ScarWork
Relieve tightness, tingling, pain and numbness to restore mobility and ease around your scars
A natural, non-aggressive treatment for scars at least 6 months old
ScarWork is a gentle, painless technique used to reintegrate scar tissue into the fascial matrix.
Benefits of ScarWork
ScarWork is a gentle technique best performed on mature scars that are at least 6 months old, with no residual inflammation or fluid leakage. The goal of ScarWork is to integrate scar tissue into the fascial web. It was originally developed by Sharon Wheeler, a renowned bodyworker and teacher in the Structural Integration community.
The effects of scarring are often underestimated and rarely treated well. Collagen is laid down during the repair process, which results in a thickened fibrous mass that impedes circulation and congests lymph flow. Additionally, severing of nerves can result in numbness, often for years after the initial incident. Scars can drag and pull to create restricted movement in the surrounding area. They can also affect the body’s energy meridians which impedes the flow of vital energy called “qi” in Tradtional Chinese Medicine.
The work is rarely painful and extensive changes can be felt from the first session. The cosmetic effect is delightful and the functional changes can be profound. Natural and surgical scars respond immediately, followed by a short period of rapid healing and continued improvement. Paired with mindful exercises to complement the ScarWork, the improvements are long-lasting.
Scar tissue quality changes quickly and easily. Lumps, gaps, ridges, holes, bumps, knots, and strings in the tissue rapidly smooth out into a three dimensional fascial web. The work starts with the surface layers and goes into the far reaches of the scar including work with any involved viscera. ScarWork often results in large whole body integration shifts along with trauma resolution, and nerve-impaired numbness usually resolves within a session.
ScarWork can fit seamlessly into a Rolfing® series or be used as a stand-alone intervention.
Photo Credit: Sarah Ingham Therapies. 9 x 30 minute treatments over 11 months
The benefits of ScarWork are often felt from the very first session.
Is This the Right Support for Me?
If your scar is giving you any of the following problems, then ScarWork is likely to help: numbness, tingling, pain. burning, itching, hypersensitivity, atrophy (muscle tissue wastage) postural distortion, reduced range of motion, loss of flexibility, feeling of coldness, or a feeling of “disconnection” between parts of the body. Scars often occur as part of a stressful or traumatic event, so it is normal to experience emotions and memories when the scar is contacted and worked with. Our practitioner has also trained in Somatic Experiencing®, so she can hold space and process the psycho-emotional effects with you in the interest of holistic healing. Note: ScarWork does not have much effect on keloids.
What To Expect
We’ll begin with a thorough intake to understand your body history, conditions, and reasons for seeking ScarWork. Clients are encouraged to dress so that the practitioner can directly access the skin of the scar and surrounding area.
It is recommended to lighten your physical activity for 7 days after receiving ScarWork. For example, if you normally walk 5 miles per day, try 2.5 miles per day instead. This temporary adjustment will support your healing.
It is generally recommended to plan for at least 2 sessions per scar, spaced 1-4 weeks apart. We’ll tailor your treatment plan to you.
Our ScarWork Specialist
CHELSEY KAPUSCINSKI
Founder of Brooklyn Mindbody Collective
Certified Rolfer®, Adv. Yoga Instructor, Thai Bodyworker, Student of Somatic Experiencing®
Review of ScarWork
“I found Chelsey’s ScarWork to be a powerful and unique experience that I would recommend to anyone, but especially those who are interested in rejuvenating areas of the body that have been affected by surgery or other traumatic events. Chelsey is a highly experienced bodyworker who is highly sensitive and creative. Like a true artist, she uses the techniques as a framework for improvisation, following the body’s cues and placing her attention to where her intuition leads her. The actual ScarWork is almost deceptively gentle. At several points while Chelsey was working on my scars, her touch was so light that I felt lulled into a state of deep calm. But the gentleness of the manipulations are not indicative of the power of this modality. Even after one session, there was visible and clear change in the appearance of the scars, as well as softening of hardened tissue, and an altered sense of sensation and flexibility in the areas she addressed. She described the work as gently unraveling layers, and it did feel like her attention was re-educating the body to find new energetic, and more inclusive pathways through and around the scar tissue. Even as an energy worker myself I don’t know of any other practitioners who are addressing scar tissue in this way, coaxing it into a state of reintegration with the whole.”
— Client with c-section scar and foot surgery scars, 3 x 60 min treatments
Pricing
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$170 | 60 min
$20 discount for cash payment
Add-on options to complement ScarWork
Physiyoga - 30 min $55
Supports recovery of strength and mobility after ScarWork. Includes movement assessment and tailored corrective exercises to restore healthy anatomical function in everyday life and in the exercises you enjoy. You will not get this personalized attention on Youtube or Instagram!
Thai Hot Herbal Compress - $25
Softens the scar tissue and surrounding area for advanced relief from pain, tightness, inflammation, or numbness using all natural Thai herbs