By Marjorie Brook, LMT · Licensed massage therapist, 29 years · Creator of the S.T.R.A.I.T Method

Mobility vs. Flexibility: Why You Can’t Strengthen Your Way Out of a Restriction

These two words get used as though they mean the same thing. They don’t.

Flexibility generally refers to the ability of tissues and joints to move through a range of motion.

Mobility is broader.

It incorporates the ability to actively access, control, and use available movement.

A person may be able to achieve a position passively but lack the strength or motor control to actively move there.

That person may have flexibility without functional mobility.

Which matters, because the difference decides what will actually help you.

Flx + Str = B

Flexibility + Strength = Balance

Maintained Balance = Stability

We have become obsessed with strength.

If something hurts, we strengthen it.

If something is weak, we strengthen it.

If someone has an injury, we strengthen it.

If someone wants to improve their body, we strengthen it.

If someone wants to age well, we tell them to strength train.

And yes – strength matters.

But there is a problem with the strength-first philosophy:

A strong muscle that cannot move effectively through the range of motion required for a task is not necessarily a functional muscle.

Strength without adequate mobility can create a very strong body that still does not move particularly well.

And when rehabilitating an injury – or simply trying to improve how the body functions – we need to ask a question that is often overlooked:

Can the body move before we ask it to produce more force?

That is where flexibility comes in.

Strength is Important. But It Is Not the Whole Equation

I am not suggesting that strengthening is unnecessary.

Far from it. Strength is essential for function. We need strength to walk, climb stairs, lift, push, pull, stabilize joints, maintain posture, perform daily activities, and participate in exercise and sport.

Resistance training is an important part of physical fitness and rehabilitation.

But strength is only one component of movement.

Consider what happens when you strengthen a muscle that is already restricted.

You may make it stronger.

But you have not necessarily changed the restriction.

You may have increased its ability to generate force within the range it already has.

That is very different from improving the body’s ability to move freely through the range of motion it needs.

This is why I believe the conversation needs to shift from:

“How strong is it?”

to:

“Can it move?”

And then:

“Can it control that movement?”

And finally:

“Can it produce and control force throughout that movement?”

That is a very different approach

My Formula: Flx + Str = B

I use a simple concept to explain this:

Flx + Str = B

Flx = Flexibility

Str = Strength

B = Balance

And when balance is maintained:

Bᵐ = S

S = Stability

In other words:

Flexibility + Strength = Balance

Maintained Balance = Stability

This is not meant to be a mathematical equation in the traditional scientific sense.

It is a way of illustrating a fundamental concept:

Strength and flexibility are complementary – not competing – components of physical function.

One without the other creates an incomplete equation.

Why Flexibility Should Come First

Imagine trying to strengthen a joint that cannot move through its intended range.

You can certainly train it.

But what are you actually training?

You may be strengthening the muscles to work around the limitation.

You may be teaching the body to compensate. You may be increasing force production without addressing why movement is restricted in the first place. Sometimes that is exactly what is needed. But sometimes it isn’t.

Before asking the body to produce more force, we should ask whether the tissues and joints involved have enough mobility to perform the movement efficiently.

Mobility creates the opportunity for movement.

Strength creates the ability to control and produce force during that movement.

Those are different things.

Stretching is Not the Same as “Loosening Up”

Stretching is sometimes treated as an optional five-minute activity at the end of a workout.

Something you do if you have time.

Something you skip when you’re busy.

Something that belongs in yoga class but not necessarily in serious rehabilitation or strength training.

That perception is outdated.

The way that we have learned to stretch all our lives loads the muscle, overtaxes the muscle and stresses the muscle. The end result is not really a stretch. It is a fight.

Stretching is something we do naturally.

The question you should really be asking is how we should consciously stretch.

What I teach is designed to work with the body, not against it.

The American College of Sports Medicine recognizes flexibility as an important component of physical fitness and describes stretching as a means of maintaining or improving range of motion. Research also consistently demonstrates that stretching can increase range of motion. A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis examined 77 studies and 186 effect sizes and confirmed that chronic stretch training can produce sustained improvements in range of motion.

That matters.

Because range of motion isn’t simply about being able to touch your toes.

It affects how we move.

How we reach.

How we squat.

How we walk.

How we rotate.

How we lift.

How we change position.

How we perform everyday activities.

Flexibility is functional.

But Can’t Strength Training Improve Flexibility

Yes.

And this is where the conversation becomes interesting.

Research has shown that resistance training performed through an appropriate range of motion can improve range of motion as well. One systematic review and meta-analysis found no significant difference between resistance training and stretching in their effects on range of motion.

Another systematic review concluded that resistance training can improve range of motion to a moderate degree.

So does that mean stretching is unnecessary?

No.

It means the human body is adaptable and that there is more than one way to influence mobility. It does not mean that every strength program adequately addresses every individual’s flexibility restrictions. It does not mean that a person with a specific mobility limitation will automatically regain the movement they need simply by lifting weights. And it certainly does not mean that stretching has no place in rehabilitation.

In fact, the evidence supporting stretching’s ability to improve range of motion is substantial.

The better question is not:

Stretching OR strengthening?

It is:

Where does each belong in the sequence?

You Cannot Strengthen Your Way Out of Every Restriction

This is particularly important following injury, surgery, immobilization, or periods of inactivity.

When the body has been injured, it often develops protective patterns.

Muscles may become guarded.

Movement may become limited.

Tissues may become less extensible.

Joints may lose range.

A person may unconsciously avoid certain movements because they hurt or feel threatening.

Then rehabilitation begins.

The person is told: “We need to get you stronger.” And they begin strengthening. But what if the primary problem isn’t simply weakness?

What if the person can’t access the movement required to perform the exercise correctly?

What if the surrounding tissues are restricting the movement?

What if the person is compensating?

What if the body has learned a different movement pattern?

What if the person has enough strength – but insufficient mobility to use that strength effectively?

In those situations, more strength isn’t necessarily the first answer.

The Body Needs Room to Move

Think of movement as having three fundamental questions:

1. Can I get there?

That’s mobility and flexibility.

2. Can I control myself there?

That’s strength and motor control.

3. Can I maintain that control under changing demands?

That’s where balance, coordination, and stability become increasingly important.

If you skip the first step, the rest of the equation can become compromised.

A person may have tremendous strength but still struggle to reach overhead.

A person may have powerful legs but poor ankle mobility.

A person may have strong abdominal muscles but difficulty moving through the spine and pelvis.

A person may have strong shoulders but limited thoracic or shoulder mobility.

A person may be able to lift heavy weights but have difficulty getting down onto the floor and back up.

Strength does not automatically equal movement quality.

Flexibility is Not the Enemy of Strength

There has also been a long-standing fear that stretching somehow makes people weak.

This concern has some scientific basis in specific circumstances: prolonged static stretching immediately before explosive activity can temporarily affect force or power in some situations. The effects depend on the type, duration, and intensity of stretching.

But that is very different from saying:

“Stretching makes you weak.”

It doesn’t.

Long-term flexibility training can improve range of motion, and the broader evidence does not support treating flexibility and strength as mutually exclusive qualities.

The question is how, when, and why stretching is applied.

That is where individualized programming matters.

The Problem with One-Size-Fits-All Rehabilitation

There is no single exercise that is appropriate for every body.

There is no single stretching technique that is appropriate for every person.

There is no single strengthening protocol that is appropriate for every injury.

And there is no universal sequence that applies to every rehabilitation situation.

A post-operative patient is not the same as a healthy athlete. Someone with chronic restrictions is not the same as someone who is simply deconditioned. Someone recovering from an orthopedic injury is not the same as someone with neurological limitations. Someone with scar-related restrictions is not the same as someone whose primary problem is muscular weakness.

The body needs assessment before prescription.

Stretching Can Change the Starting Point

Imagine a joint that has 90 degrees of functional movement available when the task requires 120 degrees.

You can strengthen the muscles surrounding that joint.

But if the joint still cannot access the movement required, the person may continue to compensate.

Now imagine improving the available range of motion.

Suddenly, there is a larger movement window within which the muscles can operate.

Now strengthening can occur through a more useful range.

That is the principle behind my argument:

Don’t just strengthen the restriction. Address the restriction. Then strengthen the newly available movement.

Strength Should Follow Function

The ultimate goal isn’t to become flexible. And it isn’t to become strong. The goal is function. We want the person to be able to use their body.

That means we need:

• Mobility
• Strength
• Control
• Coordination
• Balance
• Stability

These qualities work together.

This is why I prefer to think in terms of:

Flx + Str = B

Flexibility plus strength creates the conditions for better balance.

And when that balance can be consistently maintained and controlled:

Bᵐ = S

Balance maintained becomes stability.

Again, this isn’t a claim that one formula explains all human biomechanics.

It is a framework for understanding that stability is not simply strength.

A joint can be surrounded by extremely strong muscles and still lack the mobility, coordination, proprioception, or motor control necessary for optimal function.

Stability is Not the Same as Rigidity

This is another important distinction.

Some people confuse stability with being stiff.

They aren’t the same.

Rigidity limits movement. Stability controls movement.

A healthy body needs both mobility and control.

Think about your shoulder. It needs an enormous amount of mobility. But it also needs to be stable.

Your hip needs to move freely while remaining controlled.

Your spine needs mobility while being able to support and transfer forces.

Your ankle needs enough mobility to allow efficient walking, squatting, and changing direction.

The body is constantly balancing freedom of movement with control. That’s why flexibility and strength aren’t enemies. They are partners.

Rehabilitation Should Restore Movement – Not Just Build Muscle

This is where I believe rehabilitation professionals and fitness professionals need to broaden the conversation.

When someone comes into rehabilitation after an injury, the goal shouldn’t simply be:

“How much strength can we build?”

The questions should include:

• What movement has been lost?
• Why has it been lost?
• What tissues are restricting it?
• Is pain limiting movement?
• Is fear limiting movement?
• Is weakness limiting movement?
• Is the nervous system limiting movement?
• Is the joint itself restricted?
• Has the person developed compensatory movement patterns?
• What range of motion does the individual actually need?
• Can they control that range?
• Can they produce force through that range?
• Can they maintain balance while doing it?

Only then can we develop a truly functional rehabilitation strategy.

Stretching Should Not Be An Afterthought

For decades, stretching has often been relegated to the last five minutes of a workout.

“Stretch when you’re done.”

But flexibility deserves more thoughtful consideration than that.

Especially when someone is beginning rehabilitation.

Especially when someone has experienced immobilization.

Especially when movement is restricted.

Especially when there are significant differences between sides.

Especially when someone cannot perform an exercise correctly because they cannot physically access the necessary position.

And especially when the goal is not simply to become stronger – but to move better.

The Goal is Not Maximum Flexibility

There is an equally important caution here. More flexibility isn’t automatically better. A person doesn’t need to be able to put their leg behind their head to have a healthy body. Excessive mobility without sufficient control can create its own problems.

This brings us back to the equation.

Flx + Str = B

We don’t want flexibility without strength.

We don’t want strength without mobility.

We want the appropriate amount of each for the person, the activity, and the goal.

The objective isn’t maximum flexibility. It is functional flexibility.

The amount of mobility necessary to perform a movement effectively and safely.

Where Integrated Therapeutic Stretching (I.T.S) Fits

This philosophy is one of the reasons I developed Integrated Therapeutic Stretching (ITS).

The premise is not simply:

“Let’s stretch because stretching is good.”

It is: Let’s identify what isn’t moving, understand how that restriction affects function, and work toward improving the available movement so that the body can use it.

Stretching becomes purposeful rather than generic.

It becomes part of a larger movement strategy. And once appropriate range of motion is available, strengthening can be used to help the individual control and utilize that range. That is a very different approach from simply stretching everyone the same way – or strengthening everyone the same way.

Stretch First. Strengthen Second. Integrate Both.

I’m not advocating abandoning strength training.

Quite the opposite. I want strength training to be more effective.

If the body has appropriate mobility, the person may be able to perform strengthening exercises with better mechanics and through a more functional range.

If movement is restricted, address the restriction.

If strength is lacking, build strength.

If balance is impaired, train balance.

If stability is compromised, develop control.

If the nervous system is contributing to the problem, address that appropriately.

The answer isn’t always stretching. The answer isn’t always strengthening. The answer is understanding what the body needs first.

The Bigger Picture

Perhaps the real problem isn’t that physical therapists or personal trainers don’t value stretching.

Many absolutely do. The problem is that our culture has become strength-obsessed. We celebrate how much someone can lift. How many repetitions they can perform. How much muscle they can build. How heavy the resistance is.

