How scar massage can improve a C-section overhang

C-section overhangs are a common issue clients come to me for help with. By massaging the scar and the surrounding tissue we can improve the look (and feel) of their overhang.

C-section scar massage uses specialised massage techniques to improve the look and feel of C-section scars.

Often clients experience swelling above and below the scar that remains weeks and even months post birth which is a common issue after surgery. By massaging here and using compression techniques we can aid the lymphatic system to remove any excess fluid from the area, giving a flatter appearance to the tissue surrounding the scar.

The scar you can see may be quite low down but the deeper scars in the layers below the skin may have been cut a bit higher up. Remember that during a C-section your surgeon cuts through 7 layers of tissue. This means there is regularly scar tissue contributing to a hard protruding overhang that is often not considered because those scars are not visible. C-section scar massage can help release and soften this scar tissue, softening off the appearance of the overhang and flattening out your tummy.

The scar you can see can be tight, pulled in and stuck down to the below tissue. When this happens it creates an overhang. C-section scar massage can release and soften the scar itself and help lift it away from the tissue below. This frees up the scar making it move better and glides over the surrounding tissue more. By doing this, the scar becomes more in line with the tissues around it, further helping your tummy to appear flatter.

C-section scar massage is the number one thing we recommend for easing an overhang but there are other important things to consider in your postnatal recovery to improve your overhang:

• Postnatal nutrition - feeding your body what it needs to heal effectively, reduce swelling and pain, and improve muscle function is really worth investing some thought into. We know how easy it can be to slip into bad habits of relying on fast food, sugar and caffeine when you’re figuring out life as a new mum, but this can really impact your scar recovery.

• Core and pelvic floor rehabilitation - particularly focusing on re-engaging with your deep, lower abdominal muscles and your core system which includes your pelvic floor muscles can directly impact how you look and feel in that area.

• Rest - this doesn’t have to mean doing nothing at all, because for most people that’s really difficult to achieve, but preparing in advance to allow yourself to do the minimum for the first 2 weeks after your C-section birth allows your scar to heal better. We’ve seen and heard so many stories from new mama’s who have done too much in the early days after surgery who have then really struggled with poor healing, pain, increased scar tissue and infection which often leads to a less functional scar.

• Posture - your body has changed so much during pregnancy, and we often get stuck in these habits after your baby has arrived. Add in the effects of breastfeeding, or carrying your baby, rocking to sleep and constantly bending to lower or lift your baby into seats, bassinets, or buggies and it’s easy to see why your posture might be suffering. But some postures cause more pressure or strain to your scar area, which can really affect how it heals, how it functions, and how the surrounding muscles behave.

• Breath work - it sounds simple… and it is! Breathing deeply into the abdomen and pelvis is a lovely way to stimulate the nervous system, improve blood flow to the area, improve mobility of the tissue without having to touch or move it and generally activate your core. It’s why we love to include this type of exercise in the early postpartum days, before you can start any scar massage.

All of the specialised scar massage techniques I use in my 1:1 clinic can be learnt from home and used by yourself on your scar to treat and improve your c-section overhang. We teach these scar massage techniques alongside all the other factors above in our online, self-paced postnatal and C-section recovery courses to allow you to fully heal from birth and treat your overhang from home.

The 360 Mama postnatal and C-section recovery courses are created by 3 women’s health professionals who want to empower women to fully heal from birth in a way that fits in to life as a new mum. You can enrol here.