Breakthrough Wellness

I love waking up early! Well not the early alarm but getting things knocked off my to do list and feeling accomplished early.

Well mostly just getting myself ready and being ready to go.

With two little kids that get crazy and need to go out and run, you need to be ready to go.

And I am working on spending more time creating adventures with my kids 💙🩵

Massage your scars and thank me later. 👇

Most people think that once a scar has healed, it's done.

But your body doesn't always agree.

This morning I worked with a client whose muscle testing kept leading us back to the exact same spot where she had surgery years ago.

When I muscle test, I'm looking at how your body is communicating. Are muscles activating the way they should? Are they able to stay strong, or is something interfering?

Every time we worked around her old surgical scar, those muscles immediately responded differently.

That's why I don't just ask where your pain is.

I ask about surgeries, scars, broken bones, stitches, accidents—your body's entire history matters.

Scars can change how your body moves, creating compensation patterns that show up somewhere completely different from the scar itself.

✨ Just because a scar is old doesn't mean your body has stopped protecting it.

So if you've had surgery, don't ignore your scar. Spend a few minutes gently massaging it regularly. It may be one of the missing pieces keeping your body from moving the way it should.

Have you ever been told to massage your scar after it healed? Let me know in the comments. 👇

Things to pay attention to before your body actually makes you pay attention to them: Bulging discs.

A client recently came in with a bulging disc, and instead of only focusing on his low back, I started asking a different question:

Why is the disc being stressed in the first place?

His body led me to a tight, dysfunctional core—especially on the right side. But that wasn't the whole story.

His jaw, neck, chest, and the front of his body were also incredibly tight. When the front of your body is constantly pulling you forward, your back has to work overtime to keep you upright. Over time, those compensation patterns can create extra stress where your body was never designed to handle it.

This is why I don't chase symptoms. I look for the dysfunction that's creating them.

Sometimes the pain is in your low back... But the reason it's there starts somewhere completely different.

That's why addressing the whole body—not just the painful area—can make such a difference.

Your body is always giving you clues. The question is: are you paying attention before it forces you to?

Have you ever been told your pain was coming from one place, only to find out the real problem was somewhere else?

If you're trying to get out of pain and your massage therapist hasn't asked about your scars, keep reading.

One of the things I frequently find when muscle testing clients is that old scars can create compensation patterns throughout the body.

I'm not just talking about major surgeries.

I'm talking about: • C-sections • Knee surgeries • Appendectomies • Gallbladder removal • Childhood injuries • Deep cuts that required stitches

The scar itself may not hurt.
In fact, you may not even think about it anymore.

But scars can change the way tissue moves, the way muscles fire, and the way your body stabilizes itself.

Over time, your body adapts.

Then it adapts again.

And again.

Eventually those compensations can show up as pain somewhere completely different from the original scar.

This is why I'm constantly asking clients about old injuries and scars. Your body remembers what happened, even when you don't.

One simple thing you can do?

Massage your scars!

Once a scar is fully healed, spending a few minutes regularly massaging the tissue can help improve mobility, decrease restrictions, and encourage the tissue to move more normally.

Most people stop thinking about a scar as soon as it closes up.

But your body may benefit from continued attention long after the scar has "healed."

That's why when someone comes to me with pain, I'm not just looking at where it hurts.

I'm looking for the dysfunction that's causing the body to compensate in the first place.

And sometimes that trail leads right back to a scar they've forgotten about.

Have an old scar? When's the last time you gave it any attention?

Did you know that in Ohio, massage therapy is subject to sales tax?

But there may be a way to save a little money on your sessions. 👇

If your doctor believes massage therapy is medically necessary for a specific condition or pain complaint, they can write a prescription for massage therapy. When your massage therapist keeps that prescription on file, your sessions may qualify for a sales tax exemption.

A quick note: this isn't just a note saying massage is okay.

It needs to be a proper prescription that outlines the medical need for massage therapy.

If you're a client receiving regular massage for pain relief, it may be worth asking your doctor about it. And if you're a massage therapist, don't forget to educate your clients—they might appreciate the savings!

Have questions about how this works? Send me a message.