My journey into scar therapy developed naturally through the clients I was supporting. After attending my first scar therapy training course in 2021, I began working with people experiencing problematic scars and quickly saw some remarkable results.
In 2023, during my own cancer journey, I realised I wanted to shift the focus of my work and support people recovering from cancer. While still undergoing treatment, I received an email announcing the new Oncology Scar Specialist course with Restore Therapy. I remember sitting in a chemotherapy session reading about it and immediately knowing that this was the direction I wanted to take once I returned to work.
The day after being given the all-clear, I attended the Oncology Scar Specialist course—and I loved it. Two years later, scar therapy now makes up the majority of my work. I support people recovering from breast cancer surgery, as well as those living with a wide range of other surgical and cancer-related scars. My goal is to help people experience less pain, improve their mobility, and feel more comfortable and confident in their bodies.
Recently, I received an email from a breast surgeon who leads services within my local NHS trust. He was keen to learn more about scar therapy and how I work because he had noticed a clear difference in the recovery of patients who had received scar therapy treatment.
The breast surgeon told me:
“I normally discharge patients at six weeks post-surgery and then follow up at the one-year mark. I can tell which patients have been for scar therapy; they generally have better mobility and are more confident.”
Following our conversation, I was invited to speak at my local hospital. I presented to the oncology breast care multidisciplinary team (MDT), focusing on the role of scar therapy in post-surgical recovery, the importance of teaching patients to massage their own scars, and the different ways people can access free or low-cost treatment.
The response was incredibly positive. My business cards were shared at the hospital’s breast cancer support group the very next day, and I soon received an email explaining that there had been a great deal of interest, along with a request for more cards ahead of the following month’s meeting.
I am genuinely grateful to Emma Holly and Restore Therapy for providing such excellent training, which ultimately led me to this rewarding work. I’m also thankful for the Restore Therapy directory, which makes it much easier for patients to find a qualified scar therapist close to home.
Many of the enquiries I receive through social media come from people who live outside my local area. Being able to direct them to the Restore Therapy Directory is invaluable, allowing them to find trained scar therapists – wherever they are in the country.
Supporting people through their recovery journey is a privilege, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see growing recognition of the positive impact scar therapy can have on healing, movement, confidence, and quality of life.
Cathryn Bishop is listed on the Restore Scar Therapy Directory, her details can be found HERE
