If you’ve been following along on Tiktok or IG I’ve spent the last month going through the infamous story of Bella Swan’s very traumatic c-sction.
Maybe you also had a c-section, a hysterectomy, or some other kind of surgery and are worried about how your abs are going to recover. You may also be worried about the infamous “shelf” and want to try your best to keep that from forming. This is your guide!
When we have had any kind of significant disruption of our tissue, our bodies work really hard to close the tissue back up, to keep our insides… well inside. With surgery, a doctor helps this process by sewing the tissue back together. Approximation helps the two sides find one another again and seal up properly.
Either way, with a c-section the doctor is cutting through 6 layers of your tissue and then the amniotic sac. All of those layers need to heal back up quickly! So the body lays down thick collagen to make sure it closes and stays closed. These fibers are laid down in a random pattern.
Once the tissue fully heals and the incision is completely closed, part of your PT’s job is to go back in and help the scar remodel. When the scar is initially sensitive and you’re still dealing with the muscle atrophy that comes when they cut through muscle, your PT will start by mobilizing the scar. We do this by gently moving your tissue in a variety of directions. Here are some examples:
**** THIS IS NOT SAFE TO DO UNTIL THE SKIN IS FULLY HEALED – please consult your PT before you begin.
These movements can start the process, but are not the full solution. You also need to build back your muscle strength in all directions. When your muscle contracts and you move through a range of motion, your fascia and skin have to move as well. And in the case of your abdomen, we may have an effect on deeper structures as well.
With a combination of hands on techniques and exercise, we can make a difference in the mobility around your scar, while also building back your strength and confidence in your body!
Sound like you? Email me to get set up with an evaluation to see what may work best for your recovery post c-section!
-Naomi
p.s. wanna check out my Bella Swan series? Catch it on Tiktok or IG:
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