Question
Good Afternoon - about ten years ago I had liposuction to get rid of fat around my obliques. If I could do it over again, I would have elected not to have the procedure. I now have what I assume is scar tissue (it feels like lumps in my lower back) and it seems to be causing me back pain and the feeling of sciatica(sp?) - pain running down through my legs from the base of my spine where it seems the scar tissue puts pressure...

Is there any way of getting rid of internal scarring like this? Would an extended fast of some type help?

Answer
Hi Will


Thanks for your question. First let me make sure you understand that I'm a psychologist, not a medical doctor. Any answer I give you is based on my own research and the experiences my clients have shared with me.

It sounds like you have a good assessment of the problem. If there is scar tissue pressing on the nerves it can cause radiating pain down into the legs, as in sciatica. Sciatica is often caused by something mechanical pressing against the nerve, such as a bone spur in the spine, bulging disc, etc., but it would be the same principle.

It may be possible that the lumps you feel are not scar tissue, but trigger points of intensely tight muscle tissue.

One thought that comes to mind in terms of getting better is to see a massage therapist who has some expertise in working with adhesions and see if she or he can break them down somewhat, and also produce more overall healing, flexibility and increase blood flow. They may also be able to tell you if they think it is in fact scar tissue, trigger points, or something else.

I'm not familiar with doing a fast in this context, for a very specific area of the body.

If it is scar tissue, and if massage does not help, you may have to consult a neurosurgeon about options. Hopefully that wouldn't be necessary.

Best of luck

Barry Hughes