
Hello! I am Susan Hagan
I work as a BOWEN practitioner and practise and teach the MSTR® technique.
Scar release work is not a new idea but we are starting to realise the importance of treating scars.Effective treatment of scar tissue is, for a big percentage of the population, left untreated and is probably the most neglected of bodywork skills for the manual therapist.In other words, no matter what physical therapy intervention is used, untreated scars may thwart our best efforts to remedy related pain and restrictions in mobility.
Are you a BodyWorker? Do you want to learn how to use the MSTR scar technique? Watch this video to find out how....
WHAT IS MSTR®?
The MSTR® technique uses gentle, precisely applied finger movements to improve mobility, flexibility, and function in areas affected by scarring. By enhancing fascial glide, circulation, and neural communication, it supports better biomechanics and overall wellbeing.The body forms scar tissue as a natural response to trauma when the skin is lacerated or punctured either by accident or purposefully ie. surgery. During the repair process, the body produces collagen, this creates a thick, fibrous mass which can impede proper circulation of blood, congests lymph flow, and can even impact on range of motion. Untreated scar tissue may inhibit other treatment applications from successful and longer lasting outcomes.

WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR?
Plantar fasciitis
Restrictions in shoulder movement
Sports injuries such as quadriceps and hamstring tears
Axillary Web Syndrome (AWS)
Dupuytren's Contracture
Scoliosis
Underlying fibrous tissue from past injuries where the skin wasn't punctured
Any areas of dense, fibrous tissue

More about MSTR®
The MSTR® (McLoughlin Scar Tissue Release) technique is a natural, pain-free hands-on therapy designed to release and soften fibrous scar tissue and adhesions in the body. Developed by British bodywork instructor Alastair McLoughlin, it aims to restore normal tissue mobility, relieve discomfort, and improve circulation.Psychological and emotional states may also improve as scar tissue is addressed and the patient experiences better integration and normalisation of the tissues.Good successes with MSTR® are reported with hypertrophic scars, keloid scars, acne scars, atrophic scars.There are additional applications for MSTR® – it’s not just for visible scars.
We are finding that it can be used by healthcare professionals for a whole host of additional problems where underlying fibrous tissue is present. Improvements have been noted in presentations such as:

Testimonial from a MSTR® scar release practitioner
How it impacts on the client...
I witnessed meaningful changes in both her breast and abdominal scars, visually softer, calmer and more integrated, but most importantly, functionally freer.My client described complete ease when lifting her arm and no restriction in her stomach during exercise, which reaffirmed the value of MSTR® in restoring comfort and confidence.
As a practitioner, it is inspiring to see how gentle, hands-on therapy can support both physical softening and emotional reconnection. This final case study has strengthened my belief in the effectiveness of MSTR® and left me feeling privileged to offer this work to clients.
In the future...
A Live 1 day Scar Release MSTR® course where you will learn the following:
You will learn the MSTR® technique as well as understanding:
The effects of scars on human physiology
Scar types / classification
How scars affect us psychologically and emotionally
How scars affect the fascia
What IS MSTR®?
MSTR® - not just for scars!
How to integrate MSTR® into your practiceThe course will be held in Central Portugal when there's enough interest, if you are interested please send me a line via the form below.

Pictures speak louder than words...
Treatments I offer
I am a qualified Bowenwork® and MSTR® practitioner.
Send me a message if you need a treatment or ONLINE CONSULTATION.I charge 10 euros for a 15 min online consultation.

© SusanHagan 2026 All rights reserved.

I am a Bowen Therapist , an Ayurvedic Practitioner and a Clinical Aromatherapist and for the last few years I have added the remarkable McLoughlin Scar Tissue Release Technique - MSTR® to my therapies.I have been teaching therapies Internationally for 40 years. I use MSTR® all the time in my clinic and I am constantly amazed at the transformation it can create in the health and lives of my clients. I am excited to share this therapy with you and look forward to many more years of sharing MSTR® to as many students as I can. I have recently relocated and now live and work in Central Portugal..
To see more of my success stories in treating scars, go to my Facebook page (click link below)Phone +351 913419044
Email: [email protected]Love Susan

My qualifications:
BIO Complementary Medical Therapist
Cert Ed Qualified Teacher: St Katherines College, Liverpool 1968
Ayurvedic Practitioner: DIP.Mana Vajracharya. Nepal 1978
Anatomy and Physiology Tutor: ITEC 1986
Clinical Aromatherapist, Examiner and Tutor: MIFPA 1987
Bowen Therapist and Tutor MBTPA 2000
Director: International Bowen Therapy Foundation 2008
College of Applied Myoskeletal Therapy Practitioner: John Garfield 2015
Importance of Symmetry Practitioner: Graham Pennington 2015
McLoughlin Scar Tissue Release (MSTR) Qualified Practitioner and International Tutor: 2018
Contact Susan Hagan via email at: [email protected]
TESTIMONIALS
HOLLY:
I saw Susan after I had Dupuytren's Contracture surgery and healed with an excess of scar tissue. The scar tissue was very thick and tight and was causing movement restriction. I was having physiotherapy treatment in blocks of sessions and searched for a scar specific treatment that could be done in the gap between the blocks and came across McLoughlin Scar Tissue Release, I was really happy to find some practioners in Portugal and Susan's level of experience stood out. I was so impressed by how quickly the treatment took effect, after the first session I could see that blood flow to the area had increased and over the subsequent days, the top layer of the tissue felt more pliable and the colour returned. After the second session, the difference was huge, so much of the scar released and after the third session the reduction in mass was extremely noticeable. My physiotherapist was amazed when I returned for my next block of sessions. Susan is calm, warm and practical and brings in a wealth of knowledge of other practices alongside her high skill level in MSTR to really provide a rounded treatment where you feel supported as the healing unfolds, the positive effect is not just physical but mental too. I am so glad to have found MSTR and this amazing practitioner.

Before MSTR ® session

Before MSTR ® session

Before MSTR ® session

After 3 (15mins) sessions with MSTR®
Madeleine Ridgeley :Three sessions with Susan healed the back pain that I had been suffering with for a long time due to scoliosis. My spine shifted back into alignment. More generally, this treatment was an incredible energetic boost. After each session I noticed a considerable increase in vitality throughout my whole body. My eye-sight sharpened, the world became more vibrant and I started to sleep more deeply. Susan has a vast range of knowledge regarding health and medicine, she is an exceptional practitioner and I highly recommend her work.
Claire McCullenThis scar is mine and I cannot believe the difference in the look and comfort of this scar following 2 treatments. A truly amazing treatment on scar tissue. Prior to treatment it felt uncomfortable at times and lumpy. I now have no awareness of this scar on my body.

Cesarean scar MSTR 1

Cesarean scar MSTR 2 Susan Hagen

Cesarean scar MSTR 3 Susan Hagen
Anne R:I was referred to Susan by my daughter because I was increasingly fed up losing sleep due to three sources of unrelated pain. The first two were in my neck and lower back, neither of which responded to physiotherapy, and the third was Post therapeutic neuralgia following an outbreak of shingles over 18 months ago. Susan’s gentle technique has eliminated the pain in my neck, reduced the nerve damage from shingles to almost zero – I’m still expecting the third and final treatment session to take full effect – and, to my greatest relief, the pain on either side of my coccyx has abated, meaning a series of nights for me of sound sleep with no need for analgesics. I should also add that the treatment session in itself induces a deeply relaxing state much needed by a body tense with chronic pain. I would recommend Susan to anyone experiencing pain and won’t hesitate to seek her out for similar therapy in future.

