Is Acupuncture An Effective Scar Tissue Treatment?

At some point in our lives, we’ve all experienced a traumatic event, which has resulted in not only physical scars but emotional scars also. Perhaps you suffered a sporting injury, burns, injuries from a car accident, or an attack; whatever the event, the scars that remain are with us for life. But, perhaps this need not be. Acupuncture may be an effective form of treatment.

Scars impact the body’s spiritual and physical health and well-being and are often the underlying cause of chronic pain and fatigue issues. Emotions are often linked to a scar. A scar isn’t just a reminder of the injury, but the psychological trauma that came with the event, to be recalled and, in some cases, relived every time we see the scar. This reminder can have a significant effect on our bodies. We tighten up inside and send a message to our body to react in a certain way. As a result, we start experiencing pain and issues in seemingly unrelated areas of our bodies – yet, they stem from our scar tissue. Moreover, the scar may be now impacting our bodies ability to heal.

Scar Tissue and Seemingly Unrelated Pain

Scar tissue, including long-forgotten scars, contribute to a tightening of the connective tissues in the body, which may restrict natural movement. Therefore a musculoskeletal or joint issue may occur, presenting symptoms that aren’t effectively released.

The scar is the foundation issue, yet it is now causing new issues across your body. One such example is caesarian tightness, which may present 5-7 years after giving birth. It can contribute to a range of health issues relating to sinus, headaches, neck, and shoulders many years on.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners believe that one must first unblock the body’s natural energy flow (qi) to re-establish its balance of physical and spiritual well-being. Only then can the pain and other issues related to the scar tissue be treated more effectively.

Acupuncture may help to resolve scar tension and may help your body to begin healing.

A series of limited quality case reports published by Rogers in 1982 demonstrates this belief. Rogers stated that patients with abdominal scars were treated for weight gain, deafness, fatigue, back pain, and headaches. He also noted that acupuncture, applied to the scars and the area of the presenting problem, reduced the abnormal colouring and sensitivity of the scars and resolved or significantly improved the presenting problem (except in one case of deafness).’

Acupuncture for Scar Tissue Pain

While scar tissue may lead to issues and pain in apparent unconnected areas of our bodies, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes, it can simply be the scar itself, producing the pain. In such cases, there is evidence that acupuncture can be effective in reducing scar tissue pain.

The Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies published a case report[i] where a 48-year old female was treated with acupuncture for her severe scar pain. Using the Wei Ci technique and distal points Hegu-LI-4, Taichong-LIV-3, Zusanli-ST-36, her scar pain decreased from 7 to 1 or 2 on the  Likert scale.

How Acupuncture May Treat Scar Tissue

Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners believe that scars ‘block’ or modify qi flow along meridian channels, causing a systemic energy imbalance. This imbalance leads to dysfunction elsewhere in the body (i.e. the ‘seemingly unrelated issues’ mentioned above). By resolving the tension in the scar with acupuncture and resetting the body’s natural energy flow (qi), chronic issues such as pain and fatigue may be relieved.

Thus, when using acupuncture as a form of treatment for scar tissue, the acupuncture needle access and ‘unblocks’ the flow of Qi mechanically, re-establishing the balance of an individual’s physical and spiritual health and well-being.

Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners also believe that treating these ‘seemingly unrelated issues’ may be futile if qi’s flow isn’t first ‘unblocked’.

If you have scar tissues and are experiencing pain in your body, acupuncture may benefit you. You can learn more about acupuncture as a possible treatment option and find a Gold Coast acupuncturist on our website.

You may make an appointment with a qualified Gold Coast acupuncturist at Ultra Health Therapies either online or by calling 07 5571 0001.

[i] The Successful Treatment of Pain Associated with Scar Tissue Using Acupuncture