Refer a Patient
Specialist physiotherapy for scar rehabilitation and recovery
The Scar Expert provides specialist physiotherapy assessment and rehabilitation for people experiencing ongoing problems following surgery, cancer treatment or C-Section birth.
Patients may be referred for assessment at any stage following appropriate wound healing, whether their scar is relatively recent or they are experiencing problems months or years after surgery.
Who I Work With
I accept referrals for:
Oncology & Cancer
Including scars following breast cancer surgery, mastectomy, lumpectomy, lymph node surgery and other cancer-related procedures, as well as tissue changes associated with radiotherapy.
C-Section Birth
For women experiencing tightness, restriction, discomfort, altered sensation, tethering or concerns about the appearance and function of their Caesarean scar.
Surgery & Injury
Following abdominal, orthopaedic, plastic, reconstructive and other surgical procedures where scar tissue may be contributing to pain, restriction or altered movement.
Reasons to Refer
Scar rehabilitation may be appropriate where a patient is experiencing:
- Pain, sensitivity or discomfort around the scar
- Tightness, pulling or restriction
- Reduced scar or surrounding tissue mobility
- Adhesion or tethering
- Numbness or altered sensation
- Firm, thickened or irregular scar tissue
- Swelling or altered fluid movement around the area
- Restriction affecting movement or function
- Changes following radiotherapy or cancer treatment
- Concerns about the appearance or contour of the scar
- Difficulty knowing how to safely manage or mobilise their scar themselves
What does treatment involve?
Every patient receives an individual assessment looking beyond the visible scar to consider the superficial skin, deeper tissue layers and the effect of the scar on surrounding movement and function.
Depending on clinical findings, rehabilitation may include:
Hands-on scar mobilisation
to address areas of restriction, adhesion and altered tissue mobility.
Negative Pressure Therapy
including the in-demand LymphaTouch®, where clinically appropriate.
Movement & Exercise Rehab
where the scar or surrounding tissues are affecting movement or function.
Education & Self-Management
providing patients with practical techniques and an individual plan between appointments.
Oncology & Post Cancer Rehabilitation
Specialist Oncology Expertise
Lorraine has undertaken specialist training in oncology scar therapy, oncology rehabilitation and breast cancer rehabilitation, providing a strong understanding of the specific considerations and complexities involved in supporting people during and after cancer treatment.
Patients who have undergone cancer treatment can experience physical changes that persist long after the wound has healed or active treatment has finished. Surgery, scar formation and radiotherapy can contribute to altered tissue mobility, tightness, discomfort and restrictions that affect movement, function and quality of life.
Safe, evidence-based rehabilitation
Assessment and rehabilitation are provided within clinically appropriate post-treatment timelines and guided by current evidence-based practice, with careful consideration given to each patient's diagnosis, surgery, oncology treatment and stage of recovery.
Lorraine's broader physiotherapy background also enables rehabilitation to extend beyond the scar itself. Associated musculoskeletal restrictions — such as reduced shoulder range of movement following mastectomy or breast surgery — can be assessed and rehabilitated as part of the patient's overall recovery.
Looking beyond the scar
Lorraine's additional background in clinical Pilates and pelvic health physiotherapy allows core function, movement and exercise rehabilitation to be incorporated where appropriate. This supports a comprehensive approach that considers the function of the whole person, rather than treating the localised area of scarring in isolation.
Where appropriate, rehabilitation may include specialist scar and soft tissue techniques, movement and exercise rehabilitation, education and individualised self-management strategies, with the aim of safely supporting tissue recovery, mobility, function and confidence following cancer treatment.
About Lorraine
Lorraine Boyce is a Chartered Physiotherapist and founder of The Scar Expert.
With an extensive background in physiotherapy and rehabilitation, and previously practising as Down Below Physio, Lorraine now practises exclusively in specialist scar rehabilitation, with a particular focus on oncology, C-section and surgical scars.
Her approach combines detailed assessment, hands-on scar therapy, rehabilitation and patient education, with access to specialist negative pressure technology including LymphaTouch®.