REHABILITATION DEPARTMENT OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

SCAR TISSUE MOBILIZATION

When wounds heal, random matted collagen fibers are deposited on the wound. The goal of scar tissue mobilization is to reorganize scar tissue so that the collagen fibers are organized in a parallel manner. Use either cocoa butter or hand lotion with lanolin to do your massage. You need to use firm pressure in order to create a gliding, sliding scar. If you notice any puckering or dimpling along the scar, pay special attention to those areas. You want to feel the scar moving underneath your thumb or finger. You need to massage the scar in three different ways. It does not matter which order you begin in. 1. Massage across the scar.

2. Massage up and down the scar.

3. Massage in a circular motion across the scar.

If you notice any increased swelling you can also massage your hand starting with the fingertips and working toward the wrist. Put even pressure along the fingers to try to milk the fluid back toward your arm. When doing this, make sure to keep your arm elevated.
Kasch, M.C. & Walsh, J.M. (2006) Chapter 39. Hand and upper extremity injuries. In. H.M. Pendleton & W. Schultz-Krohn (eds). Pedrettis Occupational therapy: Practice skills for physical dysfunction (6th ed. pp. 983-1019). St. Louis: Mosby, Inc.