What is scar tissue?
Scar tissue forms as part of the body’s natural repair process. After an injury or operation, the body produces collagen—a protein that helps repair and strengthen damaged tissue.
A new scar may feel firm, raised, sensitive or less flexible than the surrounding skin. Many scars gradually soften and fade as they mature, although this can take two years or longer.
Not every scar needs treatment. Physiotherapy may be helpful when discomfort, sensitivity or tightness makes movement or everyday activities difficult.
How can physiotherapy support scar recovery?
Helping movement feel more comfortable
A scar and the surrounding tissues may feel tight or pull during movement, particularly when the scar crosses a joint.
Depending on your assessment, treatment may include gentle hands-on techniques and movement exercises to help improve comfort and flexibility.
Managing sensitivity
Some healed scars feel uncomfortable when touched or rubbed by clothing. Gradually introducing gentle touch and different textures may help the area become less sensitive. This is called desensitisation.
Your therapist will explain how to practise this comfortably and adjust the approach according to your response.
Rebuilding strength and confidence
After surgery or injury, reduced movement and activity can also lead to stiffness and weakness. These changes may contribute to your symptoms alongside the scar itself.
Your programme may include mobility exercises, progressive strengthening and guidance on returning to everyday activities, work or sport.
When might scar rehabilitation help?
A physiotherapy assessment may be useful for:
- Healed scars following surgery or injury that feel tight, tender or sensitive
- A pulling sensation around a scar during movement
- Difficulty moving a nearby joint
- Discomfort from clothing or light touch
- Scar-related discomfort that makes returning to activity difficult
Raised scars, scars that continue to grow beyond the original wound, and extensive burn scars may need specialist care. Your therapist will discuss whether another service would be more appropriate or should be involved alongside rehabilitation.
What does scar treatment involve?
Treatment depends on how the scar has healed, its sensitivity and the movements you find difficult. Your plan may include:
- Gentle scar massage and skin mobilisation: carefully moving the healed skin and surrounding tissues, where appropriate.
- Sensitivity exercises: gradually building tolerance to touch and contact with clothing.
- Movement and stretching: improving comfortable movement while respecting any surgical restrictions.
- Progressive strengthening: rebuilding your ability to manage everyday activities and exercise.
- Home-care advice: explaining suitable skin care and how to carry out any recommended exercises or massage. Silicone gels or sheets may be worth discussing for some raised scars once the skin is fully healed. Your therapist can advise whether these are suitable.
Treatment aims to improve comfort and function rather than remove the scar.
What does treatment feel like?
Hands-on treatment may feel like gentle pressure or a mild stretching sensation. Sensitive scars are approached gradually, with the technique adjusted to your comfort level.
Treatment should not involve pushing through sharp pain or damaging the skin. Let your therapist know if an area feels painful or becomes irritated so the treatment can be adjusted.
You may also practise simple movements or sensitivity exercises during the appointment, with guidance on what to continue at home.
Scar rehabilitation at PhysioB
Your one-hour consultation includes a discussion of your injury or operation, how the wound healed, your medical history and any instructions from your surgical team.
We assess the scar and surrounding area, how you move and which activities you find difficult. Pain near a scar is not always caused by scar tissue alone, so we also consider other factors that may contribute to your symptoms.
You can book your consultation together with a 30-minute scar massage session, giving you a 90-minute appointment in total. The consultation and scar massage can also be booked separately. Massage is tailored to how your scar has healed, its sensitivity and your comfort. We agree on practical goals with you and review changes in comfort, sensitivity, movement and everyday function as treatment progresses.
When can scar treatment begin?
Direct scar massage should begin only once the wound is fully closed and healed, with no open areas, scabs or discharge, and any relevant medical restrictions have been considered.
There is no single starting date that suits everyone. The type of surgery or injury, along with how well the wound is healing, determines what is appropriate.
Other parts of rehabilitation may begin earlier under the guidance of your treating team. Please bring any post-operative instructions to your appointment.
When should I seek medical advice?
Seek urgent medical advice if the area becomes increasingly red, hot, swollen or painful, if the wound opens or produces pus, or if you develop a fever or feel unwell. Contact your surgical team, GP or NHS 111, and avoid direct scar treatment until you have been advised that it is appropriate.
A scar that continues to enlarge, repeatedly breaks down or significantly restricts movement should also be reviewed by an appropriate clinician.
How many sessions will I need?
The number of appointments and the time between them depend on your symptoms, how the scar has healed, your stage of recovery and your goals.
Some people mainly need assessment and a home programme, while others benefit from ongoing support. Your physiotherapist will review your progress and discuss whether further sessions are likely to be useful.
Book an assessment at PhysioB
If a healed scar is causing discomfort, sensitivity or difficulty moving, book a physiotherapy assessment at PhysioB in Ealing, London.
We will assess your symptoms, discuss your concerns and develop a plan to help you move more comfortably and manage everyday activities.
