"Working with scar tissue is like speaking a different language in the world of fascia. ScarWork starts with the surface layers and goes into the far reaches of the scar including work with any involved viscera. It often results in large whole body integration shifts along with trauma resolution, and nerve-impaired numbness usually resolves within a session."
- Sharon Wheeler
What is ScarWork?
ScarWork is the original technique developed by Sharon Wheeler, who began exploring scar tissue treatments in 1973 at the Esalen Institute. Sharon's work was inspired by her training with Ida Rolf, where she was guided to work intuitively through "artistic experiments" rather than strict anatomical reference. This intuitive, hands-on approach to tissue transformation led to the discovery of ScarWork.​​​
How does is work?
No two scars are alike, and because of this, ScarWork does not follow set protocols or formulas. Instead, it uses a variety of techniques, all tailored to the specific tissue at hand. The work is intuitive, guided by the body's response, and always adapted to the needs of the client. We listen to the body’s signals—pain, discomfort, and resistance—and adjust our pressure, techniques, and angle of touch accordingly. The goal is for the work to always feel soothing and beneficial for the client.
​
Scar tissue is highly responsive to touch. In just a short time, lumps, gaps, ridges, bumps, knots, and other irregularities in the tissue smooth out, integrating into the body’s three-dimensional fascial web. The touch used in ScarWork is light, non-invasive, and responsive—helping not just with the cosmetic appearance of scars but also addressing the deeper functional impacts they may have on the body.
​
Scar tissue can cause adhesions, where structures that would normally glide past each other become stuck. These adhesions can lead to dysfunction, affecting posture, movement, and energy levels, among other symptoms. The aim of ScarWork is to soften and transform these adhesions. Research has shown that this gentle touch approach creates changes at the cellular level, allowing deep, lasting shifts in the tissue.
​
Working on a scar doesn’t just affect the scar itself—it can trigger full-body releases and shifts. ScarWork has been known to bring up memories and emotions that may have been trapped in the tissue, and can help facilitate the release of stored trauma. Whether working on new or old scars, the technique encourages rapid healing and lasting improvements in the body’s overall function.
Integration
Each ScarWork session ends with a period of integration. The goal of this phase is to reconnect the scar tissue to the whole body. During integration, gentle CranioSacral holds and energy work are used to support and nurture the body, allowing the nervous system to adopt and integrate the changes made in the tissue.
While scars may appear localized, their effects can be felt throughout the entire body. Adhesions beneath the surface can impact the myofascial network, leading to compensatory patterns in movement, posture, and even energy flow. As part of the integration process, ScarWork may also include myofascial release in distant areas of the body to help release these compensatory patterns and restore balance to the whole system.