But we don’t always celebrate how well someone moves.

• Can they rotate?
• Can they reach?
• Can they squat?
• Can they bend?
• Can they extend?
• Can they balance?
• Can they control their body?
• Can they move without compensation?
• Can they use their strength through an appropriate range?

Those are equally important measures of physical capability.

The Equation We Should Remember

So the next time someone tells you:

“You need to get stronger.”

Ask:

“Do I also have the mobility to use that strength?”

Because strength without movement is limited.

Mobility without strength is incomplete.

But when we combine the two:

Flx + Str = B

Flexibility + Strength = Balance

And when that balance can be maintained and controlled:

Bᵐ = S

Maintained Balance = Stability

That is the foundation of functional movement.

Not strength alone.

Not flexibility alone.

Integration.

Move First. Then Make the Movement Strong

The body doesn’t exist as isolated muscles. It exists as an interconnected system. And rehabilitation shouldn’t be about making one muscle stronger simply because it tested weak. It should be about understanding why the person isn’t moving well and addressing the factors contributing to that limitation.

Sometimes the answer is strength.

Sometimes it is mobility.

Sometimes it is both.

Sometimes it is coordination.

Sometimes it is balance.

Sometimes it is the nervous system.

And sometimes it is the tissue restriction that nobody has addressed.

Before you ask the body to produce more force, make sure you have given it the movement necessary to use that force. Because the ultimate goal isn’t simply a stronger body. It’s a body that can move, control, adapt, and function.

Flexibility gives movement somewhere to go.

Strength gives movement power and control.

Balance brings the two together.

And stability allows us to maintain that control when life demands change.

If you have been strengthening something for months and it still does not move the way it should, call 516-409-1240 and tell me what is going on. No referral is needed.

Mobility, Flexibility & Strengthening Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the difference between mobility and flexibility?

Flexibility is the ability of tissues and joints to move through a range of motion. Mobility is broader – it includes whether you can actively access that range, control yourself in it, and use it. Someone can be moved into a position passively and still lack the strength or motor control to get there themselves. That is flexibility without functional mobility.

Should I stretch or strengthen first?

It depends which one is limiting you, which is why assessment comes before either. Stretching comes first when mobility is the limiting factor. If you already have adequate mobility, strengthening may appropriately come first.

Can you just strengthen your way out of tightness?

Sometimes, and sometimes not. Strengthening a restricted muscle can increase its ability to generate force within the range it already has, without changing the restriction – and it can teach the body to compensate around the limitation instead.

Does stretching make you weaker?

Prolonged static stretching immediately before explosive activity can temporarily affect force or power in some situations, depending on type, duration and intensity. That is very different from stretching making you weak over time. The broader evidence does not support treating flexibility and strength as mutually exclusive.

Is more flexibility always better?

No. Excessive mobility without sufficient control can create its own problems. The objective is functional flexibility – enough mobility to perform a movement effectively and safely – not maximum flexibility.

Why does this matter after surgery or an injury?

Because an injured body develops protective patterns. Muscles guard, movement narrows, tissues become less extensible and joints lose range. If rehabilitation starts from “we need to get you stronger” without asking why the movement is not there, the strengthening can be built on top of the restriction.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Marjorie Brook, LMT created the S.T.R.A.I.T Method for scar tissue release and has practiced it for 29 years in Wantagh, Long Island. She trains therapists internationally and has taught clinical staff at Singapore General Hospital and Shriners Children’s Hospital. About Marjorie → · Book an appointment →

References & Further Reading

• American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). ACSM’s Complete Guide to Fitness & Health. ACSM. Discusses flexibility as the ability to move joints through their available range of motion and the role of stretching in maintaining or improving flexibility.
• American College of Sports Medicine. ACSM Resources for the Exercise Physiologist. Discusses flexibility exercise, stretching methods, range of motion, and the physiological effects of stretching.
• Afonso, J., et al. Strength Training versus Stretching for Improving Range of Motion: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Healthcare, 2021. Eleven randomized controlled trials involving 452 participants found no significant difference between strength training and stretching for improvements in range of motion, highlighting that both approaches can influence mobility.
• Konrad, A., et al. Chronic Effects of Stretching on Range of Motion with Consideration of Potential Moderating Variables: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis. Sports Medicine, 2023. The review examined 77 studies and 186 effect sizes and found meaningful improvements in range of motion following chronic stretching interventions.
• Behm, D. G., et al. Acute Effects of Various Stretching Techniques on Range of Motion: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis. Sports Medicine – Open, 2023. Review of 47 studies examining the acute effects of different stretching methods on range of motion.
• Cook, M. D., et al. The Effects of Static Stretching Intensity on Range of Motion and Strength: A Systematic Review. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 2023. The review found that static stretching increased range of motion across the included studies while also highlighting the importance of stretch intensity and its potential effects on strength.
• Lohmann, L. H., et al. Acute and Chronic Effects of Stretching on Balance: A Systematic Review with Multilevel Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Medicine, 2024. The review examined the potential relationship between stretching and balance and emphasized that balance is multifactorial, involving strength, flexibility, proprioception, and other factors. The authors caution that the current evidence for stretching’s direct effect on balance remains limited and of low certainty.
• Guo, W., et al. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Impact of Stretching Techniques on Balance Performance. Somatosensory & Motor Research, 2025. The review examined static and dynamic stretching and balance outcomes, highlighting the importance of stretching type, duration, and timing.

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By Marjorie Brook, LMT · Licensed massage therapist, 29 years · Creator of the S.T.R.A.I.T Method

When Treatment Ends, Recovery Begins: The Missing Piece of Post-Operative and Oncology Care

We Treat the Disease, But Who Treats the Person Left Behind?

Modern medicine has become extraordinarily successful at treating disease.

Surgeons remove tumors.

Oncologists attack cancer cells.

Radiation targets disease.

Medications control inflammation, infection, pain, hormones, and other complications.

Advanced treatments save lives that once could not have been saved.

These accomplishments are extraordinary.

But there is a question we need to ask more often:

What happens to the person after the treatment has done its job?

Because completing surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, or another medical treatment does not necessarily mean the person has recovered.

The disease may be gone.

The incision may be healed.

The scans may be clear.

The treatment may be considered successful.

And yet the person may still be struggling physically, mentally, emotionally, and functionally.

That is the gap in care we need to start talking about.

“Your Treatment is Over” Does Not Necessarily Mean “You Are Recovered”

Patients are often given extensive instructions about what to do immediately after a procedure.

• Don’t lift.
• Don’t drive.
• Keep the incision clean.
• Take your medications.
• Watch for infection.
• Come back for your follow-up appointment.

Then eventually, the appointment ends with:

“Everything looks good.”

But what if the patient doesn’t feel good?

What if they still have:

• Pain or discomfort
• Tightness or pulling around a surgical site
• Restricted movement
• Changes in posture or movement
• Sensitivity or numbness
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Swelling
• Changes in tissue mobility
• Sleep problems
• Digestive or bowel changes
• Changes in body image
• Anxiety or fear
• Difficulty concentrating
• Loss of physical confidence
• Difficulty returning to exercise or normal activities

These concerns are not imaginary.

They are recognized components of survivorship and post-treatment care.

The National Cancer Institute defines cancer survivorship broadly, encompassing the physical, mental, emotional, social, and financial effects of cancer from diagnosis through the rest of a person’s life.

Survival is an outcome. Recovery is a process. They are not the same thing.

The Medication Doesn’t Always Stop Affecting You When You Stop Taking It

There is another part of the conversation that is often overlooked: the after-effects of the medications and treatments themselves.

During treatment, patients are understandably focused on getting through it.

They may hear:

• “This medication may cause fatigue.”
• “You may experience nausea.”
• “You may have neuropathy.”
• “You may have changes in your hormones.”
• “You may experience cognitive changes.”

The immediate side effects are discussed because they are happening now.

But some treatment-related effects can persist long after the medication itself has been discontinued.

The American Cancer Society notes that some chemotherapy side effects can become long-term or chronic, lasting months or years, and in some circumstances can involve organs such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, or reproductive organs.

The National Cancer Institute likewise notes that some cancer-treatment effects may linger after treatment or first appear months or years later. These are referred to as late effects.

Depending on the treatment, patients may experience issues involving:

The nervous system

Some cancer treatments can contribute to peripheral neuropathy, altered sensation, weakness, balance problems, or other neurological symptoms.

The endocrine system

Certain treatments can affect thyroid function or reproductive hormones. Changes in hormone levels can influence energy, sleep, metabolism, mood, cognition, sexual function, bone health, and other aspects of health.

The cardiovascular system

Some chemotherapy drugs, targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and radiation treatments can have cardiovascular effects that may not become apparent immediately.

The respiratory system

Certain chemotherapy and radiation treatments can affect lung function, and symptoms can sometimes appear well after treatment.

The musculoskeletal system

Treatment can contribute to changes involving muscles, joints, bones, mobility, and connective tissue. Radiation, certain chemotherapy drugs, and steroids can contribute to joint changes and loss of motion.

Cognitive function

Some patients experience problems with memory, concentration, processing speed, or what is commonly referred to as “chemo brain.” Certain treatments can contribute to cognitive changes that persist beyond treatment.

Sleep and energy

Fatigue and sleep disturbances can persist long after active treatment. These aren’t necessarily solved by simply telling someone to “get more rest.” The American Cancer Society identifies fatigue and sleep problems as common long-term effects experienced by cancer survivors.

The important point is this:

The medication may leave the body, but the effects of the treatment may not immediately leave the person.

That distinction matters.

The Body Has Been Through Something

We sometimes talk about surgery as though it were simply an event:

Before surgery → surgery → after surgery.

But the human body doesn’t experience it that way.

Surgery can involve cutting, separating, retracting, removing, repairing, repositioning, or otherwise altering multiple layers of tissue.

The body then has to heal.

That healing process can change the way tissues move and interact.

A scar isn’t simply a line on the skin.

For some people, the surrounding tissues may feel tight, restricted, sensitive, adhered, or uncomfortable. Movement patterns can change. The person may unconsciously protect an area, compensate somewhere else, or become hesitant to move normally.

And the effects aren’t always confined to the scar itself.

The body moves as a system.

This is one reason post-operative rehabilitation can be so important.

It is also why scar management should not be dismissed as purely cosmetic.

Oncology Recovery is More Than Cancer Surveillance

There is a tremendous amount of attention placed on monitoring whether cancer has returned.

Of course there should be.

But survivorship is about more than surveillance.

A person can be cancer-free and still be dealing with the consequences of having had cancer.

They may have finished treatment and still experience:

• Fatigue
• Neuropathy
• Hormonal changes
• Sleep problems
• Digestive problems
• Pain
• Restricted movement
• Changes in body image
• Cognitive changes
• Fear of recurrence
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Post-traumatic stress
• Loss of confidence in the body

The NCI specifically recognizes that cancer and its treatment can produce post-traumatic stress symptoms, including sleep problems, frightening thoughts, hyperarousal, isolation, and feelings of fear or helplessness. These symptoms can occur even years after initial treatment.

That means we cannot define successful recovery solely by whether the cancer is gone.

The patient has to be considered, too.

The Emotional Body Matters Too

There is another layer of recovery that cannot be measured by an MRI, CT scan, blood test, or surgical incision.

It is the emotional experience of living in a body that has been changed.

A person may look at a scar every day and remember the diagnosis.

They may be afraid every time they feel a new ache.

They may avoid touching an area that was operated on.

They may be afraid to exercise.

They may feel disconnected from their body.

They may feel angry that their body doesn’t work the way it used to.

They may feel guilty for struggling when everyone around them believes they should be celebrating.

They may hear:

“But you’re cancer-free!”

And think:

“I know. But I still don’t feel like myself.”

Those feelings deserve to be acknowledged.

They do not mean the person is ungrateful.

They do not mean treatment failed.

And they certainly do not mean the symptoms are “all in their head.”

They mean the person has been through something significant.

What a Scar Can Bring Back

I want to give you a real example of this, because it is the part people find hardest to believe until it happens to them.

I had a woman volunteer in one of my classes with a fifteen-year-old C-section scar.

It was barely visible on the surface, though there were adhesions underneath.

As I started working just above it, she said something I have never forgotten.

It felt, she said, like I was driving a railroad spike through her back.

I was working on her abdomen.

A few minutes later she mentioned something, almost in passing.

It had been an emergency C-section.

The epidural had gone wrong and left her temporarily paralyzed.

An epidural, and a railroad spike in the back. Fifteen years apart.

As we carried on, her mood changed completely.

