Massage therapy may be effective in reducing fibrous bands and internal scarring known as:

Adhesions are fibrous bands that can form after surgery, trauma, or disease process. It is like an internal scarring process. These adhesions can prevent the tissues from moving freely, and sliding over one another without restriction. Adhesions can also form when a part of the body is not permitted to move for a long time, as with wearing a splint or cast. Massage techniques like cross-fiber friction can be effective. However the effectiveness depends on the location of adhesions, and degree of scarring. The most likely benefit of massage therapy in regards to adhesions is that soft tissue mobilization can help minimize the risk of adhesions forming in the first place.