Massage

Scar Tissue Break Down Restoration Chiropractor

If left untreated/unmanaged, scar tissue could lead to mobility and chronic pain issues. Individuals recovering from a traumatic injury often have issues brought on by scar tissue. Scar tissue build-up is part of the healing process, but in some cases, the tissue build-up can create another set of health issues. Restricted mobility, range of motion, and lack of flexibilityΒ can worsen over time.

Chiropractors are taught to consider the presence of scar tissue when performing adjustments. This is especially true for patients recovering from a traumatic injury. If left untreated, it could affect:

  • Recovery progress
  • Treatment approaches
  • The capability of the individual to handle the treatment
  • The planning and execution of a chiropractic recovery strategy

Breakdown

The tissue can be broken up, managed, and kept loose/relaxed through various chiropractic/physical therapy techniques, stretches, exercises, and diet adjustments. Breaking up scar tissue and keeping it relaxed is necessary to restore full movement and range of motion. A certain degree of tissue will remain to mark the wound, but the pliability and softness of these tissues can be treated. Chiropractors can implement several techniques.

Graston Technique

TheΒ Graston technique uses instrumentation to address scarring inΒ soft-tissue areasΒ like theΒ legs, neck, and lower back. A chiropractor targets the thicker scar tissue areas, gently breaking them down.

Instrument Adjustment

Chiropractors can target specific areas of scar tissue buildup using a pulsating instrument. The instrument massages the areas to improve flexibility and reduce stress in the tissue.

Assisted Manipulation

The assisted manipulation techniqueΒ soothes the area before performing manual adjustments. A chiropractor could use light oil for heat, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulationΒ to loosen tension, or numbing gel/cream to soften any sensitivity.

Trigger point therapy

This therapy focuses onΒ heavily scarred tissue areasΒ where there isΒ substantial buildup. A chiropractor breaks down the scar tissue whileΒ continually testing the motion.

Therapeutic massage

Therapeutic massage is necessary with widespread scar tissue. It improves blood flow and gently stimulates scar tissue to improve movement and alleviate pain. TheseΒ techniques and how they are applied depending on the individual and the amount of tissue build-up. For example, certain techniques work better for different situations like:

  • The Graston technique could help after surgery
  • Trigger point therapy can help when muscle spasms, and knots present
  • Therapeutic massage could be best suited for soft tissue scarring, like whiplash or muscle strains

Adjustment Attention

Recent injuries that produce scar tissue can usually be felt while a chiropractor palpates the area, while radiological imaging shows scar tissue from past injuries. AΒ chiropractor will take note of these areas when developing a treatment plan. Severe scar tissue will need special focus, which could mean a longer recovery. This is because the body could take longer to adjust to the adjustments being made. AΒ thorough consultation and investigation will be performed/examined before any adjustments begin.


Whiplash Chiropractic Massage Therapy


References

Shin, Thuzar M, and Jeremy S Bordeaux. β€œThe role of massage in scar management: a literature review.” Dermatologic surgery: official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.]Β vol. 38,3 (2012): 414-23. doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2011.02201.x

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General Disclaimer *

Professional Scope of Practice *

The information on this blog site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

Blog Information & Scope Discussions

Welcome to El Paso's Premier Wellness and Injury Care Clinic & wellness blog, where Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, FNP-C, a board-certified Family Practice Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) and Chiropractor (DC), presents insights on how our team is dedicated to holistic healing and personalized care. Our practice aligns with evidence-based treatment protocols inspired by integrative medicine principles, similar to those found on this site and our family practice-based chiromed.comΒ site, focusing on restoring health naturally for patients of all ages.

Our areas of chiropractic practice include Β Wellness & Nutrition, Chronic Pain, Personal Injury, Auto Accident Care, Work Injuries, Back Injury, Low Back Pain, Neck Pain, Migraine Headaches, Sports Injuries, Severe Sciatica, Scoliosis, Complex Herniated Discs, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, Complex Injuries, Stress Management, Functional Medicine Treatments, and in-scope care protocols.

Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicine, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research studies or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies that are available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how they may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to discuss the subject matter above further, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.

We are here to help you and your family.

Blessings

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, APRN, FNP-BC*, CCST, IFMCP, CFMP, ATN

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807
New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182

Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Texas & MultistateΒ 
Texas RN License # 1191402Β 
ANCC FNP-BC: Board Certified Nurse Practitioner*
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*

Graduate with Honors: ICHS: MSN-FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)
Degree Granted. Masters in Family Practice MSN Diploma (Cum Laude)

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC*, CFMP, IFMCP, ATN, CCST
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