Scar Massage after Thyroidectomy and Parathyroidectomy Surgery: Video

Hi, I'm Masha Livhits. I'm an endocrine surgeon at the UCLA Endocrine Center. I'm going to show you how we recommend doing scar massage after thyroid and parathyroid surgery.

Starting with two clean fingers you want to massage in a circle all around the area of the scar, we don't want to pull out. We really want to push in because that's where the scar tissue is just under the visible scar. Initially, you're going to start out being pretty gentle but over time we want to apply more pressure to get to the scar tissue that's deeper in the neck.

You are massaging on your windpipe and that can feel a little bit uncomfortable. However, massaging for a few minutes twice a day for a few months can help to improve the cosmetic appearance of the scar from thyroid surgery.

Key Insights:

Gentle massage:
Starting with gentle pressure is important to avoid any pain or discomfort during scar massage.
Gradually increasing pressure:
As the scar tissue heals, applying more pressure helps break down deeper layers for better results.
Uncomfortable but normal:
Massaging on the windpipe may feel uncomfortable, but it's a common sensation due to the proximity of the scar.
Consistency is key:
Regularly massaging the scar for a few minutes, twice a day, over a few months is necessary to achieve visible improvement.
Avoid pulling:
Instead of pulling the scar, focus on pushing in towards the scar tissue for effective scar massage.
Cosmetic benefits:
Scar massage can enhance the overall appearance of the scar, making it less noticeable over time.