She became angry, and upset, and frustrated.

And more of the story came out.

She had gone to her doctors two weeks earlier and told them the baby was too big.

Nobody listened to her.

Then the surgery went well, and the baby was born, and the paralysis passed.

And her focus went entirely to the baby rather than to herself.

She never actually dealt with having been temporarily paralyzed.

She came in the next day exhausted, having barely slept.

She had been thinking about how nobody had paid attention to her.

A few months later she emailed to say she was in the best state she had been in for a long time.

I am not a psychologist, and I do not pretend to be one.

What I can tell you is that a few scar tissue release moves over a fifteen-year-old scar brought all of that up.

And that she needed somewhere to put it.

If that happens to you in my office, you do not need to apologize for it.

It is one of the most normal things that happens here.

The Missing Middle of Healthcare

This is where I believe there is an enormous opportunity to improve patient care.

There is acute medical care. There is surgery. There is oncology treatment. There is rehabilitation. There is follow-up.

But between those pieces, there can be a tremendous gap.

A patient may not need another surgery.

They may not need to be hospitalized.

They may not be “sick enough” for intensive medical intervention.

But they may still need help.

They may need someone to address mobility.

Someone to help them safely rebuild strength.

Someone to address functional limitations.

Someone to work with the physical consequences of surgery.

Someone to address scar-related restrictions.

Someone to help them understand their changed body.

Someone to address the psychological impact.

Someone to help them regain confidence.

Someone to help them return to the activities that make life feel normal again.

This is the missing middle.

Recovery Should be Multidisciplinary

No single practitioner should be expected to address everything.

That is not the answer.

The answer is better collaboration.

Depending on the person’s needs, a recovery team may include:

• The surgeon
• Oncologist
• Primary-care provider
• Physical therapist
• Occupational therapist
• Oncology rehabilitation specialist
• Lymphedema therapist
• Mental-health professional
• Nutrition professional
• Exercise professional
• Pain-management specialist
• Qualified massage or bodywork practitioner
• Scar-management specialist
• Other appropriate healthcare professionals

Each professional has a different role.

The goal isn’t to replace one another.

The goal is to stop leaving the patient to figure everything out alone.

The NCI recommends that survivors report physical concerns such as fatigue, bowel or bladder problems, sexual problems, concentration or memory changes, sleep problems, weight changes, and emotional concerns to their healthcare team so that appropriate causes and referrals can be considered.

That is what coordinated survivorship care should look like.

Where Scar Tissue Management Fits

This is where my work as a Licensed Massage Therapist and creator of the S.T.R.A.I.T. Method® – Scar Tissue Release And Integrated Therapies fits into the larger recovery picture.

I don’t believe scar tissue should be treated as an isolated cosmetic concern. I believe it needs to be considered in the context of the person.

How is the individual moving?

What are they feeling?

What areas feel restricted?

How has the surgery changed their movement?

How has the person adapted?

What does the tissue feel like?

What does the person report?

What is medically appropriate?

And, perhaps most importantly:

What does this person need to regain function and confidence in their body?

The S.T.R.A.I.T. Method® is designed as an integrated approach to scar tissue release and related soft-tissue considerations.

It is not intended to repalce surgery, oncology care, physical therapy, medical evaluation, or mental-health treatment.

Instead, it can be one component of a comprehensive recovery plan when appropriate.

That distinction is important.

Good post-operative and oncology care should never be about one practitioner claiming to have all the answers.

It should be about putting the right professionals around the patient.

We Need to Stop Telling People to “Just Give It Time”

Time is important. Healing takes time. But time alone isn’t always treatment.

If a person has restricted movement six months after surgery, simply waiting another six months may not solve the problem.

If someone is experiencing persistent neuropathy, they need evaluation.

If hormone changes are affecting quality of life, those concerns deserve medical attention.

If someone is experiencing depression, anxiety, or trauma symptoms, they deserve appropriate psychological support.

If scar-related restrictions are affecting movement or comfort, appropriate evaluation and treatment may be worth exploring. And if symptoms are new, worsening, unusual, or unexplained, they should be discussed with the appropriate medical professional.

“Give it time” should not become “learn to live with it.”

Patients Need Permission to Ask for More

One of the most important messages I want patients to hear is this:

You are allowed to ask for help even when your treatment was successful.

You are allowed to say:

• “Something still doesn’t feel right.”
• “I don’t move the way I used to.”
• “I’m exhausted.”
• “I’m having trouble sleeping.”
• “My body feels different.”
• “I’m struggling emotionally.”
• “I’m afraid to exercise.”
• “I don’t recognize my body anymore.”
• “I want to feel like myself again.”

These are legitimate healthcare concerns.

And if your physician doesn’t have the answer, that doesn’t necessarily mean there isn’t an answer.

It may mean you need another member of the healthcare team.

The Goal Isn’t Just Survival

Survival matters. Of course it does. But what happens after survival matters, too.

The goal should be more than: “The cancer is gone.”

The goal should eventually become:

“I am living again.”

• I can move.
• I can exercise.
• I can sleep.
• I can work.
• I can participate in my relationships.
• I can touch my body without fear.
• I understand what has happened to me.
• I have support when I need it.
• I trust my body again.
• I feel like myself.

That is recovery.

A New Conversation About Post-Operative and Oncology Care

We need to stop thinking of recovery as the short period between leaving the hospital and returning to the surgeon.

Recovery can be much bigger than that.

It can be months. Sometimes years. And for some people, certain treatment effects can remain a lifelong consideration.

The medical community has increasingly recognized the importance of survivorship and late-effect care. The NCI notes that late effects may appear months or years after treatment and that early medical attention can help prevent or better manage some of them.

Now we need to make sure patients understand that this care exists. We need better communication between providers. We need better access to rehabilitation and supportive services. We need to recognize the effects of medications and treatments – not only while someone is taking them, but after treatment has ended.

And we need to stop separating the physical person from the emotional person.

They are the same person.

If You Finished Treatment But Don’t Feel Recovered, You’re Not Alone

If you have undergone surgery, cancer treatment, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, or another significant medical procedure and you’re still experiencing physical or emotional difficulties, don’t automatically assume that you simply have to live with them.

Start with your medical team.

Ask questions.

Ask whether what you’re experiencing could be related to your treatment.

Ask what rehabilitation or supportive services might be appropriate.

And if necessary, ask for a referral.

Recovery is not an indulgence.

It is not a luxury.

It is not something you should have to apologize for wanting.

Your life after treatment matters.

And the person who survived the procedure deserves care just as much as the disease did.

My Approach to Recovery

As a Licensed Massage Therapist, educator, and creator of the S.T.R.A.I.T. Method®, my focus is on one piece of this larger recovery picture: helping appropriate patients address the physical consequences that may occur around scars and altered tissue following surgery or other procedures.

My work does not replace medical care.

It does not diagnose cancer recurrence, nerve injury, organ dysfunction, hormonal problems, or other medical conditions.

And it should never delay appropriate medical evaluation.

Instead, I believe qualified practitioners should work alongside the medical community to help patients address the aspects of recovery that may otherwise go unaddressed.

Because treating the disease is only part of the journey.

Helping the person recover is the next part.

If you are still struggling after surgery or cancer treatment, start a conversation with your healthcare team.

Ask what may be contributing to your symptoms.

Ask whether rehabilitation, oncology rehabilitation, physical therapy, mental-health support, or specialized scar/tissue care may be appropriate.

And most importantly: Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself. You deserve to be heard. You deserve answers.

And you deserve the opportunity to recover – not just survive.

If you finished treatment and do not feel recovered, start with your medical team and ask what might be contributing. If part of what is going on is scar-related or how you are moving, call 516-409-1240 and tell me what you have had done. I will tell you honestly whether I can help. No referral is needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

My treatment was successful, so why do I still not feel right?

Survival is an outcome. Recovery is a process. They are not the same thing. The disease may be gone, the incision healed and the scans clear, and the person may still be struggling physically, mentally, emotionally and functionally. Those are recognised components of survivorship and post-treatment care.

Can treatment side effects continue after the treatment stops?

Some can. The American Cancer Society notes that some chemotherapy side effects can become long-term or chronic, lasting months or years. The National Cancer Institute likewise notes that some cancer-treatment effects may linger after treatment or first appear months or years later, which are referred to as late effects. Anything new, worsening, unusual or unexplained should be discussed with the appropriate medical professional.

Is it normal to feel emotional about a scar years later?

It is one of the most common things that happens in my office. People apologise for it and they should not.

Do you treat cancer or its side effects?

No. My work does not replace medical care, and it does not diagnose cancer recurrence, nerve injury, organ dysfunction, hormonal problems or other medical conditions. It should never delay appropriate medical evaluation. What I work with is the physical consequences that can occur around scars and altered tissue after surgery or other procedures, for appropriate patients, as one component of a recovery plan.

Who else should be on my recovery team?

Depending on what you need, that can include your surgeon, oncologist, primary-care provider, physical or occupational therapist, oncology rehabilitation specialist, lymphedema therapist, mental-health professional, nutrition and exercise professionals, and a pain-management specialist. No single practitioner should be expected to address everything. The goal is to stop leaving the patient to figure everything out alone.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Marjorie Brook, LMT created the S.T.R.A.I.T Method for scar tissue release and has practiced it for 29 years in Wantagh, Long Island. She trains therapists internationally and has taught clinical staff at Singapore General Hospital and Shriners Children’s Hospital. About Marjorie → · Book an appointment →

The post When Treatment Ends, Recovery Begins: The Missing Piece of Post-Operative and Oncology Care appeared first on Marjorie Brook, LMT.

By Marjorie Brook, LMT · Licensed massage therapist, 29 years · Creator of the S.T.R.A.I.T Method

Therapy Isn’t a Splurge. It’s a Necessity.

There is a sentence I hear more than any other, and it is never really about money.

“I’ve just learned to live with it.”

Living with pain isn’t the same as living well.

And the gap between those two things is what this is actually about.

Your body is your most valuable asset

You only get one body.

It carries you through every stage of life.

It allows you to work, play, travel, exercise, care for your family, and enjoy the moments that matter most.

When your body isn’t functioning well, every part of your life is affected.

Pain changes the way you move.

Restricted mobility changes what you’re able to do.

Fatigue affects your relationships, your career, and even your emotional well-being.

Your health influences every decision you make.

Investing in your body isn’t a luxury.

It’s one of the most important investments you’ll ever make.

The most expensive thing is paying for the wrong answer

There is a version of this that costs more than doing nothing, and I see it constantly.

My very first client in student clinic had been coming to that clinic for ten years.

Every single note in his file said the same thing. Lower back pain.

He had scars all over the front of his body, and nobody had ever connected the two.

When I finally asked whether I could work on them, the pain was gone within three or four sessions.

Ten years of appointments.

Not one of them was wasted because the people treating him were careless.

They were treating what hurt rather than what was causing it.

Most of the people who find me have already spent the money. Physical therapy. Chiropractic. Acupuncture. Injections.

Often all four.

I am not telling you any of that was pointless.

I am telling you that paying repeatedly for relief is more expensive than paying once to treat the cause.

Prevention is always less expensive than repair

Regular therapeutic care can help address problems before they become chronic.

It can improve movement, reduce discomfort, and support long-term health.

I have written elsewhere about what it costs to wait, and that argument is on the old-scar post rather than repeated here.

What I want to add is where it starts, because almost nobody looks there.

And nowhere is this clearer than with children.

One out of three children will end up in a cast at some point in childhood, and when the cast comes off, nobody gives that child any rehabilitation at all.

Nobody goes over exercises with the parents or tells them what to watch for.

They say, “Go play.”

That is free today. It is not free at forty.

Therapy is more than relaxation

Many people think therapeutic bodywork is simply about feeling good for an hour.

In a spa, bodywork is a fluff and buff. A luxury, not a necessity.

In reality, skilled therapeutic care is about improving function.

It’s about helping your body move the way it was designed to move.

Whether you’re recovering from surgery, dealing with scar tissue restrictions, chronic pain, limited mobility, or repetitive strain, the goal isn’t temporary relief.

The goal is lasting improvement.

When your body functions better, every aspect of your life benefits.

Investing in yourself benefits everyone around you

When you’re constantly in pain, your family feels it.

Your coworkers notice it.

Your friends see it.

Pain affects your patience, your energy, your mood, and your ability to be fully present.

Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish.

It’s one of the best gifts you can give the people who depend on you.

You can’t put your health on hold forever

Too many people spend years adapting to restrictions that could potentially be improved if addressed properly.

The longer dysfunction continues, the more your body compensates.

