Does massage really break up scar tissue?

I was an elite athlete and after became a massage therapist myself because it helped me so much. Do not go to one of the places like Massage Envy and expect results, go on the AMTA site and look for a therapist around your area with a background in structural modalities. It helps and if someone says it doesn't, ask ANY real athlete in any sport and they'll tell you it works.

Yes, there is science behind it. Do you think your physical therapist makes a career out of giving advice that is not based in science? Google/Bing would have also answered this easily for you. Rather than be a total a--, though, I will point out that scar tissue forms as a result of muscle tears. The muscle tries to repair itself and in the process of doing so may make some fibrous connections in a haphazard fashion around the area to try to quickly path up the area. By massaging the area you help smooth out the muscle fibers so that the repairing tissue is more likely to form efficiently in the traditional places rather than connect in a wider fashion than it did before. When fibers start to attach to nearby places (even cumulatively on a cellular level) you begin to lose elasticity in those muscle areas. Accurate massage helps ensure the efficient regrowth of muscle fiber to damage area. Not massaging or massaging with a bludgeoning motion could allow the area to lay muscle fiber that is not prepared to move easily in the directions or range you used to enjoy previously.

I did Google/Bing it. Lots of conflicting stuff. Wanted the trusty ol' LRC opinions.

Shoe, how about you show us some of this science rather than attacking the OP?

There are many indiviiduals in our society peddle lies for profit.

BeanEater wrote:

I've injured the long head of one of my triceps doing pull ups. I wasn't aware that triceps played any roll in pull ups until now.

Anyway, a physical therapist gave me a few exercises and also said I should massage it several times per day to "break up scar tissue." Massage does make it feel better, but I'm skeptical that massaging a muscle will help break up scar tissue. Is there any science behind this?

It does indeed..............the methodology the PT utilizes to break the scar tissue up has been taught in PT school since the beginning of the discipline.

Old Man 2 Lapper wrote:

I was an elite athlete and after became a massage therapist myself because it helped me so much. Do not go to one of the places like Massage Envy and expect results, go on the AMTA site and look for a therapist around your area with a background in structural modalities. It helps and if someone says it doesn't, ask ANY real athlete in any sport and they'll tell you it works.

Agree 100%. Sports chiro that does Graston / ART accomplishes much the same thing- correct me if wrong. Sports acupuncture can also be useful for recovery though you'll note some acupuncturists also have massage degrees. (Sort of similar to how some PTs started getting in on "dry needling" despite the knucklehead scorn some hold towards acu.)

I absolutely agree, it's just like having more tools in your toolbag. When I ran I had the best guy in the business. He was a LMT, Chiro and did acupuncture. I mostly learned under the Western modalities and got great results when I worked with several sports including weekend warriors.

BeanEater wrote:

I've injured the long head of one of my triceps doing pull ups. I wasn't aware that triceps played any roll in pull ups until now.

Anyway, a physical therapist gave me a few exercises and also said I should massage it several times per day to "break up scar tissue." Massage does make it feel better, but I'm skeptical that massaging a muscle will help break up scar tissue. Is there any science behind this?

massages or not, your tricep will heal anyway

Voltaire had it right when he said: "The role of the physician is to entertain the patient while the body heals itself" You've done your research and found conflicting views which is very common. Don't count on any help; its not there. Let nature heal the injury. You'll be OK over time.

I made an account just to say this forum is very toxic and unhelpful. OP asked a pretty reasonable question, and the response were basically saying it was a dumb question or saying the PT learned it because the PT was taught it. Enjoy feeling entitled about running lol, hopefully I can find answers somewhere else.

Only if there is a happy ending.

For dissipation of fibrous scar tissue, Active Release Therapy (ART) seems particularly effective.

asdasdwwwww wrote:

I made an account just to say this forum is very toxic and unhelpful. OP asked a pretty reasonable question, and the response were basically saying it was a dumb question or saying the PT learned it because the PT was taught it. Enjoy feeling entitled about running lol, hopefully I can find answers somewhere else.

Grow up.

TAR, how's the training coming along? Would love updates on the thread.

The problem is that the breaking up of scar tissue instigates the re-formation of scar tissue. It's like picking scabs.

The body will break down the scar tissue on its own t the right rate if you just keep moving and gradually increase range of motion.

+1000.

Scar of The Lion King wrote:

The problem is that the breaking up of scar tissue instigates the re-formation of scar tissue. It's like picking scabs.

The body will break down the scar tissue on its own t the right rate if you just keep moving and gradually increase range of motion.

Seems to me there are two distinct questions here: 1) will massage help your recovery? and 2) if (1) is true, does the mechanism have to do with breaking up scar tissue? Personally, I believe (1) is true and am skeptical of (2). In other words, I trust the treatment but not the explanation.

3hr-marathoner wrote:

Seems to me there are two distinct questions here: 1) will massage help your recovery? and 2) if (1) is true, does the mechanism have to do with breaking up scar tissue? Personally, I believe (1) is true and am skeptical of (2). In other words, I trust the treatment but not the explanation.

The key is continual work on the muscles and continual break down of the scar tissue. If you go and have a few massage/ART/Graston sessions and then think you're good to go, you're selling yourself and your recovery short. If you want the best long-term outcome you need to commit to the recovering and the techniques that a good PT (not an average, workers-comp, lazy person's PT) is recommending. Seek out a PT who works with a lot of athletes and is ideally athletic themselves.

I would also recommend working with a PT that does dry needling to help speed up the muscle work and effectiveness of your therapy sessions.

It is more than just "breaking up scar tissue". Done properly, it breaks up dysfunctional neural pathways which occur with microtrauma. This often involves antagonist muscle groups and retraining with properly-executed movement to re-train motoneurons and the corresponding pathways in the brain. This is why good trigger-point technique can nip a nascent muscle injury in the proverbial bud and allow an immediate (careful) return to the activity.