When can I start caesarean scar massage?

Wait until at least 6 weeks after your birth, and only start once your scar is fully closed with no scabs, oozing, redness or signs of infection. If you are unsure, check with your physio or GP at your 6-week check. If you have had complications such as infection, keloid scarring or multiple scars, start only once your physio or GP has given you the go-ahead.

Does massaging a caesarean scar help?

It will not suit everyone, and the response varies from person to person. For some women, regular gentle massage of a fully healed caesarean scar may support comfort and tissue health in the months after birth - it may help soften firm or tight scar tissue, ease feelings of tightness or pulling, and help oversensitive or numb skin become more comfortable to touch over time. A women's health physiotherapist can advise on whether it suits you.

FLOW PHYSIO CO - Caesarean Scar Massage: When to Start and How to Do

More than 1 in 3 births in Australia is by caesarean, yet very few women are shown what to do with their scar once it has healed. Gentle scar massage is a simple thing you can do at home - here is when to start, what it should feel like, and how to build up step by step.

Why scar massage may help

Once a caesarean scar has fully healed, gentle massage will not suit everyone, and the response varies from person to person. But for some women, regular scar massage may support comfort and tissue health in the months after birth:

Healing and tissue - may help soften firm or tight scar tissue and support how the area moves as it settles
Comfort - may ease feelings of tightness or pulling around the scar
Sensation - the area around a scar can feel numb, tingly or oversensitive; gentle massage may help the skin become more comfortable to touch over time
Appearance - some women find the look of the scar settles with consistent care, alongside normal healing

Every recovery is different. A women's health physio can tailor this to you.

When to start

Timing matters. Before you begin, make sure:

It is at least 6 weeks after your birth
Your scar is fully closed, with no scabs, oozing, redness or signs of infection
You have checked with your physio or GP at your 6-week check if you are unsure

If you have had any complications - such as infection, keloid scarring or multiple scars - start only once your physio or GP has given you the go-ahead.

What should it feel like?

Knowing what is normal helps you massage with confidence. Mild pulling, stretching, tingling or slight sensitivity is expected, especially early on.

Stop if you feel: sharp pain, burning, significant redness, swelling, or any bleeding or new discharge. If something does not feel right, stop and check in with your physio or GP.

How often, and for how long?

A little and often works best. Around 5 to 10 minutes daily is plenty, and you can continue for up to 12 months following your birth. Consistency matters far more than intensity - gentle and regular beats firm and occasional, every time.

Getting ready

A few moments of preparation makes massage more comfortable: wash your hands, use a small amount of oil or moisturiser so your fingers glide, and sit or lie somewhere you can easily reach your scar. Warming the area first - a heat pack for 5 minutes, or massaging straight after a shower - can help.

The three stages

Build up gradually. Move to the next stage only when the previous one feels comfortable:

Desensitisation (first 1 to 2 weeks). Gently stroke the skin above and below the scar with your hands or a soft cloth. The area may feel numb or odd at first. Use soft circles, side-to-side strokes and light tapping across the tummy, moving around the scar.
Skin mobility (once sensitivity settles). Move the skin above, below and around the scar - up and down, side to side, and in circles. You are moving the skin, not pressing deeply at this stage.
Scar line (once the skin moves easily). Work directly over the scar with up-and-down, side-to-side and circular motions, using as firm a pressure as is comfortable. Spend longer on any areas that feel harder or stickier. You can also gently roll the scar between your fingers, pinching and lifting along its length.

Let comfort be your guide at every stage - there is no need to push into pain.

Tips for best results

Warm the area first with a heat pack or a shower
Combine massage with gentle abdominal breathing and stretching
Ask your physio about silicone scar strips and whether they suit you
Be patient - scars settle slowly, over many months

Get the free guide

We have put all of this into a simple, downloadable guide - including illustrated techniques - that you can keep on your phone.

Download the guide Book an Appointment

Our women's health physiotherapists work with women through pregnancy and the postnatal period, with individual assessment and advice tailored to you. If you would like guidance on your caesarean recovery, our Sutherland and Woolooware clinics are here to help.

This article provides general education only and is not a substitute for individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have concerns about your caesarean scar, healing or recovery, please consult your GP or a qualified women's health physiotherapist for assessment and personalised care.