Hand Spring Bodywork

This explanation is about external scars that are visible, even if sometimes hard-to-see. When surgery has been performed, or other damage has occurred, scar tissue forms not only on the skin but on all the internal wounds as well.

There are many layers to our tissues. First, the skin, which is relatively thin; then superficial fascia, a fluffy fat-filled connective tissue; then deep fascia, a tough fibrous membrane; then muscle, and deeper still, depending on where on the body we are, bone and/or organs. All of these are connected by, enveloped and interwoven with connective tissue. Without damage or surgery, all these of layers are able to move freely, sliding over each other in whatever movement our body makes.

Smoothly gliding layers of normal tissue.

Collagen is the main component of that provides strength to healing wounds. Collagen is very strong, but not elastic. When not manipulated, a scar will typically be denser and less moveable than normal tissue.

The illustration shows the binding effect of a scar. Instead of sliding smoothly and easily over each other, the fascial layers are stuck down through the layers. This binding effect can restrict motion both nearby and in distant structures in sometimes subtle ways.

Scar tissue binds layers, inhibiting movement

"Wound contraction is a normal part of healing and involves migration of wound margins toward the center. Some wounds continue to contract after closure, and a disfiguring scar or disability results. The ability of a wound to close depend in part on the flexibility of the surrounding skin. ... Contractures may interfere with joint mobility or with other body movements, such as breathing and head movement. They can occur in any area, in skin, and in subcutaneous tissue as well as after bone fractures and tendon, muscle, or nerve injuries."¹

Without good mobilization, the tissue layers can stick together, restricting the movement of the fascia layers, and consequently can affect movement of nearby joints and underlying or even distant structures. Once your wound has fully healed, it can be manipulated, even if it is painful at first. Gradually, with manipulation, the area will become less sensitive and more flexible.

Even mature scars that are decades old can benefit and improve with regular manipulation. If you work with your scar daily, it will change rapidly in both appearance and comfort.

1. Sideways pressure. Be sure to go in both directions.

1. Sideways pressure

2. S-Shaped pressure. Do this in both directions, the whole length of the scar.

2. S-Shaped pressure

3. Skin Rolling. This also works very well for puncture wounds such as those for arthroscopic surgery. Pick up the loose layer of skin around the scar, and roll in all directions so that you're also picking up the scar itself.

3. Skin Rolling

3. Skin Rolling

Having highly developed sensitivity in the hands, an ML practitioner can determine if a scar is causing a problem, and which part of the scar is contributing most to a dysfunction. Sometimes, it is not the scar itself, but the skin nearby which has been affected by the tensions created by the scar.

ML treatment of scars and skin is much faster, gentler, and less painful than the techniques shown above.

After treatment by recoil, the scar will gradually improve in appearance and rapidly improve in comfort. While the skin will never regain normal pigmentation, angry red scars will fade and although still visible and unpigmented, will move and feel like the rest of the body.

In the practice of ML the following correlations are frequently found: urinary tract dysfunction and chronic pelvic pain related to gynecological scars or appendectomy; neck pain related to face lift scars; frozen shoulder and other upper extremity problems related to heart or breast surgery.