What Happens at a Scar Therapy Appointment? | The Scar Expert

Wondering what to expect when you come to see me at The Scar Expert? 

Booking an appointment with someone new can feel a little daunting, particularly when you're coming to talk about something as personal as a scar.

Perhaps you've recently had a C-section or cancer surgery, or sustained a burn injury or been involved in a traumatic road traffic accident. Maybe you're several years on from an operation but your scar still feels tight, painful or restrictive. Or perhaps everything is healing well and you simply want some guidance on looking after your scar and supporting your recovery.

Whatever brings you to me, I want you to know that your appointment won't feel rushed or clinical.

You'll have time to talk, ask questions and understand what's happening with your scar, and we'll take everything at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

Here's what you can expect.

Booking your appointment

Appointments can be booked directly through my online booking system.

You'll be able to see my available appointments, choose the time that suits you and book it there and then, without having to go back and forth in messages trying to find a time that works for both of us.

You'll receive confirmation and appointment reminders by email, and your booking can also be managed through the link provided. If you have any difficulty with the online system, you're always welcome to contact me or my Practice Administrator, Valerie. 

When you arrive

There's ample free parking at the clinic, and I'll meet you personally at the main entrance and bring you upstairs to my treatment room.

One thing worth knowing before you arrive is that there is a flight of stairs to access the clinic, so please bear this in mind if stairs are currently difficult for you. If this is a problem for you, please contact me directly to make alternative arrangements.

My treatment room is a completely private space.

That's something that's particularly important to me.

Scar rehabilitation can involve areas of the body that feel very personal. You may have recently had a mastectomy or breast reconstruction. You may be recovering from a C-section that was a difficult or emotional experience. Or you may simply feel self-conscious about your scar.

So you will not be sitting in a busy waiting area or trying to explain what's happened to you while someone is talking on the other side of a curtain.

It's your appointment, your space and your time.

Prefer to watch on YouTube? Get familiar with my clinic space Watch Here.

We start by talking, not examining

When you first come in, we'll sit down and talk.

I want to understand what has brought you to me, what you've been through, what's bothering you now and, importantly, what you would like to get from treatment.

Sometimes that might be pain or tightness.

Sometimes it's a pulling sensation when you reach overhead, exercise or move in a particular direction.

Sometimes the scar itself is sensitive, numb, itchy, raised or uncomfortable.

And sometimes someone simply says:

“It just doesn't feel right

That's useful information too.

There's no rush to get straight onto the treatment plinth or uncover your scar. You'll have time to settle into the appointment, get to know me and ask questions first.

Then, we'll assess your scar

If you're happy to proceed with a physical assessment that day, I'll explain what I'd like to assess and why.

You remain in control of that process. We can do as much or as little as you're comfortable with.

I'll usually start by looking at the scar and the surrounding area. Depending on where your scar is, I may also look at how that part of your body moves and whether you've developed any compensations around it.

I'm interested in much more than what the scar looks like.

I'll consider things such as the type and stage of the scar, the quality of the skin and surrounding tissues, your movement, areas of restriction and how all of this relates to the symptoms you've described.

I'll then usually invite you onto the treatment plinth so that I can gently assess the scar and surrounding tissues with my hands.

This is always done gradually and with your feedback.

I'll check in with you as we go to make sure you're comfortable with the contact and that we're not provoking pain or sensations that feel troublesome for you.

You'll usually start treatment at your first appointment

Once we've completed the assessment, I'll explain what I've found and what I think will be most useful for you.

And where appropriate and if you're ready for it, we'll usually begin treatment that day.

There isn't one standard scar treatment because different scars need very different things.

For someone with a relatively new scar, our first steps might be as simple as making sure that scar is well hydrated, introducing comfortable touch, managing sensitivity or discussing an appropriate scar-care product.

For someone with a more mature or restrictive scar, I might begin hands-on scar mobilisation, work on movement and flexibility or incorporate LymphaTouch® negative-pressure therapy where appropriate. (I have a blog on Lymphatouch if you'd like to find out more)

For other scars, we might discuss silicone, compression or other scar-management options.

The important thing is that your treatment is based on your scar, your stage of healing and what you're trying to get back to doing.