Those compensations can create additional problems that are often more difficult to correct.

Your body is remarkably resilient, but it deserves the opportunity to heal.

Stop thinking of therapy as an expense

Instead, think of it as an investment.

An investment in your mobility.

An investment in your independence.

An investment in your ability to work, travel, exercise, play with your grandchildren, enjoy your hobbies, and live without unnecessary limitations.

Unlike many things we purchase, investing in your health pays dividends every single day.

You don’t have to wait until the pain becomes unbearable.

You don’t have to accept stiffness, limited movement, or chronic discomfort as “just part of getting older.”

Your body deserves care.

Your health deserves priority.

Because therapy isn’t about indulgence.

It isn’t a luxury.

It isn’t a splurge.

It’s an investment in the one thing you can’t replace. Your health.

Fees, payment options and what happens at a first appointment are all on the patient info page. Or call 516-409-1240 and tell me what is going on, and I will tell you honestly whether I can help.

Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy

How many sessions will I need?

Every healing journey is unique. Even two people who had the same operation will differ, because healing is influenced by metabolism, daily activity and how soon someone goes back to work or exercise. I cannot tell you from a phone call without assessing you, and I do not ask anyone to prepay for a set number of sessions.

Why is specialist bodywork more expensive than a spa massage?

Because it is a different job. A spa hour is a luxury. Scar tissue restricts how you move, and that is a functional problem that affects how you sleep, work and lift. Fees and payment options are on the patient info page.

I have already spent money on physical therapy and chiropractic. Why would this be different?

It may not be, and I will tell you that honestly at a first session rather than sell you a course of treatment. What is often different is the question being asked. Treating what hurts and treating what is causing it are not the same thing.

Do you take insurance?

I do not accept HSA or FSA cards. I do provide a superbill you can submit for out-of-network reimbursement, and there is a physician’s prescription form on the patient info page if your insurer wants one.

Is it worth coming in if the pain is not that bad yet?

Usually, yes. The longer dysfunction continues, the more your body compensates, and those compensations can create additional problems that are often more difficult to correct.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Marjorie Brook, LMT created the S.T.R.A.I.T Method for scar tissue release and has practiced it for 29 years in Wantagh, Long Island. She trains therapists internationally and has taught clinical staff at Singapore General Hospital and Shriners Children’s Hospital. About Marjorie → · Book an appointment →

The post Therapy Isn’t a Splurge appeared first on Marjorie Brook, LMT.

By Marjorie Brook, LMT · Licensed massage therapist, 29 years · Creator of the S.T.R.A.I.T Method

How to Advocate for Yourself at the Doctor: Never Surrender Your Voice

At some point in many people’s lives, they come to realize that no one knows their body better than they do.

Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, recovering from surgery, managing a long-term illness, or simply trying to understand why something doesn’t feel right, one lesson becomes painfully clear: you must become your own patient advocate.

Unfortunately, too many people leave a medical appointment feeling unheard, dismissed, or even made to question their own experiences.

They are told, “Your tests are normal,” “It’s just part of getting older,” “It’s probably stress,” or “You’ll have to learn to live with it.”

But normal test results do not always mean there isn’t a problem.

Pain is real.

Fatigue is real.

Loss of function is real.

Fear and frustration are real.

And if something feels wrong, you deserve to have your concerns taken seriously.

You are the expert on your body

Healthcare professionals bring years of education and clinical experience.

That expertise is invaluable.

But there is one thing they don’t have – they don’t live in your body.

Only you know what has changed.

Only you know how your symptoms affect your daily life.

Only you know when something simply isn’t right.

Your observations are not insignificant. They are clinical information.

Nobody had ever asked him

Marjorie on the client who changed her practice.

My very first client in the student clinic had been coming to that clinic for ten years.

Every single note in his file said the same thing. Lower back pain.

I came in to work on his back, and he was on the table, and he had scars all over the front of his body.

A large zipper scar up his midsection.

A smaller one down his right side.

Another on his ribcage that I first took for a fatty tumour.

I was about to graduate and nobody had ever mentioned scars to me.

Not do this, not don’t do this. It was not discussed.

So I asked him whether I could work on his scars.

He said, “Nobody’s every asked me that before.”

Within three or four sessions, the lower back pain was gone.

He is still my client today, and he is also my accountant.

Ten years of appointments, and the question nobody had asked him was the one that mattered.

That is not a story about a clever therapist.

It is a story about what gets missed when nobody looks at the whole person.

And about why the person most likely to notice the thing everyone else walked past is you.

Being your own advocate doesn’t mean being difficult

Many people hesitate to ask questions because they don’t want to seem confrontational.

Advocacy isn’t about arguing with your healthcare provider.

It’s about becoming an active participant in your care.

That means:

• Asking questions until you understand the answers.
• Requesting clarification when something doesn’t make sense.
• Seeking a second, or even third, opinion when necessary.
• Bringing notes, timelines, or symptom journals to appointments.
• Respectfully speaking up when you feel your concerns are being overlooked.

The best healthcare happens when patients and providers work as partners.

Tell somebody the part you left out

Here is something I have learned from running classes rather than from treating one person at a time.

No matter how many times you ask somebody to write out their medical history, you still have to ask extra questions.

People leave bits and pieces out.

Sometimes they have forgotten. Sometimes they would rather not remember.

I had a woman volunteer in a scar tissue class with a fifteen-year-old C-section scar.

It was barely visible on the surface.

As I started working above the scar, she said it felt like I was driving a railroad spike through her back.

A few minutes later she mentioned, almost in passing, that it had been an emergency C-section.

And that the epidural had gone wrong and left her temporarily paralysed.

None of that had been on her form.

And then something else came out.

She had gone to her doctors two weeks before the birth and told them the baby was too big.

Nobody listened to her.

She had been right, and she had spent 15 years carrying what happened next.

If there is a detail you have been leaving off the form because it feels irrelevant, or because you would rather not go back to it, that is often the detail that explains the rest.

Don’t let anyone dismiss what you’re feeling

One of the most damaging things that can happen is when patients begin doubting themselves because someone else dismisses their symptoms.

You know your body.

If your symptoms persist. If your pain continues. If your function is declining. If your quality of life is suffering.

Keep asking questions.

Keep searching for answers.

Keep advocating for yourself.

History is filled with stories of people who were repeatedly told nothing was wrong, until the right practitioner finally listened.

Persistence can change lives.

And if you are a parent, you are the advocate in that room, because children almost never get one.

Healing is more than test results

Medicine has made incredible advances, but not everything can be measured with a blood test, MRI, or X-ray.

Scar tissue dysfunction, fascial restrictions, nerve irritation, movement impairments, and many functional problems can significantly impact quality of life while remaining invisible on traditional imaging.

A test that doesn’t explain your symptoms is not proof that your symptoms don’t exist. It simply means the answer hasn’t been found yet.

Trust your instincts

Your intuition is an important part of your healthcare journey.

If a diagnosis doesn’t fit. If a treatment isn’t helping. If you feel rushed or unheard. If you’re told there’s nothing else that can be done, yet your body tells you otherwise.

Listen to yourself.

Seek another opinion.

Find practitioners who listen, investigate, and treat you as a whole person, not just a collection of test results.

You deserve to be heard

Every patient deserves compassion.

Every patient deserves respect.

Every patient deserves to have their concerns acknowledged.

Never give away your power simply because someone has a title after their name.

Expertise deserves respect, but so does your lived experience.

Your voice matters.

Your experiences matter.

Your symptoms matter.

And your health is worth fighting for.

Because no one will ever be a stronger advocate for your health than you.

If you have been told to live with something and your body disagrees, call 516-409-1240 and tell me what is going on. I will tell you honestly whether I can help. No referral is needed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Advocating for Your Healthcare

What do I do if my doctor says my tests are normal but I still have pain?

Normal test results do not always mean there is no problem. Many functional problems – scar tissue dysfunction, fascial restrictions, nerve irritation, movement impairments – can affect quality of life while remaining invisible on traditional imaging. A test that does not explain your symptoms is not proof your symptoms do not exist. It means the answer has not been found yet.

How do I advocate for myself without seeming difficult?

Advocacy is not arguing with your provider. It is asking questions until you understand the answers, asking for clarification, seeking a second opinion when you need one, bringing notes or a symptom timeline, and speaking up respectfully when you feel overlooked.

Should I tell my therapist about an old injury or surgery I think is unrelated?

Yes. People leave things off their history, sometimes because they have forgotten and sometimes because they would rather not remember. That detail is often the one that explains everything else.

Do I need a doctor’s referral to see you?

No referral is needed to book. If your insurer wants a prescription for out-of-network reimbursement, there is a physician’s prescription form in the Forms section of the patient info page.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Marjorie Brook, LMT created the S.T.R.A.I.T Method for scar tissue release and has practiced it for 29 years in Wantagh, Long Island. She trains therapists internationally and has taught clinical staff at Singapore General Hospital and Shriners Children’s Hospital. About Marjorie → · Book an appointment →

The post How to Advocate for Yourself at the Doctor appeared first on Marjorie Brook, LMT.

By Marjorie Brook, LMT · Licensed massage therapist, 29 years · Creator of the S.T.R.A.I.T Method

Why Early Scar Tissue Treatment After Surgery Can Make All the Difference

When preparing for surgery, most people focus on the procedure itself.

They ask about the surgeon’s experience, the risks, the recovery time, and when they can return to normal activities.

What many people don’t think about is what happens after the incision heals.

Unfortunately, once the stitches are removed and the scar looks “good,” patients are often told they’re finished healing.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

While the skin may have closed, the body continues healing beneath the surface for months, and sometimes years.

During that time, scar tissue forms.

If it develops with restrictions, it can affect far more than the appearance of the scar.

First, what I am not saying

Not every scar is an issue.

But every scar has the potential to be the root cause of issues developing.

Scar tissue is your body’s natural repair process.

It forms after every surgery, injury, burn or trauma, and it is supposed to.

The problem isn’t that scar tissue develops.

The problem is when your body overproduces it, or when it adheres and becomes stuck.

That is what leads to restriction, and to your body compensating for it somewhere else.

And it is far easier to influence while the tissue is still forming than it is years later.

What adhered scar tissue does

When scar tissue adheres, it can bind together layers of skin, fascia, muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and even internal organs.

As these tissues lose their ability to glide freely, movement becomes compromised.

The result may include:

• Pain or tenderness
• Tightness or pulling
• Reduced range of motion
• Weakness
• Numbness or tingling
• Altered posture or movement patterns
• Persistent swelling
• Difficulty returning to normal activities

Some of these appear immediately after surgery.

Others can develop years, or even decades, later.

What scar tissue can and cannot do

At its best, scar tissue is 70 to 80 percent as functional as the tissue it replaced.

Without therapy, it is usually operating at only 10 to 20 percent.

That gap is the reason any of this matters.

The goal is never to get rid of scar tissue, and it is never to break it up.

Scar tissue is released, layer by layer.

The goal is to get it working as close to that 70 or 80 percent as it can.

“But I was told to wait twelve weeks”

You were told right, for the wrong kind of work.

The standard advice is to wait ten to twelve weeks after surgery before anyone works on a scar, so the tissue has time to lay down.

That rule exists for a good reason.

You are supposed to scar.

Nobody should be in there working a scar before it has formed, or forcing a joint to bend before it is ready.

You cannot stop scarring without interrupting healing, and forcing it creates more scar tissue and more pain.

Unfortunately, a lot of therapies go after the scar, or the wound while it is still healing, far too soon.

They do the opposite of what they are trying to do.

How you scar is a different matter, and that can be guided.

What can be done in that window

There are two stages, and almost nobody explains the first one.

In the first three months, while the tissue is still laying down, you can start very light work almost immediately.

In a hospital bed, if that is where you are.

• Lymphatic work
• Gentle myofascial work
• Deep oscillation
• LymphaTouch
• Polarity therapy
• Gentle range of motion after a couple of weeks

It is half an hour, no more, and it is very light, with almost no manipulation.

The point at this stage is not to release anything.

The point is to guide the collagen and the tissue to heal in a better pattern, more congruent with the tissue around it.

Then at about three months, when the tissue is more set and the wound is considered mature, you can begin the release work.

Release means getting the tissue unstuck.

Scar tissue is never broken up, and it is never forced.

Adhesions are a different thing, and adhesions can be broken down.

What is happening there is a chemical change in the fluid between the tissue layers, altering the sticky back to free-flowing fluid.

Why earlier means less

Many people wait until pain becomes severe before seeking treatment, which is understandable.

