Understanding Scars

Essential training about scar tissue

Anatomy and physiology training does not usually provide the physical therapist or exercise professional with information on scar tissue, adhesions and how they impact the body. By understanding scars, you can avoid injuring your clients and provide a wealth of ways to help promote optimal recovery after a surgery or trauma.

Learn how and why scar tissue becomes pathological for some people, causing dysfunction and ongoing symptoms
Discover assessments for scar tissue, common symptoms and the global impact on the body through our fascial tensegrity network
Learn how to avoid injuring a patient after an injury, an emergency or planned surgery
Includes a wealth of patient self-care, exercise considerations and physical therapy treatment ideas to improve scars

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Understanding Scars course lessons

1

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY: FREE VIDEO
- Understanding Scars Course Overview (free preview video)
  FREE PREVIEW
2

How to get the most out of this course
- Welcome to the Course from Emma Holly and Hannah Poulton
- Try The Knowledge Check Questions
- How to download the lesson handouts
3

Patient care after surgery or trauma: Supporting recovery
- Patient Care Lesson Handout (Please download and save a copy)
- Patient Care Lesson: Supporting document with images and space for learner notes
- Patient Care Introduction
- Patient History and Treatment Planning
- Patient History and Treatment Planning Knowledge Check
- Emotions, Pain and Daily Living
- Emotions, Pain and Daily Living Knowledge Check
- Patient Care Recommendations and Interventions 1
- Patient Care Recommendations and Interventions Knowledge Check (1)
- Recommendations and Interventions 2
- Patient Care Recommendations and Interventions Knowledge Check (2)
- Recommendations and Interventions 3
- Patient Care Recommendations and Interventions Knowledge Check (3)
- Bonus Interview: Scar Research with Peter Moortgat, Oscare
- Bonus: A look at Chronic Pain and Trauma with Dr Ute Liersch Interview
- Bonus Interview with Marianne Dunne from Jobskin discussing their compression scar products
4

Wound healing: Permanent changes to the tissues
- Wound Healing Handout (Please download a copy now)
- Wound Healing Lesson: Supporting document with images and space for learner notes
- Wound Healing Introduction
- Phases of Wound Healing
- Phases of Wound Healing Knowledge Check
- Cellular Activity in Wound Healing
- Cellular Activity in Wound Healing Knowledge Check
- Acute vs Chronic Wound Healing
- Acute vs Chronic Wound Healing Knowledge Check
- Wound Healing Recommendations and Interventions 1
- Recommendations and Interventions Knowledge Check (1)
- Wound Healing Recommendations and Interventions 2
- Recommendations and Interventions Knowledge Check (2)
- Bonus: Chronic Wound Healing and Innovative Technology with Tami Siewinski
- Bonus LymphaTouch Negative Pressure Tool Interview with Dominic Smith
5

Scars & adhesions: What exercise and physical therapists need to know
- Scars and Adhesions Handout (Please download and save a copy)
- Scars and Adhesions Lesson: Supporting document with images and space for learner notes
- Scars and Adhesions Introduction
- Scar Classifications
- Scar Classifications Knowledge Check
- Burns
- Burn Knowledge Check
- Adhesions and Fibrosis
- Adhesions Knowledge Check
- Assessment and Treatment Approaches
- Scar Assessment and Treatment Approaches Knowledge Check
- Recommendations and Interventions 1
- Recommendations and Interventions (1) Knowledge Check
- Recommendations & Interventions 2
- Recommendations and Interventions (2) Knowledge Check
- Recommendations & Interventions 3
- Recommendations and Interventions (3) Knowledge Check
- Bonus Interview: Evert Nugteren and Linda Schep Introduce BAP-Medical Scar Care Products
- Bonus Interview: Adam Withey talks about Pressure Therapy products from Juzo UK
- Bonus Interview: Deep Oscillation Device with Julie Soroczyn from PhysioPod UK and Christine Talbot
6

Skin and fascia: The impact of scarring from a local and systemic perspective
- Skin and Fascia Lesson Handout (Please download and save a copy)
- Skin and Fascia Lesson: Supporting document with images and space for learner notes
- Skin and Fascia Introduction
- Epidermis
- Epidermis Knowledge Check
- Dermis
- Dermis Knowledge Check
- Hypodermis
- Hypodermis Knowledge Check
- Fascia Part One
- Fascia Part One Knowledge Check
- Fascia Part Two
- Fascia Part Two Knowledge Check
- Sensory Function
- Sensory Function Knowledge Check
- Recommendations and Interventions (1)
- Recommendations and Interventions (1) Knowledge Check
- Recommendations and Interventions (2)
- Recommendations and Interventions (2) Knowledge Check
- Bonus Skin Camouflage Interview with Vanessa Jane Davies
- Bonus Fascia Interview with Julian Baker, Functional Fascia
- Bonus Interview on Red Light Therapy with Ruth Milner, Danetre Health Products
7

Muscles, tendons and ligaments: Surgery and rehabilitation
- Muscles Tendons and Ligaments Lesson Handout (Please download and save a copy)
- Muscles, Tendons and Ligaments: Supporting document with images and space for learner notes
- Introduction to Muscles, Tendons and Ligaments
- Muscle Injury and Repair
- Muscles Injury and Repair Knowledge Check
- Surgical Repair Techniques
- Surgical Techniques Knowledge Check
- Muscles, Tendons and Ligaments Recommendations and Interventions 1
- Muscles, Tendons and Ligaments Recommendations and Interventions Knowledge Check (1)
- Muscles Tendons and Ligaments Recommendations and Interventions 2
- Muscles, Tendons and Ligaments Recommendations and Interventions Knowledge Check (2)
- Muscles Tendons and Ligaments Recommendations and Interventions 3
- Muscles, Tendons and Ligaments Recommendations and Interventions Knowledge Check (3)
- Bonus Interview: Kinesiology Taping with Daniel Lawrence from Rock Tape and Practical Tips from Hannah Poulton
- Bonus Interview: Daniel Lawrence and Emma Holly talk about IASTM
8

Skeletal system: Trauma and repair
- Skeletal System Handout (please download and save a copy)
- Skeletal System Lesson: Supporting document with images and space for learner notes
- Introduction to The Skeletal System
- Skeletal System Common Complications
- Skeletal System Common Complications Knowledge Check
- Skeletal System: Trauma
- Skeletal Trauma Knowledge Check
- Skeletal System Recommendations and Interventions 1
- Skeletal System Recommendations and Interventions (1) Knowledge Check
- Skeletal System Recommendations and Interventions 2
- Skeletal System Recommendations and Interventions (2) Knowledge Check
- Bonus Material: A Personal Account of Injury and Recovery
- Bonus Interview: Paul Donnelley and Angela Botha Talk About TECAR Therapy
9

Infection: Impacting smooth wound healing and scar formation
- Infection Lesson Supporting Document 2022 (please download and save a copy)
- Infection Introduction
- Infection and Wound Healing: How will scarring results change?
- Infection in Wound Healing Knowledge Check
- Infection after Surgery or Trauma: What do you need to know?
- Infection after Surgery or Trauma Knowledge Check
- Serious Infection in Trauma and Surgery Patients
- Serious Infection After Trauma or Surgery Quiz (new 2022)
- Infection and Necrosis: Damage to tissue quality
- Infection and Necrosis Knowledge Check
- Infection Recommendations and Interventions (1)
- Infection Recommendations and Interventions Knowledge Check (1)
- Infection Recommendations and Interventions 2
- Infection Recommendations and Interventions Knowledge Check (2)
- Bonus: Interview Discussing Manuka Honey in Wound Care with Medihoney
- Bonus Interview: A look at the Juzo low level laser device with Adam Withey
- Bonus Interview: Red Light Therapy with Ruth Milner at Danetre Health Products
10

A final message from your tutors
- A Final Message From Your Tutors - Plus Some Bloopers

Patient care after surgery or trauma: Supporting recovery

In this first module, we explore the essential foundations of Patient care; history and treatment planning, emotions, pain and daily living. Plus recommendations and interventions. Bonus interviews: Scar Research with Peter Moortgat, Oscare, Chronic Pain and Trauma with Dr Ute Liersch, Marianne Dunne from Jobskin scar compression