You'll leave knowing what you can do yourself

I don't want you to leave the clinic feeling that nothing can happen until you come back to see me.

Most people will have something they can begin working on at home.

And sometimes it's surprisingly simple.

It might be:

• becoming more comfortable touching or engaging with your scar
• a de-sensitisation technique
• applying an appropriate moisturiser, oil or silicone product
• a simple scar-management technique
• one particular stretch or movement
• a short exercise to practise each day.

You also don't need to remember everything I tell you.

There's often a lot to take in at a first appointment, particularly if you've already been through a difficult period medically or emotionally.

I'll send you the relevant information afterwards. That might include written instructions, product details or links, photographs, exercise videos or occasionally a short video from me explaining what I'd like you to work on.

So you don't have to drive home thinking:

“What was that product Lorraine told me to buy?”

It's there for you to refer back to.

We'll make a plan together

Before you leave, we'll talk about what happens next.

That may include when I'd like to see you again, what we're hoping to achieve between appointments and roughly what I expect your rehabilitation to involve.

Scar rehabilitation isn't usually about endlessly attending appointments.

My aim is to give you the appropriate treatment when you need it, teach you what you can safely do yourself and review your progress at intervals that make sense for you and your scar.

I'm looking at more than just your scar

Although I now specialise in scar rehabilitation, my background spans two decades of musculoskeletal and pelvic health physiotherapy, and I'm also trained in Pilates.

That experience is incredibly useful in scar rehabilitation.

Because sometimes the scar isn't the whole story.

Your body may have adapted following surgery, injury or a period of reduced movement. You may have lost strength or mobility. You might be protecting one area without even realising you're doing it. Your scar might be affecting your digestive function or your pelvic floor. 

So I'm not simply looking at a line on your skin.

I'm looking at you, how your body is functioning around your scar and what you need to get back to.

That's ultimately what rehabilitation is about.

What if you can't travel to Donegal?

That's fair enough, I am tucked away up here in Donegal and it can be a substantial drive for some people! So, I do also offer online scar consultations.

There are some things I can assess more thoroughly when you're physically in the room with me, particularly when hands-on assessment or treatment is required.

However, online consultations can work extremely well for scar-care advice, product guidance, movement rehabilitation, self-management techniques and reviewing progress.

Some people travel to me for their initial assessment and then use online appointments for follow-up. Others work with me entirely online.

We can decide what makes the most sense for you.

A few practical things before your appointment

There are just a couple of things I'd like you to know before booking.

Babies and children

Unfortunately, I'm unable to accommodate babies or young children in the clinic.

There are other healthcare services operating from neighbouring rooms, including counselling and sleep services, so I need to maintain a quiet environment for everyone using the building.

It also means that your appointment can genuinely be time that's focused entirely on you and your recovery, without you having to divide your attention between yourself and your little one.

Cancellations

I operate a strict 24-hour cancellation policy.

Appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice, or appointments that aren't attended, are charged at the full appointment fee.

I appreciate that unexpected things can happen. However, I've reserved that clinical time specifically for you, and at short notice I'm generally unable to offer it to another person who may be waiting for an appointment.

If you need to change your appointment outside that period, you can do so through your booking link or contact me for help.

Payment and receipts

Payment can be made by card or cash, and you'll receive a receipt after your appointment.

If you have private health insurance, a hospital fund or Garda Medical Aid, keep your receipt and check directly with your provider whether your physiotherapy appointment is eligible for reimbursement under your particular policy.

Most importantly...

I want coming to see me to feel very different from being passed through a busy healthcare system.

Your appointment is private, personal and unrushed.

You'll have time to tell me what's happened.

You'll understand what I've found.

We'll start doing something useful where appropriate.

And you'll leave knowing what you can do next.

Because although I specialise in scars, my job isn't simply to treat a scar. It's to help you, the person behind it, to recover.

Ready to find out what your scar needs?

Whether your scar is relatively new or you've been living with it for years, you're welcome to book an assessment with me at The Scar Expert in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, or arrange an online consultation.

BOOK A SCAR ASSESSMENT →

Lorraine x
The Scar Expert
Specialist Scar Rehabilitation
Oncology • C-section • Surgical scars