As a practitioner who specializes in pelvic floor therapy studying East Asian Medicine, with a…
As a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) who practices trauma-informed, inclusive care, I want to start by saying this clearly:
Trans bodies deserve healing that honors your full humanity—body, mind, and spirit.
Your scars are not something to hide or “fix.” But sometimes, they carry pain—physical or emotional—that needs tending. And that’s where healing modalities like neural therapy and acupuncture can make a powerful difference.
The Invisible Weight of Scar Tissue
For many trans and non-binary people, top surgery is life-saving and affirming. But even when the outcome is deeply wanted and celebrated, the body may carry residual effects from the surgery.
Scar tissue is more than skin deep. It can:
- Restrict fascia, movement, and posture
- Disrupt nerve signaling and cause lingering pain, tingling, or numbness
- Interfere with Qi and blood flow in key acupuncture meridians (especially Lung, Heart, and Kidney channels)
- Hold emotional memory of the procedure, the healing journey, or past trauma
In TCM, we believe that scars can become “energetic blockages”—places where the natural flow of life force (Qi) becomes stuck. And when Qi gets stuck, both physical and emotional symptoms can emerge.
Neural Therapy: Modern Medicine with a Holistic Soul
Neural therapy uses injections of procaine—a short-acting, gentle local anesthetic—into scar tissue. It’s not used to numb, but to reset nerve communication, reduce inflammation, and restore normal tissue function. Think of it like hitting “refresh” on your nervous system.
For post-top-surgery care, this can help:
- Soften and mobilize tight scar tissue
- Alleviate chronic pain, pulling, or numbness
- Improve chest wall mobility and posture
- Release stored emotions and trauma that may be locked in the tissue
From a TCM lens, this is a way to restore the integrity of the channels that run through the chest—especially the Lung (grief, identity) and Heart (joy, spirit) meridians.
Emotional Healing: The Stories Scars Carry
In many healing traditions—Chinese medicine included—the body holds memory. The chest is home to the Heart in TCM, which governs Shen, or spirit. When trauma, surgery, or emotional upheaval takes place, the Heart can be affected, even subtly.
Some patients report feeling:
- “Disconnected” from their chest
- Heightened anxiety or sensitivity
- Sudden emotion during scar work—grief, pride, relief, even tears
This is not a sign that something is wrong. It’s a sign that your body is processing and integrating.
Healing top surgery scars with intention can become part of your ongoing gender affirming journey—a ritual of reclamation, care, and deeper embodiment.
What a Session Looks Like
Here’s what a trauma-informed scar treatment session typically includes:
- A consent-based intake that centers your comfort and boundaries
- Gentle palpation of the scar and surrounding tissue
- Numbing cream applied if needed, especially for more sensitive areas
- Small, shallow injections of procaine into or around the scar
- Soothing modalities like acupuncture, cupping, or gua sha to assist Qi flow
- Space to feel, breathe, and process—no rush
Side effects are usually mild and short-lived (light bruising, temporary soreness, emotional release). Most patients report a feeling of lightness, relief, or reconnection with their body.
This Work Is Rooted in Respect
You don’t need to justify your scars to anyone. You don’t need to be in pain to deserve healing. Whether your chest feels like home, feels unfamiliar, or something in between—this is about giving your body the nourishment and care it asks for.
Scar therapy is not about erasing—it’s about supporting you in living more fully in your body. Trans health is whole-person health, and that includes tending to the subtle, emotional, energetic effects of surgery.
You Deserve to Feel at Home in Your Body
If you’re dealing with:
- Chronic discomfort after top surgery
- Numbness or reduced sensation
- Restricted movement or pulling
- Emotional disconnection from your chest
Know that healing is possible—and you don’t have to do it alone. I’d be honored to walk with you on that path.
Related Posts
Comments (0)