Role of Collagen
Scar tissue forms after an injury to bodily tissues.
If you cut yourself, have surgery, or tear tissue in the body, scar tissue will develop.
The development of scar tissue is part of the normal healing process in the body.
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Collagen is a substance that is present in all of our body parts.
There is collagen in muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
There is also collagen in skin and bones.
The cellular makeup of collagen makes it very strong due to the alignment of collagen cells.
It can resist tensile forces, such as stretching and pulling, without tearing or breaking.
Some of these new cells are collagen cells.
The collagen cells can begin to ball up and clump, losing their natural flexibility and structure.
Scar tissue is not inherently permanent.
Promoting Tissue Remodeling
Scar tissue remodeling occurs as you start to stretch and pull on it.
The stretching of the scar tissue helps to align the collagen fibers to allow them to return to normal.
If youstrainyourhamstring muscleor tendon, for example, you’d follow theR.I.C.E protocolfor a few days.
The same general principles apply to scar tissue management.
This scar can become adhered to the underlying tissue and impede the normal range of motion.
This increases blood flow between the layers which, in turn, promotes healing and remodeling.
Care needs to be taken to ensure the tape is not applied too early.
After an injury or surgery, the tissue may not be ready for stretching.
If your scar still has staples or stitches, it is probably too early to mobilize the scar.
Early mobilization or stretching of your open scar may cause the incision to open up.
This could delay healing or could expose you to serious infection and complications.
Ideally, you should do this with your physical therapist.
Areas of restriction are those in which there is a feeling of resistance.
Kinesiology tape would be used to counter this resistance.
The tape should not cross over your scar.
you might keep the kinesiology tape in place next to your scar tissue for three to five days.
You must confirm that the tape is not irritating your skin.
If you see any redness around the tape, remove it immediately.
This helps to slowly stretch out the collagen cells that make up the scar.
Grubbs H, Manna B.Wound physiology.