By then the body has been working around the restriction for months or years, and the working-around has become a problem of its own.

A knee replacement can become hip pain, and then low back pain.

A shoulder repair can change how you turn your neck.

An abdominal incision can change how you breathe and how you hold your core.

Treat it early, and you are treating a scar.

Wait, and you are treating a scar plus years of compensation built on top of it.

Do the post-op work early, and you usually need very little of the heavier work later.

If your surgery hasn’t happened yet

That is the best phone call you can make.

If the surgery is planned and it isn’t an emergency, you should be having at least two lymphatic sessions in the seventy-two hours before it, and then again immediately after.

Your immune system is about to be attacked.

A surgery is a life-saving thing, and it is still an attack on the body.

You want that system cleared out and bolstered before it happens, not after.

Nobody ever mentions this, and it costs the medical side nothing to say it.

I can also prepare the side of your body that is about to take over the work while the other side is immobile.

Where I am

My office is in Wantagh, on the south shore of Long Island, in Nassau County.

No referral is needed to book.

Call 516-409-1240 and tell me what you have had done and what is going on. I will tell you honestly whether I can help, and whether it is too early.

“I’ve had a difficult time recovering from my ACL/Meniscus surgery. I’m approaching 6 months and still can’t fully extend my leg. After 2 sessions I already feel like my extension has improved. I’m hopeful I can avoid going back in for another procedure for them to scrape away the scar tissue now that I’m seeing Marjorie! She’s amazing!” – Jennifer Rosebuds

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Marjorie Brook, LMT created the S.T.R.A.I.T Method for scar tissue release and has practiced it for 29 years in Wantagh, Long Island. She trains therapists internationally and has taught clinical staff at Singapore General Hospital and Shriners Children’s Hospital. About Marjorie → · Book an appointment →

Scar Tissue FAQs

When should you start scar massage after surgery?

The usual advice is ten to twelve weeks, and for hands-on release work that is right. The tissue needs time to lay down first.

Lighter post-operative work can begin much sooner, often within days. That is a different treatment: half an hour, very gentle, using lymphatic work, gentle myofascial work, deep oscillation, LymphaTouch and polarity therapy to guide how the tissue forms rather than to release it.

It depends on your procedure and how your incision is healing, so call and describe it.

When can you start C-section scar massage?

The same two stages apply. Light post-operative work can begin early; release work waits until the tissue has matured at around three months.

Call and describe the surgery, including whether it was planned or an emergency. Those are two different situations and they heal differently.

Can you prevent scar tissue after surgery?

No, and you would not want to. Scar tissue is how your body repairs itself, and you cannot stop it forming without interrupting healing.

What can be influenced is how it forms, and whether it adheres.

Can you break up scar tissue?

No. Scar tissue is released, layer by layer, and forcing through a restriction can cause the body to lay down more of it.

Adhesions are a different thing, and adhesions can be broken down. What is happening there is a chemical change in the fluid between the tissue layers, altering the sticky back to free-flowing fluid.

Does all scar tissue cause problems?

Not every scar is an issue. But every scar has the potential to be the root cause of issues developing.

At its best, scar tissue is 70 to 80 percent as functional as the tissue it replaced. Without therapy it is usually operating at only 10 to 20 percent.

Is it too late if my surgery was years ago?

Almost never. It does not matter how old a scar is. I have worked on scars as old as eighty years and made a difference.

Earlier is easier, because there is less compensation built on top of it. But old is not the same as closed.

Should I have anything done before surgery?

If the surgery is planned rather than an emergency, yes. At least two lymphatic sessions within seventy-two hours before, and again immediately after.

Your immune system is about to be under attack, and it is better to go in with it cleared out and bolstered.

The post Don’t Wait: Early Scar Tissue Treatment After Surgery appeared first on Marjorie Brook, LMT.

Swelling is expected after surgery. But swelling is supposed to be temporary. That expectation gets repeated after nearly every surgery. Patients hear it after cosmetic procedures, orthopedic repairs, abdominal operations, and cancer-related interventions. Early inflammation makes sense. Tissue trauma triggers fluid movement as part of healing.

Problems begin when swelling does not fade.

Weeks pass. Months follow. The area still feels heavy or tight. Clothing fits differently. Skin appears puffy or uneven. Scars feel bound down. Movement feels restricted. In some situations, swelling spreads or hardens rather than settling.

Across Long Island and New York City, many people quietly live with this outcome, assuming it is simply something they must accept. In reality, unresolved swelling usually points to lymphatic dysfunction rather than failed healing.

Understanding that distinction can shift the entire recovery process.

The Lymphatic System’s Role in Healing Is Often Overlooked

The lymphatic system regulates fluid balance, immune activity, and tissue health. Unlike the circulatory system, it does not rely on a central pump. Movement, breathing, tissue glide, and subtle pressure changes keep lymph moving.

Surgery disrupts all of those mechanisms.

Incisions interrupt lymphatic vessels. Scar tissue limits motion between layers. Protective muscle guarding alters posture. Pain changes breathing patterns. Even prolonged rest can slow lymph flow when it becomes excessive.

Once lymphatic movement slows, fluid accumulates. Proteins remain trapped in tissue. Inflammation persists. Over time, this environment contributes to fibrosis, discomfort, and structural change.

That process explains why swelling sometimes becomes chronic rather than temporary.

When Swelling Is a Sign of Lymphedema

Lymphedema develops when lymphatic pathways are damaged or overwhelmed beyond their capacity. It frequently follows cancer treatment, lymph node removal, radiation exposure, or repeated surgical trauma.

Early symptoms are often subtle and misunderstood:

• A heavy or full sensation rather than sharp pain
• Mild size differences between limbs or body regions
• Tightness that worsens as the day goes on
• Skin that feels thickened or less pliable
• Swelling that improves overnight but quickly returns

Without proper lymphatic support, lymphedema can progress. Tissue may become firmer. Mobility can decline. Skin health may change.

Gentle lymphatic stimulation, particularly approaches that lift tissue rather than compress it, plays a critical role in managing this condition safely and effectively.

Lipedema: When Swelling Is Not About Weight

Lipedema is frequently misdiagnosed or dismissed. This condition involves abnormal fat and fluid distribution, most commonly affecting the hips, thighs, legs, and sometimes arms. Pain, tenderness, easy bruising, and swelling are common features.

Unlike weight-related changes, lipedema does not respond predictably to diet or exercise. Swelling often worsens with heat, hormonal shifts, or prolonged standing. Many individuals are told to simply try harder, which only adds frustration and confusion.

Lymphatic congestion often overlaps with lipedema. Supporting lymph flow can reduce pressure, heaviness, and discomfort even when fat distribution remains unchanged.

A thoughtful approach focuses on tissue health, circulation, and nervous system regulation rather than aggressive manipulation.

Plastic Surgery Recovery and Lingering Edema

Cosmetic procedures place significant demands on the lymphatic system. Liposuction, tummy tucks, breast surgery, body contouring, and reconstructive work all involve extensive tissue disruption.

While swelling is expected initially, problems arise when:

• Edema persists months after surgery
• Skin feels firm, uneven, or hardened
• Scars restrict movement or sensation
• Fluid pockets remain despite compression
• Healing appears stalled or incomplete

Compression garments alone rarely address scar behavior or deeper tissue restriction. Without restoring lymphatic pathways and tissue glide, swelling may linger far longer than anticipated.

Targeted lymphatic therapy helps guide fluid out of compromised areas while supporting scar integration. When done correctly, it improves comfort and helps surgical results settle more naturally over time.

Scar Tissue: A Common Denominator Across Conditions

Scar tissue influences far more than appearance. Adhesions limit glide between tissue layers, compress lymph vessels, and alter movement patterns.

Even small scars can disrupt drainage pathways. Abdominal scars may influence pelvic or leg swelling. Breast scars can affect chest and arm circulation. Orthopedic scars often change mechanics well beyond the joint involved.

When scar mobility remains unaddressed, lymphatic congestion frequently follows.

Supporting scar tissue health is essential for long-term comfort and fluid balance.

Why Aggressive Techniques Often Backfire

Swollen or compromised tissue does not respond well to force. Deep pressure may irritate lymph vessels, trigger protective nervous system responses, and push fluid into areas unable to drain efficiently.

Gentle negative pressure approaches work differently. By lifting tissue rather than compressing it, space returns between layers. Lymphatic channels reopen. Fluid movement improves without overstimulation.

This distinction is especially important for individuals with lymphedema, lipedema, or post-surgical sensitivity.

How LymphaTouch® Supports Lymphatic and Scar Recovery

LymphaTouch® uses controlled negative pressure combined with subtle vibration to stimulate lymphatic flow and improve tissue mobility. Instead of pushing downward, it gently lifts tissue layers.

That lifting action helps:

• Encourage lymphatic drainage
• Reduce edema without pain
• Soften fibrotic or restricted tissue
• Support scar integration
• Improve circulation and tissue glide

When integrated with skilled hands-on therapy, this approach supports healing without overwhelming sensitive systems.

Advanced LymphaTouch® therapy is often used when gentle lymphatic stimulation is required to support recovery from surgery, cancer treatment, or chronic swelling patterns.

Specialized Lymphatic Care in Long Island and NYC

Access to experienced lymphatic care is not evenly distributed. Many Nassau County and Suffolk County residents report difficulty finding providers who specialize in complex swelling, scar-related restriction, or post-cancer recovery.

As a result, individuals from New York City often travel to Long Island seeking more specialized, individualized care. Consistency matters with lymphatic work, and having local expertise allows treatment to progress thoughtfully rather than sporadically.

On Long Island, Marjorie Brook works with clients managing lymphedema, lipedema, plastic surgery recovery, and unresolved post-surgical swelling. Her approach integrates LymphaTouch® therapy with hands-on scar and fascial techniques, always guided by tissue response.

Sessions are unhurried. Treatment plans evolve over time. Nothing is forced.

Many clients arrive after being told swelling is simply something they must live with. For them, understanding lymphatic function becomes the turning point.

What Progress Often Looks Like

Improvement rarely happens overnight, yet meaningful changes tend to emerge gradually:

• Reduced heaviness or pressure
• Softer tissue texture
• Improved range of motion
• Better tolerance for daily activity
• A sense that healing is finally moving forward

These shifts often occur without flare-ups or setbacks when therapy respects the body’s capacity.

When to Seek Lymphatic-Focused Support

Specialized lymphatic care may be appropriate if you notice:

• Swelling lasting months after surgery
• Diagnosed or suspected lymphedema
• Painful swelling associated with lipedema
• Plastic surgery recovery that feels incomplete
• Scars that feel tight, painful, or restrictive

Early intervention can prevent progression, although improvement remains possible even years later.

Healing Does Not Always End When You Are Discharged

Medical clearance does not always equal complete recovery. Many people exist in the space between “everything looks fine” and “something still feels wrong.”

That gap often reflects unmet lymphatic needs.

With proper support, fluid can move again. Tissue can soften. Comfort can return. Healing can continue long after the expected timeline has passed.

For individuals across Long Island and New York City dealing with unresolved swelling, lymphedema, lipedema, or post-surgical recovery challenges, a lymphatic-focused approach may be the missing piece that allows healing to finally make sense. Call today to book your appointment with Majorie Brook, LMT.

The post Why Post-Surgical Swelling, Lymphedema, and Lipedema Often Don’t Resolve on Their Own appeared first on Marjorie Brook, LMT.

Guest on Dr. Mitchell’s The Smartest Doctor in the Room Podcast

I recently had the pleasure of joining Dr. Dean Mitchell on his podcast The Smartest Doctor in the Room to discuss how scar tissue treatment and proper stretching can improve your life.

DR. DEAN MITCHELL

So we have all experienced the cuts and bruises in our lives, and many of us have actually gone under the knife, you know, for a surgical procedure. Afterward, we are left with a scar that over time will fade, but just sometimes doesn’t feel like our original skin in medical school. One of my first pathology lectures was all about, inflammation and healing and actually how scar tissue forms with the connective tissue coming in. But I have to tell you, for the rest of my medical training, I never heard another word about scar tissue or how it affects us.

My guest today, Marjorie Brook, is an internationally known educator and medical massage therapist who has spent over 30 years in her career caring for and teaching healthcare practitioners about her expertise. You know, as I’ve mentioned before, to patients, I’m pretty open-minded, and obviously, though I have a medical degree and I’m a conventional doctor and I do a lot of holistic medicine, I’m always searching to find people doing unusual things that I think could benefit my patients that I wanna learn more about. And I was really fortunate cause I had a really smart patient that is a mutual patient of Marjorie’s and myself. And when I heard what Marjorie was doing, I was very curious. And we got to meet up. And I’ve actually come to her as a patient and I think she does great work. And I just really wanted her on the podcast to talk about her work with scar tissue and some of the other things she does. So it’s my pleasure to welcome Marjorie Brook to the podcast.

