When it comes to dealing with the healing of scar tissue, exercise can be an invaluable tool to help in the process. With fall just around the corner and kids back in school, it is a great time to take up an exercise routine that can be healthy for your body, as well as to help with healing scars.
Zumba
Zumba is a high impact workout that combines a variety of dance styles into an aerobic, hard-hitting workout. This is an activity that is often done indoors at a local health club and allows for people to get a workout in no matter what time of year.
With such a high intensity workout, your heart rate is going to increase, causing more oxygen to flow through the bloodstream. This provides the scar tissue with the elements it needs to repair itself while the increase in blood flow removes any debris and byproduct from the healing process away, keeping the scar site clean.
Outdoor Running
Fall is a beautiful time to be outdoors. With the weather changing, the temperatures are pleasant and the colors are breathtaking as the leaves begin to change. For people that enjoy being outdoors, running is a great exercise for healing scars. Much like Zumba, it is a high impact workout that will increase breathing rates as well as increase blood flow in the body.
Another reason that running is such a great exercise is because when people’s heart rates increase their bodies produce less Cortisol, or what is commonly known as the “stress hormone.” People with lower stress hormone levels have shown to have better healing rates than those that have higher Cortisol levels.
Yoga
Stretching and massage are two of the most helpful things you can do for your body to promote scar healing. Yoga is a practice that incorporates flexibility, breathing, meditation, and balance to help center the body and mind at the same time. It is a calming practice that also will help to heal scar tissue.
Any time the scar tissue can be moved, stretched, rubbed, and warmed, it breaks down the hard tissues that cause the scar to be rigid or raised. Yoga is a great option for many people, especially post-surgery, because it is not a high intensity workout and can easily be tailored to fit the limitations of any individual. By incorporating yoga into a regular fitness routine, you are allowing the skin fibers to stretch and become more pliable with each session. Over time, the scar will become less hard and noticeably less visible.
Exercise can be a great way to help improve the look of scars. Incorporating a regular workout routine is going to strengthen the immune system and promote hydration. When our bodies work hard, we require more water, as well. Having a stronger immune system will allow the body to heal properly and reduce the appearance of scars. Just remember that it is always recommended that you contact a doctor prior to beginning any exercise regimen.
What is your favorite Fall fitness workout?
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The information on this site is provided as an information resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please speak to your doctor to treat any medical condition. Information on this site is not intended to be patient education, does not create any patient-physician relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.
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