Other determinants that can affect your pelvic floor structures include the size of your baby, the duration of labour, the delivery method used, and the number or pregnancies you’ve had.

Take a look at the statements below, do any of these sound familiar?

“I am peeing my pants when I laugh, cough, sneeze or jump!”

“I am noticing doming of my belly when lifting my child or rolling out of bed”

“I had a c-section and I can’t stand looking at my scar, it also hurts to touch.”

“It hurts to have intercourse.”

“I’m nervous to have intercourse again, I don’t know what it’s like down there after the baby.”

“I feel like there’s a golf ball pushing out of my vagina.”

“I want to get back into the gym, but not sure what exercises to do and not do at this point.”

If any of these statements or thoughts have crossed your mind since having your baby, a visit to see the pelvic floor physiotherapist is a MUST!

Checklist

Here is a simple checklist that you can also use to see whether or not you should pick up the phone and make an appointment with your physiotherapist:

Ο   6 weeks after having a vaginal birth

Ο   8 weeks after having a cesarean section

Ο   Diagnosed with Diastasis Recti or “Mummy Tummy”

Ο   Experiencing urinary or fecal incontinence

Ο   Diagnosed with a POP (pelvic organ prolapse)

Ο   Pelvic pain with or without intercourse

Ο   Getting back to the gym, running, etc.

Ο   Lower back pain, hip pain, shoulder pain

Ο   Episiotomy performed during delivery

Ο   Any grade 1-4 tearing during labour and delivery

If, after having your six-week follow up with your doctor, OBGYN, and/or midwife, any of the above have been mentioned, seeing a pelvic floor physiotherapist can impact the healing and function of your pelvic structures after having your baby. The results of regular physiotherapy treatment for a minimum of an 8-week period have demonstrated positive tissue healing and a strong, functional pelvic floor regardless of complications with birth.

– Nabila Jutha, PT

[/bt_text][bt_hr top_spaced=”topSmallSpaced” bottom_spaced=”bottomSmallSpaced” transparent_border=”noBorder” el_class=”” el_style=”” responsive=””][/bt_hr][bt_row_inner][bt_column_inner width=”1/1″ align=”center” cell_padding=”default” vertical_align=”inherit” highlight=”no_highlight” background_color=”” opacity=”” el_class=”” el_style=””][bt_button text=”Postpartum Recovery Starts Here – Work with WHW!” icon=”” url=”https://wildflowerhw.janeapp.com/” target=”_self” style=”Outline” icon_position=”Inline” color=”Accent” size=”Medium” width=”Normal” el_class=”” el_style=”” responsive=””][/bt_button][/bt_column_inner][/bt_row_inner][bt_hr top_spaced=”topSmallSpaced” bottom_spaced=”bottomSemiSpaced” transparent_border=”noBorder” el_class=”” el_style=”” responsive=””][/bt_hr][bt_dropdown title=”References” dd_content=”Allen, R., Hosker, G., Smith, A. and Warrell, D. (1991). Pelvic Floor Damage and Childbirth. Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey, 46(4), pp.209-210.;#
Handa, V., Blomquist, J., McDermott, K., Friedman, S. and Muñoz, A. (2012). Pelvic Floor Disorders After Childbirth: Effect of Episiotomy, Perineal Laceration, and Operative Birth. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 119(2, Part 1), pp.233-239.;#
Morkved, S. and Bo, K. (2000). Effect of postpartum pelvic floor muscle training in prevention and treatment of urinary incontinence: a one-year follow up. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 107(8), pp.1022-1028.;#” el_class=”” el_style=”” responsive=””][/bt_dropdown][bt_hr top_spaced=”topSmallSpaced” bottom_spaced=”bottomSemiSpaced” transparent_border=”noBorder” el_class=”” el_style=”” responsive=””][/bt_hr][/bt_column][/bt_row][/bt_section]