Caesarean scars can cause pain, adhesions, hernias and adhesions. Osteopathy can be an effective method for treating cesarean section scars. Studies have shown that osteopathic treatment can improve scar healing and reduce pain and discomfort. The
Osteopathy will take into account a woman's individual needs and the treatment will be tailored accordingly.
In Germany, on average, one in three children is born by caesarean section (2021). This means that every third woman who has given birth has a scar. These cesarean section scars can lead to various complications and cause a number of health problems. These include pain and restrictions in mobility, which can occur locally or in a generalized manner. Under certain circumstances, a future pregnancy and birth can also be affected by the existing cesarean section scar. With its various techniques and its knowledge of connections, osteopathy can offer effective support and treatment in dealing with scar complications.
A cesarean scar is a visible scar that occurs when the uterus was opened during childbirth. In some cases the scars heal well and do not cause any further problems. If this is not the case, various complications can arise.
Possible complications are:
Pain and restricted movement: Pain often occurs directly at the scar site and can be triggered by movement or touch. As a result, movement restrictions or the avoidance of certain movements may occur.
Discomfort in the scar area: In addition to pain, numbness or itching may also occur in the scar area.
Adhesions: During the healing process of the various tissue layers that are severed during a Caesarean section, adhesions can occur between different layers and surrounding tissue or organs. This can in turn result in pain and functional limitations.
Hypertrophy of a scar: In some cases, excessive growth of the scar tissue occurs, a hypertrophy.
Hernias: Hernias are protrusions of the peritoneum with intestinal contents. Since cesarean section scars represent a “weak point” in the abdominal area, the risk of hernias is increased.
Birth complications: After a cesarean section, complications can occur in subsequent births.
It should also be mentioned at this point that cesarean section scars can also have psychological effects and can have an influence on couple relationships and sexual life.
Osteopathy can be an effective method for treating Caesarean section scars or their complications or consequences. Possible goals of treatment include loosening the scar tissue itself and surrounding, related structures, as well as promoting blood circulation to support healing and remodeling processes and thereby alleviating pain and improving function. Treatment can begin relatively soon after birth, but this should be decided on an individual basis depending on the need and complications.
A 2018 study examined the effects of osteopathic treatment on the treatment of cesarean scars. The study found that osteopathic treatment improved scar healing and reduced pain or discomfort. Another study from 2019 examined the effectiveness of osteopathic treatment in reducing pain and dysfunction due to cesarean section scars. An improvement was achieved in both points. The same applies to the reduction of back pain due to cesarean section scars. A pilot study also indicates that osteopathic treatment can detect tissue changes in the scar tissue, which contribute to scar healing.
It is important to note that every woman is different and that the effectiveness of osteopathic treatment depends on many factors, such as the age of the scar, the size of the scar and the individual's health status. Individual factors and possibly needs and goals can be included and taken into account in osteopathic treatment.
What is a scar?
A scar forms as the body's reaction to an injury. Scar formation is subject to precisely coordinated steps. While superficial injuries can heal without leaving any visible change in the tissue, the remaining sign of a deeper tissue injury is a scar. The tissue of a scar undergoes a restructuring of the collagen fibers, is less well supplied with blood and is less elastic. Sebaceous, hair and sweat glands are also missing in the scar area.
The healing process of an injury and scar formation is influenced by various factors and can be decisive for the speed of healing, the appearance (size, bulging, color) of a scar and any subsequent complications.
What symptoms can be associated with a cesarean section scar?
Difficulty breathing (short and superficial)
Back pain (lumbar spine)
Feeling of breaking off and no longer being able to move
More frequent, sudden tearing of the spine
ISG pain and blockages
Stiff pelvis
Hip pain
Knee pain
Tension in the shoulders and shoulder girdle
Neck tension
Headache
Jaw joint problems
Restricted mouth opening
Pain in the scar area
Not possible to sleep on your stomach
Bladder problems (pressure, incontinence, frequent urge, lack of complete emptying)
Menstrual pain, premenstrual syndrome (according to Liedler)
Blog recommendations for the curious:
Scar treatment after cesarean section – Mammacita ( https://www.mammacita.de/narbentreatment-nach-kaiserschnitt/ )
Caring for a Caesarean section scar – this is how it works ( walaarzneimittel.de ) ( https://www.walaarzneimittel.de/de/mama-kind/kaiserschnittnarbe.html )
Random Facts:
Weather sensitivity of scars: a study by the University of Munich showed that 23% of the test subjects reported weather sensitivity (pain in the scar when the weather changes).
Literature:
AS Akinbo, AE Akinbo, and AO Oluwole, "Cesarean Scar Hernia: The Place of Osteopathy," Journal of Women's Health Care, vol. 4, no. 4, pp. 1-4, 2015. doi: 10.4172/2167-0420.1000247
F. Beurskens, H. de Groot, E. Stappaerts, and MH Spaas, “The Use of Osteopathy in the Treatment of Post-Operative Adhesions after Gynecological Surgery: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study,” Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 88-95, 2014. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2013.05.010
NK Gupta, A. Verma, SS Singh, and SV Jha, “Osteopathic Approach to Cesarean Scar Hernia,” Indian Journal of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 68-70, 2015. doi: 10.5958/0973-5674.2015.00012.5
MK Ozturk, E. Kokanali, O. Adiguzel, AH Kaya, and AF Acmaz, “Osteopathic Treatment of Post-Operative Cesarean Section Scars: A Case Series,” Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, vol. 116, no. 6, pp. 378-384, 2016. doi: 10.7556/jaoa.2016.078
Almost a third of all births in 2021 by caesarean section – Federal Statistical Office ( destatis.de )
M. Liedler, “Peritoneal adhesions”, Springer, 2020.
Management of Cesarean Deliveries and Cesarean Scars With Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment: A Brief Report – PubMed ( nih.gov )
request.dl.php ( european-journal-of-osteopathic-research.com )
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