For many Moms recovering from a Cesarean birth, the scar is more than just a physical mark—it's a reminder of one of the most powerful experiences of their life. But as your body heals, it's essential to give your scar the attention it needs to recover well and support your long-term pelvic health, core strength, and comfort.
We will walk through how and when to start working with your C-section scar through desensitization and mobilization—two techniques that can help reduce discomfort, improve tissue mobility, and reconnect you with your core. Whether you’re 6 weeks or 6 years postpartum, it’s never too late to start.
Why C-Section Scar Care Matters:
After a C-section, your body has to heal through multiple layers of tissue, not just the skin. That includes fascia, muscle, and the uterus. As these tissues heal, adhesions (stuck areas of scar tissue) can form.
These adhesions can limit mobility, cause pain or discomfort, and even contribute to issues like lower back pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, or difficulty fully activating your core muscles.
Scars also interrupt your bodies sensation as nerves can be cut during a c-section causing numbness or even sensations of burning or itchiness as your nerves are having to heal too which will take time.
Scar care isn't just about how it looks—it's about how it feels and how your body moves.
Addressing scar tissue can:
- Improve comfort with clothing, touch, and intimacy
- Reduce sensitivity, itching, or pulling
- Support better posture and movement
- Help you engage your deep core muscles more effectively
- Enhance pelvic floor and abdominal coordination
When Can I Start Scar Work?
You can usually begin gentle desensitization immediately postpartum as long as we are staying above and below the incision and not directly on the incision. Once your incision is fully closed and you’ve been cleared by your provider then we can start working more directly on the c-section.
Scar mobilization (more hands-on movement and massage techniques) can begin after the scar has fully healed and closed, usually around 6 to 8 weeks postpartum—but always check with your OB, midwife, or pelvic floor physical therapist before starting.
If you’re months or years postpartum, don’t worry—it’s still absolutely worth doing this work!
Step 1: Scar Desensitization
Desensitization is all about helping your nervous system get comfortable with touch again and help nerves grow back without oversensitivity. It’s common for the scar area to feel numb, overly sensitive, or even itchy. This is your body’s way of protecting a healing area—but once healed, we want to reintroduce safe sensation.
Why this matters:
- Helps your brain “reconnect” with the area
- Reduces irritation from clothing or pressure
- Prepares the tissue for deeper mobilization later on
How to do it?
Start by gently exploring the skin above and below the scar when you are in your first 6 weeks postpartum or if you are just beginning this for the first time, then gradually work your way directly over the scar after 6-8 weeks as the incision has healed and you feel ready.
Try the following for 1–2 minutes a day:
- Fingertip touch: lightly trace your fingers in circles, lines, or taps
- Cotton ball/Q-tip: glide over and around the scar
- Soft fabric or towel: use different textures for variety
- Temperature play: alternate between a warm and cool washcloth
Tips:
- Do this lying down in a comfortable position with knees bent
- Breathe slowly and stay relaxed
- Use a mirror if the area feels hard to see or reach
- If it feels emotionally hard, go slow—emotions can live in this area too
Step 2: Scar Mobilization
Once your scar is healed and desensitized, you can begin working on mobilization. This helps the tissues slide and glide better, reducing restrictions and improving movement in the belly, hips, and pelvis. Make sure you don’t do this until 6-8 weeks postpartum and you are cleared that your incision has fully healed.
Why this matters?
- Breaks up adhesions and stuck areas
- Restores healthy blood flow and tissue movement
- Supports deep core and pelvic floor function
How to do it?
Start gently. You don’t need to press hard to make a difference. Use clean hands, and consider applying a small amount of unscented lotion or oil for glide (optional). Again, start above and below the incision and then progress to directly on the incision as tolerated.
Try these techniques:
Skin Rolling:
- Gently pinch the skin between your fingers and roll it up and down, side to side
- Work along the length of the scar and around it
Cross-Friction Massage:
- Place two fingers on the scar and move the tissue side to side or up and down
- Try small circular motions as well
Anchor and Stretch:
- Place one hand on one end of the scar to “anchor” the skin
- Use the other hand to gently stretch the skin in the opposite direction
Lift and Wiggle:
- Lift the scar gently off the deeper tissues and move it around slowly
Tips:
- Start with just 2–5 minutes, 3–4 times a week
- You may feel tenderness, but you should never feel sharp pain
- Don’t force anything—let your body guide the depth and pressure
What to Watch For
It’s normal to feel a little weird or sensitive when you start. But here’s what to keep in mind:
Totally normal:
- Mild tenderness
- Emotions coming up (this area holds a lot of energy and memory!)
- Slight redness afterward
- Sensitivity or soreness the night or day after.
Stop and check with your provider if you notice:
Sharp pain or burning
Oozing, bleeding, or open areas
Swelling or significant redness that doesn’t go away
How Often Should You Do Scar Work?
You don’t have to spend a ton of time—consistency beats intensity.
Desensitization: 1–2x daily for 1–2 minutes
Mobilization: 3–4x per week for 3–5 minutes
Think of it as brushing your teeth—simple daily care that makes a big difference over time.
Progressions Over Time
As the scar becomes more mobile and less sensitive, you can start adding movement and functional strength to help reintegrate the area into your body’s full system.
Try adding:
- Diaphragmatic breathing with gentle core engagement
- Pelvic tilts and cat-cow stretches
- Walking or gentle yoga with mindful core engagement
- Soft tissue tools like silicone cups or massage balls (guided by a provider)
If you’re a year or more postpartum and have never worked on your scar, it’s still beneficial. It’s never too late to restore connection.
Final Thoughts: Your Scar Deserves Care
C-section recovery doesn’t end when your incision is closed. Taking time to work on scar desensitization and mobilization can have a huge impact—not just on how your belly looks, but how your body feels and functions long-term.
Your scar is a symbol of strength. It tells the story of birth, recovery, and resilience. With gentle, intentional care, you can reduce discomfort, improve movement, and reconnect with your core again.
You deserve to feel strong, supported, and at home in your body—scar and all.
Ready to begin? Start with just 2 minutes today. Small steps add up to big changes.
When to Seek Extra Support
Sometimes you need more than at-home work—and that’s completely okay.
Consider seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist if:
- Your scar is raised, thick, or feels stuck
- You feel pulling, pain, or numbness when you move
- You feel disconnected from your core
- You notice leaking, heaviness, or pelvic floor issues
- A pelvic PT can do hands-on scar work, teach you deeper mobilization techniques, and help you rebuild strength and coordination in your core and pelvic floor.
