How the Nervous System Responds to a Scar.
Welcome!
In this short session,
We're going to explore how your nervous system responds to scar tissue and why that response matters for both your physical and emotional healing.
You don't need to do anything right now other than find a comfortable place or position,
And just listen gently and allow your awareness to stay with your body as we explore together.
Let's begin with a breath.
Inhale and exhale slowly.
Breathe in,
Breathe out,
And feel yourself arrive.
When we experience an injury,
Surgery,
Or trauma,
Our nervous system works quickly to protect us.
It forms patterns of defense,
Like muscle guarding,
Numbness,
Or pain,
That help us survive and heal.
These responses are incredibly wise,
But sometimes,
Even long after a scar has formed,
The nervous system still behaves as if the area is under threat.
The body remembers what happened there.
This is often referred to as somatic memory,
Where the nervous system holds on to the echo of past pain,
Shock,
Or fear.
You might notice this as sensitivity when the scar is touched,
Or a pulling or tight feeling around it,
Or an emotional reaction like sadness,
Anger,
Or discomfort when you focus on that part of your body.
This is all a natural response,
And it doesn't mean something is wrong.
It just means something wants your attention and your care.
Scars often interrupt the normal communication between the skin,
The fascia,
And the nerves underneath,
As well as restrict blood flow and lymph drainage.
You may feel numbness,
Tingling,
Or even a strange lack of sensation,
Or the opposite,
A kind of hypersensitivity or burning.
This happens because the scar may have changed or disrupted the sensory nerves.
The brain isn't receiving the same signals as it once did,
So it adapts.
It might even shut off awareness of this part of the body altogether.
This disconnection,
Both physical and emotional,
Is something we can gently begin to restore through breath,
Touch,
And presence.
Because the scar may feel vulnerable,
Your nervous system might keep the surrounding area in a kind of protective tension,
Tight,
Guarded,
Or frozen.
This is part of the sympathetic nervous system,
The fight or flight response doing its job.
But over time,
The constant protection can create holding patterns in your posture,
Your breathing,
And even your emotions.
You might not feel safe fully inhabiting that area of your body.
By bringing gentle awareness and soothing touch to these places,
We invite the parasympathetic nervous system,
The part responsible for rest,
Digestion,
And healing,
To return,
And we create the conditions for the body to soften,
To feel safe again.
As scar tissue is worked with slowly and respectfully,
Sensation may return.
Nerves may begin to reconnect,
And with them,
Feelings may come too.
This might show up as tears,
Or a sudden emotion,
Or a deep sigh of relief.
You're not doing anything wrong.
In fact,
This is a sign of release.
It's your nervous system saying,
Yes,
It's okay to feel again.
So I invite you now to take a moment together,
Just for a very short inquiry into the body,
The nervous system,
And their relationship to the area of your scar.
Finding yourself in a comfortable position,
Making sure that you feel safe and warm,
And can take a few moments for some inner reflection.
And begin by connecting back to your breath,
Noticing your breath,
Noticing the expansion and contraction of the lungs,
The receiving and letting go.
If comfortable,
You could close your eyes or hold a soft gaze.
And I invite you to place one or both hands either on or near a scar,
Or wherever it feels comfortable.
No need to press,
Just connect.
And let your hands say,
You are safe now.
Breathe here.
Breathe in and out.
Let your nervous system know that you're listening,
That you're not rushing,
That you're willing to feel one breath at a time.
You're doing such important work.
Notice what might bubble up for you,
An emotion,
A feeling,
Mental chatter of some sort,
And allow whatever is there to be there.
Just observe it with curiosity.
This will give you good insight on what your deeper beliefs around the scar might be.
Is there a story attached?
Memories?
Notice what other sensation may begin to stir in other parts of your body.
It would be very normal to feel an increase in tension body-wide if the cause of the scar was an emotional event.
Repeat to your body,
You are safe now,
Either out loud or internally.
If tension has increased,
Focus on your breath again,
Expand and inhale,
Release and exhale,
Slowly coming back to your center.
Notice how it may feel just bringing attention to this area of the body.
Reconnecting and giving some sort of love and kindness here goes a long way.
Now,
Place one hand on your heart while leaving one in the area or on the scar,
And imagine a loving light flowing from the heart directly to the area of the scar.
Let the light warm and expand,
Releasing tension or tightness here.
Breathe deeply and keep noticing without judgment what comes up for you.
You are safe.
You are safe.
You are safe.
Stay in this place as long as you need.
And when you're ready,
You can gently bring yourself back to the room.
Open your eyes if they were closed and take a moment of stillness.
Notice any shifts in your thoughts or feelings around the area of the body the scar is.
Or about the scar itself.
And offer yourself some love and kindness.
Breathe deeply and feel your connection with your body.
Thank you for taking the time to explore and deeply connect with your whole being today.
You are perfect,
Whole and complete,
Exactly as you are.
And learning to love and accept all of you is the first step to self-empowerment and the life you desire.
Take good care,
My friends.
I wish you well in your future explorations.
