The journey of new motherhood is full of twists and turns — some are sublime, some can be frustrating, or even painful.
For our C-section (Caesarean) mums, we see you. C-section surgery is a major abdominal surgery that can add challenges to a woman’s postpartum recovery, both physical and psychological.
In 2022, almost 2 in 5 mothers (39%) had a caesarean section birth. This is an increase from 32% in 2010.
While the body is capable of healing, scarring from C-section can sometimes create long-term challenges. Common issues can include:
tight pulling sensation around the scar
persistent numbness
lumpiness in the abdomen and the C-section scar itself
‘shelf like’ or ‘pouch’ appearance
struggling to reconnect with your abdominal muscles
C-section scars don’t just affect the skin; they extend deep into the fascia and connective tissues. The potential impact of scars on underlying structures and tissues can also limit muscle function and flexibility, alter sensation, and contribute to breathing difficulties, digestive issues, and self-consciousness. This can affect posture, strength, mobility, touch, pain perception, digestive and respiratory issues, and overall well-being.
How Scar Release Therapy Helps C-Section Recovery
C-Section Scar Release Therapy utilises a combination of breathing, manual techniques, and exercises. It is a highly effective scar reduction treatment that addresses both chronic pain and deep tissue scarring from C-sections that can occur post-surgery.
Scar release therapy is a gentle hands-on treatment designed to improve the mobility, texture, and function of C-section scars. It can work by:
Softening and breaking down adhesions
Improving circulation and lymphatic flow for better C-section scar healing stages
Restoring core and pelvic floor coordination
Easing discomfort and tension around the abdomen
Beyond physical benefits, many women also experience emotional relief—as C-section scars are deeply tied to the birth experience, treatment can help release tension stored in the body.
Women’s Health Hub C-Section Release Session Process
Initial Discussion & Movement Assessment
We start by discussing how your C-section scar recovery is going, where you are feeling tension or discomfort, and what sensations you are experiencing in your body.
You’ll then be guided through simple spinal movements while we observe your posture to assess any restrictions or imbalances.
Breathing Assessment
We assess whether you can access a deep 360-degree breath, which stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system—the part of the nervous system that supports healing.
If there are any restrictions in your breathing, this may indicate areas of tension in your tissues or fascia that need attention.
Identifying Restrictions & Planning Treatment
The assessments help us determine where restrictions exist in your tissues and fascia.
From here, we develop a personalised treatment plan to target these areas and restore mobility.
Hands-On Treatment
The session may include a combination of the following techniques to release tension, improve circulation, and promote healing:
Myofascial release – to ease restrictions in connective tissues.
C-section scar massage – to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, stimulating collagen for healing.
Cupping, guasha, and dry needling – to stimulate tissue regeneration and further release adhesions.
Full-Body Consideration
The areas we cover will include the abdomen and the C-section scar itself, addressing adhesions that form during wound healing to keep new tissue in place but can then bind with other tissues, causing adhesions. These adhesions can restrict movement and can cause pain in other areas beyond the scar area itself.
To help relieve this pain, the treatment may extend to the upper chest, the shoulders, and the lower back. Some of these tensions/restrictions may be from pregnancy itself. We consider not only the muscles and other soft tissues but also the fascial lines of the body, and sometimes treatment may even extend to the legs.
This ensures the treatment extends beyond C-section scar recovery, supporting the woman's overall healing and well-being.
Restoring Core Function & Movement Patterns
Surgery can cause muscular inhibition, causing some muscles to switch off. This can also cause facilitated muscles (that are communicating well with the nervous system) to do the inhibited muscles work, causing dysfunction.
After the manual therapy, we will guide you through some exercises to help you reconnect with your core. This will be taught alongside some self-release and self-C-section massage techniques to continue your healing at home.
At Women’s Health Hub, our C-section Scar Release sessions focus on both physical healing and emotional processing, empowering you to reconnect with your body.
When to Seek Scar Release Therapy
We recommend starting once at least six weeks post-birth, once scar has fully healed and you feel both emotionally and physically ready to do so.
Also, if, during pregnancy, in 2nd or 3rd trimester, you are experiencing pain, pulling, or tightness from the stretching/growing of your baby, or if you are planning a VBAC, treatment may also be beneficial.
However, C-section scar massage and release therapy isn’t just for new scars—you can still benefit from treatment years or even decades after your surgery. Over time, your body may have adapted to restrictions caused by your scar, leading to compensations that can contribute to back pain, neck tension, and mobility issues.
It’s never “too late” for scar therapy—treatment can help restore movement, relieve discomfort, and support your overall well-being, no matter how long ago your C-section was.
Book A Consultation
If you're unsure whether massage or physiotherapy is the right choice for you, our Women's Health Hub team is here to help. Book a consultation with our scar tissue-qualified massage therapist, Elissa, to get expert guidance.
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