ScarWork can help improve the appearance and reduce the pain in scars resulting from cancer treatment 

Scarwork is a ground-breaking new technique using light massage to reduce the pain and improve appearance of scars resulting from cancer treatment.

We are delighted that thanks to charity funding, ScarWork therapy, led by Dr Beverley De Valois PhD (pictured), can be offered to our patients at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre who have had surgery to treat cancer.  

Scarring is particularly problematic for patients having treatment for head and neck cancer, not only because they are usually very visible scars but also because there may also be functional and visual consequences of the scars on the arms or legs where the graft skin has been taken.

Patients often experience psychological and physiological difficulties due to the scarring.

How it works

Developed by Sharon Wheeler in the USA, ScarWork therapy reconfigures soft tissues using light massage. It helps to reduce the 'stiffness' of scars which causes pain and decreases mobility.

This light touch therapy differs from 'scar massage' therapy which uses firm pressure to attempt to break up scar tissue which can be uncomfortable and even painful for both practitioner and patient.  

ScarWork is a specialised therapy which involves 30 specific techniques of hands-on gentle manipulation of the scar and surrounding tissues. 

A breast cancer survivor with a mastectomy scar reported: "ScarWork has eased the tightness and reduced lumps/swelling around the scar... It has been well worth the time and effort."

We’re delighted to announce that Beverley de Valois has had her charity-funded ScarWork therapy research paper ‘An evaluation of a ScarWork service for cancer survivors experiencing adverse effects of surgery and/or radiotherapy’ accepted for publication in European Journal of Integrative Medicine. Beverley has also been granted a second presentation slot at the SCARS2021 conference in May.

Congratulations, Beverley! The ScarWork therapy has helped many patients being treated at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre.