What is the purpose of scar massage in hand therapy?

Study for the NBCOT Hand Injuries and Intervention Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question offers hints and explanations. Get ready for success!

Scar massage in hand therapy aims to improve scar mobility and reduce adhesions and hypersensitivity. Scar tissue can form dense bundles that stick to underlying tissues, tethering tendons and joints and making movement painful or stiff. Through gentle, graded massage with varied directions and pressures, collagen fibers realign along lines of tension and the skin and subcutaneous tissues can glide more freely over underlying structures. This helps restore motion, decreases sensitivity, and reduces the risk of limiting scar tethering as the healing progresses. It does not create more scar tissue or promote stiffness; in fact, it supports tissue extensibility and ROM. Desensitization involves gradual exposure to different textures and stimuli, not just pressure alone, which is why massage is paired with a progressive tactile approach rather than focusing solely on pressure.