top Questions About Scars

1: What causes scar tissue to become painful, even years later?

A: Scar tissue can become painful long after a wound heals due to trapped nerve fibers, chronic inflammation, and restricted movement—all of which are common in hypertrophic or contracture scars. While home massage, silicone, and topical creams offer relief, targeted therapies like MSTR® (McLoughlin Scar Tissue Release®) are designed to release adhesions, tethered nerves and connective tissues to help restore mobility—often with faster results than general approaches.

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2. Can old scars be flattened or softened?

A: Yes, even older scars—whether hypertrophic, keloid, or contracture—can be softened or flattened over time. Techniques like silicone gel gels/sheets, corticosteroid injections, cryotherapy, and laser therapy are commonly used. But for many people, combining these with specialized manual therapies like MSTR® enhances outcomes: it helps remodel collagen fibers, reduce scarring, and promote smoother, more flexible tissue.

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3. Does massage help reduce scar tissue?

A: It seems so - as it has been used for a long time to assist in the effects of scarring. MSTR® is a very targeted approach to the direct treatment of scars and adhesions. MSTR® research, using ultrasound and myotonometry, seems to back this up. Check the MSTR® Research page.

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4. What’s the difference between hypertrophic scars and keloids?

A: Hypertrophic scars are raised and firm but stay within the wound boundary, often improving over 1–2 years. Keloids, by contrast, grow beyond the original injury, can be painful or itchy, and may not regress without intervention. While silicone sheets, pressure therapy, or steroid injections can help, many clients find that MSTR®, when paired with these modalities, offers superior control over scar texture and height by encouraging optimal collagen alignment and reducing fibrotic tension.

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5. Can scar tissue restrict movement—and how can it be treated?

A: Yes—especially contracture scars (e.g. burns, surgical sites) may adhere to underlying tissues, limiting range of motion and causing pain. Beyond massage and silicone, manual release therapies are essential. MSTR® targets those deep adhesions to gently free movement, restore elasticity, and prevent long-term tightness more effectively than traditional massage alone.

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6. Does McLoughlin Scar Tissue Release® (MSTR®) help with emotional trauma from scars?

A: Although emotional and psychological problems from the effects of scarring aren't evident in everyone, where negative emotions are felt by the patient MSTR® can really help to release thiese trapped and stored emotions. We find that when the texture and feeling of the scar changes, using MSTR® and normal feeling is restored to the scar and surrounding areas, then negative emotions also reduce accordingly. This can happen quite quickly - even within the treatment session.

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6. Where can I find a qualified MSTR® practitioner in my area?
A: That's easy. Go to the Practitioner list on this page and select your country and area. Alternatively, use the Map on the same page to zoom into the map. You'll find the practitioner name, email and town/city.  https://www.mcloughlin-scar-release.com/find-a-practitioner

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7. Is McLoughlin Scar Tissue Release® (MSTR®) suitable for scars from surgery?

A: Yes - absolutely! It's the main reason MSTR® was created by Alastair McLoughlin . Surgical scars as well as scars from traumatic injury also respond well to MSTR®. 

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8. How many sessions of MSTR® treatment will I need?

A: This is difficult to answer and there are many variables to consider: your age, extent and depth of tissue injury, and any additional complications that you may have experienced during the healing process, such as infection. Often, non complex cases of scarring resolve in around three sessions, although improvements will likely be evident after your first session of MSTR®.  Consult with your MSTR® practitioner for a more detailed answer to this type of question. You'll find your nearest MSTR® practitoner HERE.

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9: How long does a McLoughlin Scar Tissue Release session take?

A: This varies depending upon the nature and complexity of your case. Multiple scar sites usually need multiple sessions to address each one effectively. A typical MSTR® session involves a detailed consultation and evaluation of your scars. Do they require treatment? Not all scars do! In what way is the scar affecting you? It may be in ways you hadn't realised, or in ways that you had gotten used to over time but were nevertheless involved in your presenting problem. In the first instance, generally allow one hour or so for the whole process of consultation, evaluation and treatment. Future sessions may be shorter. Hands-on time is minimal though. MSTR® is not a prolonged, and lengthy treatment. It is quick and effective - even on old scars.

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10: What does MSTR® feel like? Will it hurt?​

A: Patients often report that MSTR® has been a pleasant experience. MSTR® is not forceful or invasive - in fact some clients can almost fall asleep during the session. In some cases, pateints have experienced a feeling little 'needles' under their skin as MSTR® is performed. This feeling is somply the collagen in the scar being gently released. The feeling is momentary and soon passes as the collagen release continues. Pateints don't often experience this feeling in further sessions - but it can happen in that first session.

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If you still have an unaswered question, CONTACT US.

 

To learn more or to find treatment for your scars, click the links below...