Learn how scars are created and understand scar healing stages

We cover wound healing: Permanent changes to the tissues. Phases of wound healing, cellular activity, acute vs chronic wound healing. Plus recommendations and interventions for wound healing and a bonus interviews with Tami Siewinski on Chronic Wound Healing and Innovative Technology and Dominic Smith discussing LymphaTouch Negative Pressure Tool

Emma Holly teaching the stages of scar healing

Scars & adhesions: What exercise and physical therapists need to know

Introduction to Scars and Adhesions , scar classifications, burns, adhesions and fibrosis. Plus recommendations and interventions and a bonus interviews with BAP-medical Scar Care products, Juzo UK Scar Pressure therapy manufacturers and PhysioPod

demonstration of post surgery scar therapy

Skin and fascia: The impact of scarring from a local and systemic perspective

In this module, we cover the Epidermis, Dermis, Hypodermis and Fascia. We also explore sensory function and discuss recommendations and interventions. Bonus Skin Camouflage Interview with Vanessa Jane Davies and watch our interview with Julian Baker of Functional Fascia.

Emma holly scar specialist on how scars affect mobility

Muscles, tendons and ligaments: Surgery and rehabilitation

In this module we look at the role of Muscles, Tendons and Ligaments. We cover Muscle Injury and Repair and Surgical Repair Techniques. We offer recommendations and interventions with bonus content covering Kinesiology Taping with Daniel Lawrence from Rock Tape and Practical Tips from Senior Physiotherapist Hannah Poulton and Emma Holly discusses IASTM with Daniel Lawrence

Skeletal system: Trauma and repair

Introduction to the skeletal system, common complications and skeletal system trauma. Plus recommendations, interventions and a bonus video: A personal account of injury and recovery.

How scarring effects the sketetal system with Emma Holly

Infection: Impacting smooth wound healing and scar formation

In this last module, we explore the impact of infection on scar formation and key things you need to know. We explore Serious Infection in Trauma and Surgery Patients as well as Necrosis damage to tissue quality. We look at key recommendations and interventions. Bonus content: Discussing Manuka Honey in Wound Care with Medihoney, A look at the Juzo low-level laser device with Adam Withey.

Downloadable learning resources

Each module is supported by downloadable learning resources for you to print, make notes on and reference.

Understanding Scars PDF learning resources

Bonus interviews from Scar Industry Experts

We've included exclusive interviews with scar experts from across the industry including Rock Tape, experts on Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM), Pressure Therapy products from Juzo UK as well as talks on Chronic Pain and Trauma with Dr Ute Liersch, Scar Research with Peter Moortgat, Oscare, Fascia Interview with Julian Baker of Functional Fascia and much much more.

Emma Holly interviews scar industry experts

Your investment £349

Buy now and get instant access to the Understanding Scars course and all bonus material for 12-months plus the downloadable resources are yours to keep forever

BUY NOW

Essential theory from UK's leading scar therapy trainer

Be able to support your clients during early recovery or with mature scars

Maximise Your Time

You need bite-size training that is easy to fit around a busy schedule. We understand making time to study is hard, so all the key lesson videos are under 20 minutes each. You will have 12 months to complete the course, but can cover the material within a week if you prefer to get engrossed into studying.
Recommendations and Interventions

You will be given 'Recommendations and Interventions' for each lesson. These relate the lesson theory into practical context, highlighting important considerations for physical therapy treatment or exercise and movement programs. Use these recommendations to maximise results when working with your clients.
Expert Interviews

Global experts in the fields of wound care, scarring, fascia, special mechanical devices and patient care all share their knowledge on topics relevant to you. Each lesson in this course includes bonus material relevant to the lesson topic.

Reviews from learners

Brilliant Course!

Joani St Cliere

Thank you for this course! I learned so much and feel so much better equipped to deal with patients with scars thanks to the informative content, and easy to...

Thank you for this course! I learned so much and feel so much better equipped to deal with patients with scars thanks to the informative content, and easy to understand way that you delivered this course - would definitely sign up for more courses!

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Understanding Scars - Thoroughly Recommend!

Christopher Swallow

Understanding Scars is a comprehensive online course integrating a multitude of resources alongside interactive and thought provoking topical videos. These i...

Understanding Scars is a comprehensive online course integrating a multitude of resources alongside interactive and thought provoking topical videos. These include: current evidence based research; case reports, images and supporting documentation to challenge and enhance therapists knowledge in relation to scar work and application in various settings. I thoroughly recommend to any therapist looking to further their interest or diversity their practice.

