2025 National Conference International Presenter Emma Holly highlights the benefits of scar therapy in improving mobility, reducing pain and supporting emotional recovery.
Scars tell stories – of surgery, survival, trauma and healing. Yet too often, people are left to carry the physical and emotional weight of these marks and go on to develop further issues as a result of scar tissue – without advice or support. Through my work in scar therapy, I’ve seen first-hand how effective scar massage treatment can profoundly improve not just how a scar looks, but how someone feels and functions every day.
Through our fascial system, changes to tissue dynamics caused by stiff and adhered scar tissue can have a far-reaching impact. Studies have shown that adhesions develop in approximately 79–90% of patients who undergo open abdominal or pelvic surgeries.1
How It All Began
After two decades working in massage therapy, I began looking for ways to care for my hands and reduce the need for deep massage work, while still continuing in a field I love. I found a course in scar tissue release and quickly realised I had discovered my passion – helping people recover more fully.
I also became aware of a widespread gap in post-surgical scar care and a significant lack of education on the subject. Many patients came to me years after surgery, still in pain or restricted by tight, immobile scars. This realisation sparked a deep commitment: to deliver a holistic therapy approach that supports full recovery – not just physically, but emotionally too.
Patient feedback continually inspires me to share more education globally about the benefits of scar massage. Here are couple of examples:
‘I had a total knee replacement and, due to excessive scar tissue, the flexibility in my knee was not responding to physiotherapy. After sessions with Emma, I noticed significant improvement in mobility and a reduction in pain.’
‘After breast cancer surgery, I was left with tightness and discomfort. Emma’s scar therapy techniques have greatly improved my range of motion and eased the discomfort. I’m incredibly grateful for her expertise.’
When delivered correctly, scar massage can be truly transformative – addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of healing. It’s not uncommon to work with people considering further surgery due to discomfort and, instead, get them to a point where surgery is no longer needed. That’s incredibly rewarding.
Restore Scar Therapy
Scar therapy is more than skin deep. My Restore Scar Therapy method is a non- invasive approach that combines hands-on techniques – including scar massage, fascial release, scar cupping, and kinesiology taping – with personalised self- care advice. These methods are tailored to reduce sensitivity, restore movement, soften scar tissue, and support better healing outcomes – even long after the original injury or surgery.
Patients often tell me they were told ‘nothing more can be done’
Yet after just a few sessions, they regain mobility, experience relief from pain, and feel more at ease in their own skin. That transformation is the reason I do this work.
Education: Empowering therapists around the world
I believe everyone deserves access to effective scar care. That’s why I’ve made it my mission to educate and mentor other therapists and healthcare professionals. I’ve trained professionals in England’s National Health Service (NHS), in military rehabilitation, leading oncology centres and private clinics across the globe.
It’s amazing to have become a leading specialist with a clinic in Harley Street – London’s medical centre – and to now run a global education program. My teaching has expanded beyond massage therapists to include physiotherapists, occupational therapists and nurse specialists.
I’m especially proud of my online advanced course, Understanding Scars, which equips therapists with both knowledge and clinical insight to support patients with simple and complex scars – whether from burns, cancer surgery, cosmetic procedures or trauma. With over 1,000 enrolments to date, it offers a strong foundation for clinical decision-making, treatment planning and effective self-scar care.
In 2025, I’m returning to teach in Australia with courses across the country. I’m thrilled to contribute to the Massage & Myotherapy Australia 2025 National Conference with hands-on pre-conference workshops and a conference plenary. Earlier in May, I’ll be presenting to lymphatic therapists at their conference, and in June, I’ll be speaking to Australian oncology nurses – so the word is getting out!
Restoring Confidence, One Story at a Time
I’ve been privileged to witness hundreds of stories of recovery and empowerment. One patient, Jane, came to me after breast cancer surgery, struggling with pain and limited movement. She had silicone implants causing significant discomfort and was planning further surgery to have them removed. Her surgeon, Kelvin Chong, recommended she try treatment with me first.
After a series of sessions, she told me, ‘You’ve given me my life back’. She no longer requires further surgery. Stories like this are deeply humbling – and a constant reminder of why this work matters.
Giving Back Through the Restore Pledge
Access to care should never be a privilege. That’s why I launched the Restore Scar Therapy Pledge, offering thousands of free therapy sessions to those most in need – cancer survivors, veterans and burn survivors. Our goal is to provide 5,000 treatments by the end of 2027.
We deliver treatments through training workshops and in collaboration with charities that support those with injuries – such as our work with Invictus UK athletes and burn survivors through dedicated charities.
Scars are part of us – but they don’t have to define us. With the right care, we can restore more than tissue – we can restore confidence, comfort and quality of life.
If you’re a therapist interested in learning more – or someone seeking treatment – I invite you to enrol in Understanding Scars: Advanced Online Theory Course. This course explores in detail the impact of scars and offers treatment insights for therapists and exercise professionals.
Emma Holly’s work has been recognised with several awards.
In 2023, she was named Inspirational Tutor of the Year by TPOT for her scar therapy courses. Earlier, the Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT) honoured her as Highly Commended Complementary Therapist of the Year in 2017. Beyond her clinical work, she is passionate about community service. Through the Restore Therapy Pledge, she has delivered over 2,000 free scar therapy appointments and aim to reach 5,000. Her volunteer work includes supporting Invictus Games athletes and collaborating with organisations such as Help for Heroes and Dan’s Fund for Burns.
References
1. Pepijn Krielen, Martijn W J Stommel, Pille Pargmae, Nicole D Bouvy, Erica A Bakkum, Harold Ellis, Michael C Parker, Ewen A Griffiths, Harry van Goor, Richard P G ten Broek,
2. Adhesion-related readmissions after open and laparoscopic surgery: a retrospective cohort study (SCAR update),The Lancet,Volume 395, Issue 10217,2020,Pages 33-41, ISSN 0140- 6736, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(19)32636-4.
MASSAGE & MYOTHERAPY AUSTRALIA JOURNAL | ISSUE 2 | WINTER 2025 | 21