Okay, so the first thing we will get into is scar tissue. Cause that’s what actually got me interested in meeting you. This was all right before COVID broke. I dunno if you remember we got to finally meet at a conference you came to, I was speaking and you came to attend, which was, you know, really nice. As  I mentioned in the introduction, you know, scars tend to remind us of an injury or an operation. And sometimes also even psychologically kind of tells us that we’re no longer perfect. But maybe you could give sort of a broad overview of what, how, what you see, you know, how you look at scar tissue and if you could even explain to some degree what a scar is.

What’s the Issue with Scar Tissue?

MARJORIE BROOK

Well, basically when people think of scars, they think mainly of the aesthetic look of how it altered the way they look. But what people really don’t understand is that scar tissue can affect every single system in the body.

I’m not saying that every single scar is an issue, but every single scar has the potential to be an issue. And people don’t even realize that the scar tissue is actually causing a problem because the doctors don’t talk about it. All the pains that people have or things that people say, oh, it’ll, it’ll fade in time, or it’s just going to be that way can actually usually be traced back to the scar tissue. Scar tissue is actually the tissue that replaces the tissue that’s been injured. All right. And a lot of people hear things about breaking up scar tissue and taking scar tissue away.

Well, you really can’t do that. Scar tissue literally has to be there. Every wound heals with some form of scarring and it’s meant to be there. And the point is, you just have to understand that it’s not as effectively able to behave and perform as well as normal tissue. It’s only about 80% as functional as normal tissue at its best. But scar tissue left on its own can have multiple issues and multiple problems. It can run rampant, it can spread through the body, it can cause restrictions, it can cause poles, it can interfere with the, uh, circulatory system. It can interfere with the electromagnetic system in our body. It interferes with the energy. If you’re gonna go with traditional Chinese medicine, it actually can block and interfere with everything in this, in the, in this in our body with every single system.

DR. DEAN MITCHELL

Okay. I’m going to stop you there because that’s a lot to swallow.

You always provide a lot of information. But I want to try to take a little bit simpler and then No, and then we’re gonna go deeper. So again, the way I visualize it, and you know, what’s interesting is because scar tissue could be on the skin, as you know, on the tendons, on muscles, internal organs, I guess. And I tend to think of, again, from my medical training as scar tissue being, see this is where the problem is almost like glue or, you know, that’s like a layman’s term, but the, the collagen coming in, which is not the original tissue. Right. So just for example, I mean, if you get a scar on your face, I mean, you have what we call dermal cell epidermal and dermal cells. And then where that cut is, whether it’s, you know, done by a doctor or if you got an injury, that tissue comes in and heals and it’s collagen tissue, which is not the exact same tissue. Am I saying this correctly as the original skin tissue? So it’s like almost like a filler?

MARJORIE BROOK

Well, no, a part of it actually. It’s pretty much formed out of the same materials. Only it gets excessive collagen. Too much collagen. Cause you have collagen in your regular tissues. What it is, is, is the way the tissue, uh, re-knits itself together, if you think of the collagen fibers as threads that are all getting basket weaved in to fill in the the scar where formally the tissue went like this. Right now the tissues are like this and this is the problem.

DR. DEAN MITCHELL

It’s almost like essentially sewing up the tissue so it gets stronger because scar tissue is not as strong as the original tissue. Is that correct?

MARJORIE BROOK

Correct. So at its best left, if it’s healed as best as it can, scar tissue is about 70 to 80% as functional as normal tissue, which means it’s not as stronger. It’s actually weaker. And it can interfere with the tension like your skin is meant to, has tension to pull in a certain way. But if you have a cross now, it can’t do that. Now it’s pulling.

DR. DEAN MITCHELL

Now there are some limitations.

MARJORIE BROOK

Yeah. It’s not, it’s not moving the way it was designed, it’s limited and those poles can end up  pulling throughout the whole body. It’s like one big chain. Right. And you can have a scar on your shoulder and it could be pulling and end up causing a problem down by your ankle on the other side of the body.

Does the Scars Age Make a Difference in Its Impact on the Body?

DR. DEAN MITCHELL

Wow. Does it matter also how old a scar is? Especially like when you see patients, I mean, obviously maybe till somebody finds out about you, their scar is 10 years old or, you know, or, um, maybe someone’s fortunate and they’ve seen you in the last six months when they noticed a scar either wasn’t healing right. Or was giving them problems. So does that matter to you when you’re caring for them?

MARJORIE BROOK

It doesn’t matter how old a scar is. I’ve worked on scars as old as 80 years old and made a difference. Our tissue is very elastic and we can alter and change our tissue. That’s not an issue. The connective tissue, the fascia is. The best thing is you wanna start working with the body as soon as you have the injury and not necessarily working, you won’t allow the first three months to allow the body to actually scar. It’s supposed to scar. Right. That’s how. Right, right. Unfortunately, people go after the scar way to the injury too soon to avoid a scar. Like they actually make a worse scar because they don’t allow the body time to heal.

DR. DEAN MITCHELL

The post Scar Tissue Treatment and Proper Stretching: Essentials for Your Health appeared first on Marjorie Brook, LMT.

What is Scar Tissue?

Scar tissue is dense, fibrous connective tissue your body produces to repair skin, muscle, and organs after an injury, surgery, or inflammation. Unlike the tissue it replaces, scar tissue is stiffer, less elastic, and only about 70% as functional — and it doesn’t always stay where the wound was. It can spread through the body’s connective tissue (fascia), binding layers together and causing pain, stiffness, and restricted movement months or even decades later.

So what is a scar? We all hear about scars. We think about a scar as what we can see – the mark on our face, chest, legs, or a cut from surgery. But the truth is, what you see on the top is just the beginning. It’s just the surface.

Now every scar you see is not necessarily a problem but more often than not, it does relate to issues because that little scar you’re seeing on the surface is actually just the tip of the iceberg. You ever see that picture where you see the very tip of the iceberg and then they show you below the surface and it’s spread to beyond gigantic in size. That’s what can happen with scars within your body. The scar tissue can spread.

Scar tissue causes your tissue to stick together instead of allowing it to slip and slide and move the way it’s supposed to move. Take a c-section scar for example, when you feel that scar on the surface, that top layer actually moves and doesn’t seem to be a problem. But if you’ve reached down a little bit below or a little bit above the scar, you feel a thick, ropey stuck area within your abdomen and pelvis. That’s actually the scar tissue.

What Most People Don’t Realize About Scar Tissue

What most people don’t even realize is that scar tissue can spread – that it doesn’t just stay right underneath that incision line that you see or where you have the road rash from where you fell off your bike during some type of extreme sport on your motorcycle.

The scar tissue gets stuck and ends up spreading throughout your body three-dimensionally. Very common with c-sections is having scar tissue that sticks down to your flexor muscles or down towards your pubic bone which is limiting your ability for your hip and pelvis to move. It pulls you down in front and it can go straight three-dimensionally all the way to your back attached to the muscles and the bones in the back of your sacrum and spine.

It can even travel all the way up to your diaphragm making it hard for you to breathe and hard for you to fully extend. And you’re totally unaware of it being the cause of your pain and issues because on the surface you look healed.

You have the scar and think it can’t be affecting me now. Not true. It can be.

Anytime you have an alteration in your tissue and your connected tissue that holds you together, you’re going to have a problem at some point in time. If not immediately in the future. Somewhere in your body, there will be a problem as a result of your scar tissue.

Here’s another crazy example. When someone has breast augmentation. Believe it or not, that pull from having the scar from augmentation can eventually cause issues in your feet. That’s right – one end to the other.

Your tissue is one big piece and any kind of disruption, kink, or problem within that tissue is going to cause an issue – and not necessarily where the scar is but somewhere else in your body.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can scar tissue cause pain years after surgery?

Yes. Scar tissue doesn’t expire — restrictions can surface years or decades after the original injury or surgery, often in places far from the scar itself. In Marjorie’s clinical experience, “60% of what shows up on a massage therapist’s table traces back to a childhood or early-age injury.” Because the body compensates gradually, most people never connect their hip pain, back pain, or breathing restriction to a scar they stopped noticing long ago.

Does scar tissue go away on its own?

Not usually. The body remodels scar tissue over time, but it rarely breaks it down completely — and unaddressed adhesions tend to spread as surrounding tissue compensates. Movement and stretching help, but tissue that has bound to muscle, nerve, or organ layers generally needs hands-on release work to restore normal glide.

How do you release scar tissue without surgery?

Manual scar tissue release works layer by layer, freeing the adhesions that bind skin, fascia, and muscle — no needles, no downtime. As Marjorie describes it: “It’s never a one-and-done. It’s a process — it’s layered. I don’t just attack a scar and try to release it.” Her S.T.R.A.I.T. Method, now taught to practitioners in more than a dozen countries, was developed specifically for this work. Sessions are gentle; therapy is not supposed to hurt.

Who treats scar tissue on Long Island?

Marjorie Brook, LMT — creator of the S.T.R.A.I.T. Method — treats scar tissue at her practice in Wantagh, in central Nassau County. Clients come from across Long Island, Queens, and New York City, many with complex post-surgical cases, and many referred by the very therapists she has trained. Appointments are one-on-one and begin with a full history and assessment.

Wondering if a scar is behind your pain?

If something in this article sounded familiar — the stiffness, the pulling, the pain that never quite traced back to anything — a scar you’ve stopped thinking about may be the reason. Learn how scar tissue release therapy works, or request an appointment at Marjorie’s Wantagh, Long Island office; you’ll get a reply within one business day. Not ready yet? Start with Scar Tissue 101 to understand how scar tissue affects the whole body.

》A B O U T   M A R J O R I E   B R O O K

Marjorie Brook, LMT is the creator of the S.T.R.A.I.T. Method — Scar Tissue Release And Integrated Therapies — a scar tissue release system now taught to therapists in more than 12 countries. She has been in clinical practice for 29 years and has been brought in to train clinical staff at Singapore General Hospital and Shriners Children’s Hospital in Boston. An NCBTMB-approved continuing education provider and published author, she founded Brook Seminars in 2007 and continues to teach internationally.

She still sees patients herself, by appointment only, from her private practice in Wantagh, New York — post-surgical scars, chronic pain, and complex cases other therapies haven’t resolved. 80% of the patients who come in for a first session come back.

CONNECT WITH MARJORIE:     

The post What is Scar Tissue? How it Forms & Why It Causes Pain appeared first on Marjorie Brook, LMT.

How Does Scar Tissue Affect Your Body

Scar tissue doesn’t stay where the scar is. Because your body is wrapped in one continuous sheet of connective tissue (fascia), a restriction at any scar can pull on muscles, nerves, and organs far from the original site — which is why scar tissue can affect every system in the body, from digestion to breathing to circulation. Symptoms often appear years later, in places no one thinks to connect to an old scar.

New to the topic? Start with What Is Scar Tissue for how it forms.

To some people, scars are trophies or war wounds to be proud of (there are even Facebook pages of people showing off their scars), but for others, scar tissue is a source of physical pain or a reminder of traumas that they wish to forget.

And for others, they are something they have already forgotten and are unaware of how it is affecting their body. For these people, the scars are so forgotten they don’t even get listed on medical history forms. Six out of ten women who come into my practice who had a c-section do not consider their c-section a surgical procedure.

“Six out of ten women who come to me for C-section scars don’t consider their C-section surgery — it’s ‘the day they gave birth.’ And if you’re not even acknowledging what your body went through, you’re certainly not healing correctly.”

Scar Tissue 101

Most people are aware of how scars impact the physical appearance of the body but most fail to recognize how scars impact their body internally. The truth of the matter is scars and the restrictions they cause can affect every system of the body.

Recognizing this is the key to unlocking mysterious pain and other issues that have been interfering with the body’s ability to function and balance.

Historically scar tissue has been ignored or even viewed as having no consequence by the medical world. So long as there’s no infection and they didn’t leave anything inside of you during surgery, the doctor’s job is done. Doctors are not thinking about scar tissue and its impact before, during or after surgical procedures. If you are having any type of abdominal or pelvic surgery, you have a 95-100% chance of having adhesions and scar tissue. But nothing is done about it. It’s no different than breast cancer and mastectomy patients not learning about lymphatic massage until lymphedema occurs, instead of being proactive and preventative and getting these massages before and after the surgery.