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Enjoyable and full of Information - great learning

judith johnson

Whoo Hoo - a completed Understanding Scars Course with Emma Holly and Hannah Poulton. What a great course - very thorough revision for some knowledge that...

Whoo Hoo - a completed Understanding Scars Course with Emma Holly and Hannah Poulton. What a great course - very thorough revision for some knowledge that I had from my prior training as an Occupatiinal Therapist and training in ScarWork with Emma. However, a lot of this information was new to me and gives me more insight into ways in which to help my clients. The course was structured in short videos with self assessment at each stage - and this was really helpful to realise whether the information had sunk in. Lots of bonus videos gave different perspectives on working with and understanding the team work that is necessary to best help clients. Many thanks to Emma Holly and Hannah Poulton for all their work in putting this course together. It certainly fills in gaps in my knowledge and also helps me remember what was learnt many moons ago and was somewhat forgotten. And I even got a certificate .....

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Outstanding

jane Rackham

Wow this course did not disappoint. Jam packed with so much. It took me a long time to complete and i went over alot of it before moving on to the next secti...

Wow this course did not disappoint. Jam packed with so much. It took me a long time to complete and i went over alot of it before moving on to the next sections. The great thing about this course is you can revisit all of it when you need to. Bonus information and interviews very relevant to the course. Highly recommend

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Great Course!

Marie Reynolds

Loved this course! Broken down into such informative modules from the surface of the skin to the deep layers and what is involved and impacted with injury, t...

Loved this course! Broken down into such informative modules from the surface of the skin to the deep layers and what is involved and impacted with injury, trauma and adhesions. Thank you ladies for a great course!

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Totally fantastic course! A must for any Movement, Exerci...

Claire Stone

I am so thrilled to have completed the 'Understanding Scars' Online Course created by Emma Holly and Hannah Poulton. This is an incredible course! It is ...

I am so thrilled to have completed the 'Understanding Scars' Online Course created by Emma Holly and Hannah Poulton. This is an incredible course! It is what I have been waiting for to deepen my knowledge of scars following on from previous training in ScarWork with Emma. It is beautifully orchestrated, delivered with passion and the extremely in depth information is imparted with great clarity to the learner. This course includes short video lessons with assessments to embed your learning, fantastic visuals and the 'bonus' interviews are a revelation. This adds another dimension to the learning. To hear from people from all sorts of different modalities, experts in their fields. To learn about different products and technological advances and mechanical equipment associated with helping in the world of Scar healing and patient care. These were just phenomenal and made this course exceptional. They were all so good and fascinating to listen to. My personal favourite was Tami Siewnski from Medtech Solutions group, I could have listened to her all day! The other aspect of this course that was wonderful to witness was the discussion of collaborations to assist in helping our clients achieve the best results for their recovery. It was so refreshing to fully appreciate the benefits of working alongside other modalities in a shared practice. I personally feel so much more prepared and informed to help my future ScarWork clients! I am so grateful to Emma Holly and Hannah Poulton for all their hard work, passion, knowledge and creativity in putting this course together. I have loved learning from you both. It has been a very inspirational piece of teaching. Thank you both!

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Understanding Scars in 2021

Cherie Howe

As a USA LMT - (licensed massage therapist), for the past 36 years I’ve been focused on pre and post surgery and injury recovery, especially working with s...

As a USA LMT - (licensed massage therapist), for the past 36 years I’ve been focused on pre and post surgery and injury recovery, especially working with scars for people and horses, working with a variety of issues from post mastectomy tethering to phantom limb nerve pain. I usually return to the states to train in courses that the WA. ST. DOH will accept for continuing education. I was so thrilled to find Emma Holly and Hannah Poulton’s Understanding Scars. In 2021 there is so much more information available in A and P on scars, in the emerging technology sector and in techniques & treatments. Between them, Emma and Hannah have done a thoroughly thoughtful, inspiring, and entertaining educational course. Each module is clear and the information is constantly concise. The extra reading links are a real bonus. The interviews are fascinating. There hasn’t been anything like this in terms of depth, breadth and quality available on Scar in the UK, I loved how excited they got talking about it, you can see they really enjoy helping people. I’m so very pleased I did it, and I can highly recommend it. I’ll be signing up for ScarWorks and other courses, too. Emma and Hannah, I really can’t thank you enough. Congratulations on a year incredibly well spent.

