Massage Therapy Journal Summer 2025

Summer 2025 • 69

massage techniques and a second with practitioners with rigorous training and highly specialized techniques. Their investigation found no significant difference in outcomes for patients. In fact, they found that it was the experience with the massage itself that influenced a patient’s recovery. Furthermore, they recommended that more research be conducted to capture the experience of the patients. The incision scar is a local contraindication until the area is fully healed and in the remodeling (maturation) phase. At this time, there are no surgical staples, Steri-Strips or scabs. This timeframe is about eight weeks, and may be longer. Use deep friction and skin-rolling near and directly over the scar with or without lubricant. Use the pads of your thumb or fingers and move the scar and skin. Your fingers are not sliding over the scar; the scar is moving with the motion of your fingers. Begin with light pressure and progress to deeper pressure. Inquire about pressure sensitivity and adjust it to the client’s pain tolerance. The skin may blanch, or become pale or white, during pressure application. Continue moving the scar and the skin in all directions (superior, inferior, medial, lateral, clockwise, counterclockwise), because the new collagen cells in scar tissue are arranged haphazardly. Begin with light pressure and progress to deeper pressure. Inquire about pressure sensitivity and adjust it just below the client’s pain tolerance. Discontinue scar tissue massage and refer clients to their healthcare provider if the scar is redder, warmer, or more painful upon subsequent sessions. 66 To have the greatest effect on scar development, pain reduction and scar mobility, it is recommended to perform scar massage daily for at least the first six months after surgery. Reduce to three to four days a week if the scar is no longer painful and is mobile. This schedule will likely require you to teach the client how to massage their own scars, and

It is impossible to know everything about cultural competence, but much can be gained by a desire and continual commitment to education and engagement. This course provides a foundation to help you create a more inclusive professional practice.

perhaps a friend or family member if the scars are not in accessible areas. It is impossible to know everything about cultural competence, but much can be gained by a desire and continual commitment to education and engagement. This course provides a foundation to help you create a more inclusive professional practice. I would like to thank the following reviewers: Daniel Breaux and Dr. Michael T. Snowden . References 1. Jensen, E., Jones, N., Rabe, M., Pratt, B., Medina, L., Orozco, K., & Spell, L. (2021, August 12). 2020 population more racially and ethnically diverse than measured in 2010. United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/library/ stories/2021/08/2020-united-states-population more-racially-ethnically-diverse-than-2010. html#:~:text=Using%20the%20same%20 Diversity%20Index,2020%20from%2054.9%25%20 in%202010. 2. Norris, D. (2022, October 26). Census 2021: Canada’s cultural diversity continues to increase. Environics Analytics. https://environicsanalytics. com/en-ca/resources/blogs/ea-blog/2022/10/26/ census-2021-canadas-cultural-diversity-continues to-increase 3. The Culture Factor. (2024). Organisational culture: What you need to know. https://www. theculturefactor.com/organisational-culture 4. Tarabishy, A. (2020, March 3). Remembering Geert Hofstede. International Council for Small Business. https://icsb.org/ayman-tarabishy/remembering geert-hofstede/ 5. Ibid. 6. Hofstede, G. (2011). Dimensionalizing cultures: The Hofstede model in context, Online Readings in Psychology and Culture, 2(1).

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