With all the current, ongoing research and information compiling on the importance of fascia, the medical world is starting to recognize the significance of scar tissue on the body. But there are still too many doctors who don’t recommend scar tissue therapies immediately following surgery and instead only recommend it when the scar tissue is causing noticeable pain for their patients.

The Case That Started It All

“I started developing the S.T.R.A.I.T. Method in massage therapy school, because my very first client in student clinic had scars all over his stomach — but was only complaining about lower back pain. In my head, the scars in the front had to be associated with the pain in the back. And that’s exactly what it was: a scar from when he was six days old, a scar from when he was 12, and a scar from when he was 45 — created by the scar tissue spreading from the first two throughout his life. He agreed to be my school project. Thirty years later, he’s not only still my client and out of lower back pain — he’s also my CPA.”

Scar Treatment Concerns – What to Look Out For

As with most new fields of interest, there have been many new versions of therapy popping up, which for the most part is a very good thing. Unfortunately, the negative side of new frontiers is that many therapies are being administered without a proper understanding of the subject matter.

• The internet is now flooded with inaccurate information about scar tissue and ways to cure it. There is even a guy out there who tells people in his book that they can stick themselves with pins to help with their scar tissue.
• Therapies are being applied with total lack of understanding of the physiology of scar tissue.
  “No one thing is the end-all be-all, because everybody is different. Person A and person B can have the exact same surgery, and it is in no way, shape, or form the same problem. How they heal, how they react, what they do in life — all of it affects their healing process.”
• There is little, or worse, no knowledge behind the events that caused the scars (i.e. surgeries, accidents, and what the corrective procedures actually did to the body). For example, there is a big difference between an emergency c-section and a planned c-section and the impact it has on the body.
• No attention is paid to the psychological and emotional trauma surrounding the event(s) which caused the scarring. This is important because touching or manipulating the scar could trigger PTSD. There are many people who have never even touched their scar due to the trauma associated with it.
• Few look for the possible compensations the body may have compiled in response to restrictions and what releasing those restrictions without proper rehab would do.

In other words, when it comes to the compensations, if someone has a c-section, that c-section may be pulling this person down or turning their pelvic or not allowing their pelvis to reset after the pregnancy. Or someone who had a mastectomy not being able to pull their arms open all the way or they can’t lift their arms overhead – all as a result of the surgery. Or people who have had foot or ankle surgery whose body has shifted because it changed their gait. Or women who have breast implants (not reconstruction) with foot pain. This is common as the fascia lines runs down the body from the breast to the feet and as a result of the implants there is now a pull that impacts the feet. Many women who increase their breast size by a cup or more with implants experience feet pain.

This lack of understanding and people just jumping at attempting to treat scar tissue without an understanding is honestly terrifying. 

In order to treat scar tissue, you need to find someone who understands scar tissue, what caused the scar, and all the events that lead up to the scar formation. 

Scar Tissue Misinformation

Here is some common misinformation regarding scar tissue.

• Scar tissue cannot be broken down nor can it be removed. Anyone who claims to breakdown scar tissue does not understand what scar tissue is.
• Scar tissue (not to be confused with adhesions) replaces normal tissue that is damaged. If you break down you are essentially saying that you are causing a new wound. At its best scar tissue is only 70% as functional as normal tissue. But scar tissue could be functioning at less than 10% of normal tissue. The goal with scar tissue therapy is to get it functioning as optimally as possible.
• The only person who can remove scar tissue is a surgeon who is literally cutting it out – only for new scar tissue to form. You want to avoid this whenever possible as it simply creates new scar tissue formation and it is very traumatizing to the body.
• Scar tissue is dead fibrous tissue – this is not true. Scar tissue composition and structure are different than that of the normal tissue it replaces. Because of changes in the relative amounts, type and structure of collagen, it is inferior to function.
• Anyone can treat a scar
• Scars only affect the tissue
• Scar tissue is only an esthetic issue

Most people are only concerned with how the scars alter their appearance and have no idea how the scars and adhesions are affecting their bodies on so many different levels or that scars can be a trigger for PTSD. For example, individuals who are getting angry or sad for no apparent reason but it’s really stemming from pressure on their scar tissue such as their bra or pants putting pressure on the scar. Or an action such as reaching for a can of peas causes a flashback or triggers an emotion because that action puts a strain on the scar tissue.

Misinformation: Scars only affect the tissue

Scar tissue affects every system of the body including

• Integumentary
• Muscular-skeletal
• Nervous
• Circulatory
• Lymphatic
• Respiratory
• Endocrine
• Urinary / Excretory
• Reproductive
• Digestive

Understanding how each of these systems can be affected by scar tissue can lead you to unravel the mysteries of the pain and frustration you have been suffering, in some cases for years.

How Scar Tissue is Different Than Other Tissue

• Scar tissue has less elasticity
• Scar tissue is not as strong as normal tissue (in fact it’s only 70% as strong at best)
• Scar tissue does not oxygenate well, creating a low (acidic) PH environment
• Scar tissue is different neurologically – it can transmit pain faster and more intensely than normal tissue
• Scar tissue does not contract – it moves through tension force
• Scars are less resistant to ultraviolet radiation (this means you have to wear sunblock on the scar)
• Scar tissue does not contain sweat glands and hair follicles
• Scar tissue is prone to injury

Because of the chaotic ways that the fibers are forming and the cross-tension pulls that scar tissue causes, it is not as strong as normal tissue and is more likely to tear and cause a problem. Additionally, it does not oxygenate well because the circulation is limited which limits the oxygen through the area. This causes a low (acidic) PH environment which is never good as it allows bad things like cancer to thrive.

Many patients experience a loss of feeling or sensation or pain where their scar is located. About 50% of women who have c-sections or hysterectomies are numb where their scar is due to the tissue not reconnecting properly after the surgery or they are bound up in the scar tissue. But during scar tissue release massage you can get the sensation of feeling back by releasing the bound-up nerves in the area.

The Goal of Working with Scar Tissue

The goal of working with scar tissue is to:

• release the adhered layers – get it separated and moving (not break them apart)
• attempt to re-establish homeostasis – or try to get the body to function the way it was designed to function
• release and correct the compensations from fascial restrictions
• be acutely aware of possible emotional release during this process

It’s about rehabbing the body and getting it as close as possible back to the “factory” settings.

Acknowledging that scar tissue may be at the root of the problem is the first step in any therapy. After that simply massaging the affected area can bring about change. Your therapist needs to thoroughly understand the event which caused the scar and everything that goes with it in order to truly treat the scar tissue.

There are so many wonderful forms of therapy available today to help people on their journey to balance health and wellness. One of the ways to achieve that health and balance are recognizing the effects scars are having on a person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you break up scar tissue?

No — and anyone who promises to “break down” scar tissue doesn’t understand what it is. Scar tissue replaces damaged tissue; breaking it apart would simply create a new wound and more scarring. What skilled therapy actually does is release the adhesions binding scar tissue to surrounding layers, restoring glide and function. The goal isn’t destruction — as Marjorie puts it, “it’s about rehabbing the body and getting it as close as possible back to the factory settings.”

How do you get rid of internal scar tissue without surgery?

You don’t remove it — only a surgeon can cut scar tissue out, and doing so creates new scar tissue in its place. Instead, manual release therapy works layer by layer to free internal adhesions so tissue can move the way it was designed to. Internal restrictions from abdominal or pelvic surgery are especially common: if you’ve had surgery there, you have a 95–100% chance of adhesions. Most respond well to hands-on release without any procedure.

Why is my scar numb — and can the feeling come back?

Numbness is one of the most common scar complaints: about 50% of women who’ve had C-sections or hysterectomies have numbness around their scar, because nerves didn’t reconnect properly or are bound in the scar tissue. In many cases, releasing the bound-up nerves during scar tissue release work restores sensation — patients are often surprised that feeling can return years later.

Who should treat scar tissue?

Someone who understands the scar’s full story — the surgery or injury that caused it, the compensations your body built around it, and the emotional weight it can carry. Training matters enormously here: “There are people taking a six-hour online course and calling themselves certified in scar work. When I teach somebody, it’s 250 hours in person.” Marjorie Brook developed the S.T.R.A.I.T. Method and treats complex scar cases at her Wantagh, Long Island practice, seeing patients from across Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, and NYC.

》A B O U T   M A R J O R I E   B R O O K

Marjorie Brook, LMT is the creator of the S.T.R.A.I.T. Method — Scar Tissue Release And Integrated Therapies — a scar tissue release system now taught to therapists in more than 12 countries. She has been in clinical practice for 29 years and has been brought in to train clinical staff at Singapore General Hospital and Shriners Children’s Hospital in Boston. An NCBTMB-approved continuing education provider and published author, she founded Brook Seminars in 2007 and continues to teach internationally.

She still sees patients herself, by appointment only, from her private practice in Wantagh, New York — post-surgical scars, chronic pain, and complex cases other therapies haven’t resolved. 80% of the patients who come in for a first session come back.

The post How Scar Tissue Affects Your Whole Body appeared first on Marjorie Brook, LMT.

Marjorie Brook, creator of the Scar Tissue Release and Integrated Therapies (S.T.R.A.I.T Method), speaking at the Polish Fascia Symposium on scar tissue.

I have been a massage therapist for over 29 years. In this time I have seen:

• Complications from scar tissue be dismissed by doctors – leaving their patients in pain and frustration
• A general population completely in the dark as to what is the root of their pain and suffering (i.e. they don’t realize that their back pain or shoulder pain is coming from the fall they had at the age of 15 that left a scar across their abdomen
• To current considerations by the medical profession that it may be a problem to some

Are Scars Really a Problem

This is a question I hear over and over and over again. And the answer is simply – while not every scar presents a problem, they all have the potential to become one.

Scars have been documented for over 3,700 years, yet they are still not entirely preventable. Despite advancement in the management of several diseases during the last centuries, scarring remains a tremendous clinical challenge to patients and clinicians.

Scar formation, although evolutionarily beneficial in wound healing, can create a substantial aesthetic and functional burden. And yet it is still the ugly step sister of the medical field. Never given the respect and understanding it deserves.

We are the only species that heals with a pathological scar. No other species has keloids or hypertrophic scars. Humans are a tight-skinned species unlike animals where the skin is loose for example a mother picking up her cub by the scrub of her neck. Our skin is very tight around our bodies. Scarring is a late evolutionary event that probably arose in response to a need, as hunter-gatherers, to heal quickly to avoid infection or detection by predators. We’ve evolved for speedy repair. And speedy repair is not necessarily quality repair.

Scar Statistics

• There are an estimated 12 million traumatic lacerations treated in the United States emergency rooms each year
• 250 million surgical incisions created worldwide every year
• 11 million burns severe enough to warrant medical treatment worldwide
• Every year 300,000 to 400,000 Americans approach their doctors to get their scars reduced
• Over $20 billion dollars are spent every year on the treatment and management of scars (this includes creams, lotions and therapies)

Scar Tissues Impact on the Body

Scar tissue forms after an injury, trauma, surgery, and, in some cases, disease. It can develop on the skin’s surface or internally. And, unfortunately, it’s the superficial scars or surface scars that concern people the most. They are concerned with how it looks and what it is doing to their appearance while they fail to focus on what the scar is doing to their body internally.

Scars are often considered trivial, but they can be disfiguring and aesthetically unpleasant and cause:

• severe itching
• tenderness
• pain
• sleep disturbance
• anxiety
• depression
• disruption of daily activities

The list of long-term complications is hefty and include:

PHYSIOLOGICAL

• nerve impingement
• pain
• numbness
• limited range of motion and flexibility
• postural misalignment
• muscle atrophy
• tissue hypoxia
• an increase in potential for future injury

PSYCHOSOCIAL

• development of post-traumatic stress reactions
• loss of self-esteem
• stigmatization

Depending on the way in which the scar tissue matures over time, these symptoms may not occur until years after the injury which is why the person at 40 years old with neck pain or back pain doesn’t relate it to the scar from when they were 15.

Scar tissue has the potential to affect every system in the body.

• Integumentary
• Muscular-skeletal
• Nervous
• Circulatory
• Lymphatic
• Respiratory
• Endocrine
• Urinary / Excretory
• Reproductive
• Digestive
• Polarity

Understanding how each of these systems can be affected by scar tissue can you unravel the mysteries of the pain and frustration you’re suffering, in some cases for years.

Emotional Impact of Scar Tissue

Physical scars cannot and do not show how much pain or suffering a person has experienced.

• Shock
• Guilt
• Failure
• Loss
• Detachment
• Trauma
• Anger and resentment
• Fear
• Low self-esteem
• Hopelessness/depression
• Disgust when seeing or touching the scar
• Sadness about the limits the scar places on everyday life
• Humor – yes, there can be funny stories behind accidents

The emotions surrounding the physicals scars can and do have a direct emotional and psychological effect. It can bring about significant self-image issues and lower self-confidence.

Research on the aftercare of burn survivors or those with severe facial scarring has proven this. The cases of patients with severe scarring suffering from depression (between 13-23% of cases) or post-traumatic stress disorder (between 13-45% of cases) have been documented.

Helping scar tissue mature and heal in conjunction with the body’s original state gives you the best chance to minimize and/or avoid these symptoms altogether. 

Scar Tissue Awareness

The potential for scar tissue related complications, in general, has been ignored or viewed as having no consequence. It is time to bring scar tissue into the light.

Recognition of potential to disrupt the natural order of the body.

• It is very common that people with scars are frustrated and confused by the complications they experience
• People with scars have no idea that the pain, stiffness, decreased mobility, lack of sensation, and weakness are resulting from their scars
• Without an understanding of what is happening to them, they do not know to seek therapy. They are left to face a lifetime of pain and limitations
• The medical world needs to start recommending actual scar therapy not just hand out creams or lotions to deal with scar tissue

Preventing scar development at the onset of wound healing is the ultimate goal.

The external shape of human body is determined by the underlying bony skeletal framework, which the skin must cover. To conform to this complex shape, the skin must be both viscous and elastic to deform and return to its original shape. Mechanically, it needs to be both strong and flexible and scar tissue interferes with this. Scar tissue is only 70% as functional as normal tissue. So, it is not as strong as normal tissue, it is not as elastic as normal tissue and it will impede in the skin’s ability to reshape and reform around the skeleton which limits the range of motion, flexibility and causing other issues.

Scar Formation & Tension

It is a well-known surgical dictum that if wounds are closed under tension, scars stretch and worsen according to the magnitude and direction of the forces acting on them. In scar prevention, the single most important modifiable factor is wound tension during the proliferative and remodeling phases, and this is determined by the choice or incision design.

This brings us to the Langer’s lines, relaxed skin tension lines and biodynamic excisional skin tension or BEST lines. Most people do not consider these lines with scar tissue and how it affects it but it’s exactly what needs to be considered in both when it comes time to close the wound and for therapy thereafter.

LANGER’S LINES
Langer’s lines which are skin tension lines, or cleavage lines, are named after the Austrian anatomist Karl Langer who first depicted them.

• They are topological lines drawn on a map of the human body.
• They correspond to the natural orientation of collagen fibers in the dermis, and are generally perpendicular to the orientation of the underlying muscle fibers.
• Skin lines are important when making and closing wounds.
• Ideally all wounds should be made parallel to Langer’s lines to optimize the cosmetic outcome.
• Wounds made across the lines of skin tension promote hypertrophic scarring and by wounds we’re talking incisions made by doctors.

The photo illustrates an example to show you that an incision perpendicular to cleavage lines may deepen and delay healing due to the pull from the tension in that area as opposed to the lower one where the incision line is parallel to the cleavage lines and is more likely to heal quickly because it doesn’t have the same amount of opposing force or tension on it.

RELAXED SKIN TENSION LINES (RSTL)

Relaxed skin tension line (RSTL) is a furrow created when the skin is pinched and relaxed in the absence of local tension. Relaxed skin tension lines (RSTL) versus other skin lines. This is why we don’t have as much scarring with the elderly as the tissue is losing its elasticity and there’s not much tension on it. However, as we know because of the lack of collagen that we have the elderly bruising more.

When Langer’s lines and RSTL lines run in the same direction over many parts of the body they are significantly different in mechanically complex areas such as the mouth corner and the temple.

BIODYNAMIC EXCISIONAL SKIN TENSION (BEST) LINES

Biodynamic excisional skin tension (BEST) lines have been derived by using tensiometer data (measure of muscle force) from patients undergoing skin excision. These show the optimal orientation of a skin excision to minimize tension across its closure.

While Langer’s lines run in a sagittal direction on the scalp, BEST lines run in a coronal direction. While RSTL/wrinkle lines run in a horizontal-oblique directions or on the limbs. On the lower limbs, BEST lines run in a vertical direction. So we need to keep in mind what type of wound, how the wound was formed, what the shape of the wound is and where the location of the wound is.

When it comes to closing the wounds and when it comes to treating the wounds, BEST lines appear to have a remarkable anatomical consistency of pattern across the human body. Following BEST lines can therefore be expected to reduce wound tension and improve both cosmetic results and surgical outcomes.

Plastic surgeons follow these principles in order to minimize scarring. Whenever possible the patient would be given the option to request a plastic surgeon to close the wounds and they need to be educated in regards to how to take care of the wounds after the surgery.

Post Injury Management of Surgical Incisions

The management of a surgical incisions does not end when the sutures are removed. Surgical scar care should be continued for one year. Scar tissue is continued to be produced for up to 18 months after the initial wound so just taking the sutures out because the surface is closed is not where the care should stop. We need to continue to treat and look after the area.

When an incision, cutting, ripping, or puncturing injury occurs the tension from the adjacent intact skin pulls the free edges of the wound apart. In places where the wounded skin is under greater tension, the wound gapes more widely and heals more slowly, and the resulting scar is relatively large.

Also, another consideration is that a new scar is weaker than the adjacent tissue. Scar tissue does not function the same as normal skin and if we have the newest scars or are the weakest in other words if you multiple scars you have one scar you go back for more surgery or you fall again in the same area. This new scar is not as strong and it’s weaker than the original tissue so you have multiple lines of tension being set up with different poles and different forces going against the original orientation and function of the skin. Pushes and pulls that would have no effect on healthy parts of the body can reopen a healing wound, even when it is protected by a well-made dressing.

Similarly, if there is significant skin tension surrounding the wound (e.g. over a bent knee), the healing wound will not be able to seal tightly. This is a big consideration for rehab for things like a knee or a joint. It’s usually common practice in physical therapy, at least old school, to force flexion on the knee very early into the healing process which doesn’t give the knee enough time to heal the area in order to avoid scar tissue. Unfortunately, force flexion causes more scar tissue because pulls and it helps pull the wound open during the flexion.

Phases of Wound Healing

You can’t talk about scar tissue and not talk about the phases of wound tissue.

Inflammatory Response

Occurs approximately 1 week to 30 days after surgery, when reparative cells gather at the incision, creating the structure on which future scar tissue will grow. It is perhaps the most vulnerable phase of scar formation.

Proliferative Phase

Cells divide rapidly to produce collagen, which fills gaps made by the incision, and worsened by everyday management and other stresses on the wound. It’s the time of greatest scar tissue growth, occurring until about 45 days after surgery.

Remodeling Phase

The critical end-phase of tissue healing, when the wound closes and fills with dry scar tissue. Gaps caused by tension on the skin may continue to be filled by collagen, leading to wider, thicker, darker scars, setting the stage for complete healing that may take up to a year.

Wound Healing Best Practices

Wound healing phases are not discrete. The proliferation phase begins even before the inflammation phase has completed and continues even as remodeling has begun. The remodeling phase itself continues long after the sutures have been removed and the dressing abandoned. Because of this, the care of an incisional wound should be considered as a continual process, and minimizing scar formation should be a long-term goal.

There are important aspects of wound management that must be emphasized to encourage patient participation.

Wounds should be dressed/taped following Langer’s to off load the tension. This would significantly reduce the scar.

• Gentle Movement: We have a tendency not to move to stabilize and isolate the area and leave it alone until the wound is closed and this is not the greatest thing in the world. As the wound heals slow gentle movement with intent to prevent restriction should be included in the therapy in order to encourage the collagen to lay down in the proper direction.
• Proper Nutrition: the vitamins and minerals that play roles typically associated with wound healing include vitamin A, vitamin C, zinc, copper and iron. Proteolytic enzymes can effectively “digest” scar tissue

Therapy for Existing Scars

Let’s talk about therapy for existing scars whether they’ve been around for 3 months or 80 years. The biggest and most important thing about treating scars is proper education.

I can’t stress this enough. The internet is now flooded with inaccurate information about scar tissue and ways to cure it. For example, that scar tissue cannot be broken down nor can it be removed. Anyone who claims to breakdown scar tissue, we’re not talking about adhesions, does NOT understand what scar tissue is. Scar tissue replaces normal tissue that is damaged. I you break it down or if your intent is to break it down you’re essentially saying that you’re going to cause a new wound. The only person who can actually remove scar tissue is a surgeon with a procedure such as scar revision. While scar revision removes the tissue usually results in the same or worse scar within a year after the procedure.

Once again we must return to the issue at hand – understanding and respecting scar tissue. Therapies are being applied with a total lack of understanding of the physiology of scar tissue. Many therapies look to interrupt and/or stop the formation of scar tissue before it has had time to complete its job – to repair and stabilize the wound.

Instead of trying to impede the formation we should be assisting and guiding it. Helping the collagen to laydown in a cohesive pattern. In order to do this, we once again must take the lines of tension into consideration. If it is a recent surgery all procedures should be looking at how the tensions have been altered from the wound and the client’s everyday living movement.

If it is an older wound, how has the formation of the scar tissue altered the tension in the body and how has the body compensated for it?

There is little, or worse, no knowledge behind the events that caused the scars (i.e. surgeries, accidents, and what the corrective procedures actually did to the body). I see this all the time. Scar tissue is very popular. We have all the tools such as cupping, instrument assisted blades, all types of therapies now but you can not just focus on the scar as an individual thing and go to release the scar.

You need to know the surgery behind it and everything that has occurred to that person via that surgery/accident, what was the rehab before you start to release that scar. For example, if you have someone who has had a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery, you need to know all the different types of reconstructive surgery, and the specific surgery that person has undergone. If they’ve had a piece of their lat removed, a piece of their glutes removed, if they’ve had the deep procedure. Any of those things and how all of those things have resulted in effects on the body both physically and emotionally. And remember the majority of people who get something like a reconstruction after a mastectomy do not receive rehab. And this is a very big problem.

We need to know how will releasing the scar affect the body – physically and emotionally. Little or no attention is paid to the physiological and emotional trauma surrounding the events which have caused the scar. So while working on the scar a person can have any possible emotional reaction during the treatment, after the treatment, within a week of the treatment, and not understand what is going on. So you need to make them aware of the fact and you need to be aware of the fact that this is a possibility so they are prepared to cope with it. Remember it’s not the issue in the tissue, the issue is in the brain. The tissue with the scar is the trigger.

What rehab has to be done after the release to aid the body to return to optimal function?
Few look for the possible compensations the body may have complied in response to the restrictions and what releasing those restrictions without proper rehab would do. You can not just release the scar and alter the tension that the body’s been working under and say “have a nice day.” We have to consider what has been altered and we have to figure out and work with the body to bring it back, as close as possible, to its original settings so the body can function in the manner in which it was designed. Otherwise, it’s going to go right back to what it knows which is the compensations that are in place.

As with all diseases, disorders, and dysfunctions (yes, scar tissue is/can be a cause of dysfunction), the therapist needs to understand all the aspects of what they are working with before they lay hands on someone.

There are so many wonderful forms of therapy available today to help people on their journey to balance health and wellness. No one is better than the other, rather we have to find the right one, or combination thereof, that works for each individual. That being said, there is nothing more important than recognizing the effect scars are having on a person. Knowing what those scars are doing physically, mentally and emotionally is key to helping a person heal.

In order for any therapy to be fully effective, you have to clear and release any and all scars that are impeding the body’s function. In other words, scar tissue release is the first step then you may proceed with any and all therapies that resonate with the patient. 

Scars should not only be viewed as a symptom or end result of a wound/injury but as a cause/major factor in disease, disorders and pain.

》A B O U T   M A R J O R I E   B R O O K

Marjorie Brook, LMT is the creator of the S.T.R.A.I.T. Method — Scar Tissue Release And Integrated Therapies — a scar tissue release system now taught to therapists in more than 12 countries. She has been in clinical practice for 29 years and has been brought in to train clinical staff at Singapore General Hospital and Shriners Children’s Hospital in Boston. An NCBTMB-approved continuing education provider and published author, she founded Brook Seminars in 2007 and continues to teach internationally.

She still sees patients herself, by appointment only, from her private practice in Wantagh, New York — post-surgical scars, chronic pain, and complex cases other therapies haven’t resolved. 80% of the patients who come in for a first session come back.

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