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Incredible course

Anne McElnay

What a great course full of so much information, beautifully delivered by two very charismatic ladies who are in no doubt very passionate about this topic. I...

What a great course full of so much information, beautifully delivered by two very charismatic ladies who are in no doubt very passionate about this topic. I really appreciated the fascial content which fits very well into my past studies and relevant as to how I run my clinic. Thank you

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Great course!

Mary Dalgleish

I really enjoyed this online course that I could do at my own pace. It has a good balance of short video lessons, bonus videos from experts and assessments w...

I really enjoyed this online course that I could do at my own pace. It has a good balance of short video lessons, bonus videos from experts and assessments which kept me on my toes! Emma and Hannah are obviously passionate about ScarWork and patient care and shared their vast knowledge and experience with great enthusiasm. Well done to both of you!

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A wonderfully in-depth course

Amy Peak

Wow!! There was so much information in this course but all of it useful and can be put in to practice. Emma and Hannah did amazing work to put this togethe...

Wow!! There was so much information in this course but all of it useful and can be put in to practice. Emma and Hannah did amazing work to put this together in a way that kept me engaged.

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An excellent course giving the background to the practica...

Martin Kingston McCloghry

Having learned practical techniques for ScarWork I still felt a lack of confidence in practicing them. This course has given me a structured pathway looking ...

Having learned practical techniques for ScarWork I still felt a lack of confidence in practicing them. This course has given me a structured pathway looking at pathological scarring and when to treat and when to refer on. I feel a lot more confident now. Interestingly I have had a number of enquiries, and instantly knew how to approach the complex issues I was presented. The learning was well structured with good presentations. It took me through a logical process. I initially skimmed over the bonus interviews with allied professionals, because I didn't want to interrupt the flow, but on going back to them later, they helped deepen my knowledge and put things in context. My only regret is that after 1 year I will lose access to this excellent course and won't be able to revisit! I should have completed it quicker!

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Dana Allen

Loved it! There were a lot of questions I had about how scars formed when I took the ScarWork course with Emma. Now I have the answers. This course is tho...

Loved it! There were a lot of questions I had about how scars formed when I took the ScarWork course with Emma. Now I have the answers. This course is thorough and beautifully presented and easy to understand. Thanks, Emma and Hannah!

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Essential scar knowledge with practical examples

We have spent almost a year developing and preparing the content in each lesson, creating in-depth, relevant and directly relatable information on how to work with patients after a trauma or surgery causes scar tissue or adhesion formation. This will enhance and benefit your practice, and the individuals you work with.

Written and Developed by

Emma Holly

Emma exclusively teaches on the subject of scars. She founded Restore Therapy training school in 2017 and holds a City and Guilds Award in Education and Training. She has written the course using her specialist expertise in this area. Emma has shared her knowledge with professionals working within a variety of fields from elite sport to women’s health and oncology. She has a clinic in Harley Street, London’s most prestigious medical address. Emma has a holistic approach to the impact of scars, hoping to encourage preventative care rather than reactive response. In developing this course, she hopes to close the gap for treatment and understanding of post-operative scars, which unlike burn scars are often ignored within the health and wellness industry. Through Help for Heroes, she has organised a team of scar therapists to donate over 550 treatments for the Invictus Games athletes between 2017-2021.

Content Development

Hannah Poulton, HLP Therapy

Hannah Poulton is a senior physiotherapist who leads a multi-practitioner clinic HLP Therapy and has over two decades of specialist experience within physiotherapy. Hannah has contributed her in-depth knowledge of hands-on and self-care treatment, together with a thorough understanding of injury recovery and expert clinical reasoning. This enables the learner to understand the safe application of physical therapy approaches or exercise to suit patients in all stages of scar healing or maturation. Hannah believes understanding fascial and connective tissue and scar treatment is often the missing link for physiotherapy professionals and has been exploring a range of therapy tools to complement her hands-on treatments.

Maximise Your Time

Recommendations and Interventions

Expert Interviews