Scar tissue underpins many injuries

The dense tissue that forms after injury is an essential process but it can also be problematic. And it doesn’t even require an injury to form. Scar tissue forms either:

• in response to injury, as it acts to bind the damaged tissues of a joint, tendon or ligament back together.
• in response to lack of oxygen; when your muscles don’t get the oxygen they need, free radicals begin to accumulate in a given region, which attracts the cells responsible for scar tissue.

Scar tissue is inferior to your original, healthy tissue; it is less pliable and weaker. When unadressed, this scar tissue can form adhesions which affect the muscles and can even trap nerves, causing pain and dysfunction. In the wake of any injury, it is important to pay attention to scar tissue build up and take preventative steps to stop it from causing further damage.

What problems can scar tissue cause?

As we see it, the most pressing issues that result from scar tissue accumulation include:

• Shortening of the muscles: the thicker fibers of scar tissue are less elastic than normal healthy tissue; lost elacity in the muscle contributes to lost range of motion.
• Nerve entrapment: nerves can become bound to muscles by scar tissue, which means when the muscle is activated the nerve is stimulated and pain ensues. 
• Increased tension throughout the body: scar tissue interferes with the proper function of muscles and pulls your body out of alignment which leads to symptoms including subluxation and spinal degeneration. 

When left to its own devices, scar tissues causes more pain while taking away from your standard mobility and range of motion.

What can we do about scar tissue adhesion

Fortunately, scar tissue adhesion can be addressed with chiropractic. At our office in Sacramento, we use natural modalities including the Graston Technique, which is specifically tailored for breaking up scar tissue adhesion. We then focus on enacting a plan of stretching and strengthening to restore elasticity and mobility to the affected soft tissues. If you are suffering from the effects of scar tissue adhesion, give our office in Sacramento a call to schedule an appointment today.