APR
8th
8th
Pain is often a sign that you are ill (e.g. appendicitis), or that an area of your body is injured (e.g. broken arm). However, sometimes people have pain even though an injury or illness has fully healed up.
An understanding of the healing process can help us to work out the best way to treat healing or healed tissue. It can also help us to see some of the reasons why we may feel stiffness even years after injury/operations.
Unlike a machine the human body can heal itself. With few exceptions every kind of tissue heals in the same way e.g. bone heals by making new bone, ligaments/muscles/skin heal with gristle (scar tissue).
Healing begins immediately after as injury has taken place, and there are several different stages of healing.
1) Bleeding - - this stage lasts about 10 minutes. Blood vessels are damaged whenever tissue is damaged. Bleeding soon stops as the blood clots. The blood can spread out under the skin (i.e. forms a bruise).
2) Inflammation and Swelling - this stage lasts up to 10 days. Within 10 mins of injury inflammation begins. The blood supply to the area is increased and chemicals are released, causing the area to go red and feel hot. At the same time a fluid called serum (which comes from the blood) builds up. Serum is a thick, sticky, yellow fluid which contains protein. This protein will eventually form scar tissue.
The body tends to produce so much serum that it causes swelling e.g. sprained ankle. As serum is sticky, it binds the tissues in the injured area so that they cannot move easily and feel stiff.
Consequently, during this stage of healing it is important to gently move the area to minimise stiffness and swelling, and to help the serum to be absorbed once it has done its job. Movement can be started very gently, with frequent rest periods, and gradually built up.
3) Repair - begins 2-3 days after injury and continues for 3 months. The protein in the serum joins together to form scar tissue, which repairs the gaps left by the injury. From 3 weeks after the injury the scar tissue begins to contract and tighten. It is therefore important to stretch the healing tissue to increase its elasticity and strength.
Unfortunately, healthy tissue can become glued to the serum making the area stiff and tight so it is important to keep moving.
4) Remodelling - 3 months onwards. The scar tissue changes, for example a scar on the skin turns from purple to white. Movement of the area helps the process of remodelling and helps to stretch and strengthen the scar tissue.
5) Contraction - starts at 2 months and is ongoing
The scar tissue tightens and shortens. It continues to occur as the years go by.
However, it is never too late to stretch the scar tissue and make it more flexible and supple.
In summary: Most tissues heal by making scar tissue, and this process is complete by 3 months. There is usually some sensitivity left within the tissues. However, healed but scarred tissue can become less sensitive once it is stronger and more elastic.
Different tissues in the body heal at different rates. It depends on the site and size of the injury, the blood and nerve supply to the tissue and the age of the person.
So, if your body has healed up properly, there is no need to think it is damaged or fragile. Gentle exercises and getting back to everyday activities (but pacing it) is good for you.
