MORE THAN SKIN DEEP: THE IMPACT OF SCAR MASSAGE

Scarring affects over 20 million people in the UK, according to a survey by The Scar Free Foundation (2019). Yet the findings reveal that scarring is not talked about enough in our society and there is still a lack of public awareness of the physical – as well as emotional – impact that scarring can have on people.

According to the survey, despite over a third (38%) of the UK population having a scar, it is often a ‘hidden issue’.

As your body heals after surgery or trauma such as fractures or burns, scar tissue forms. Scar tissue is less functional and mobile , adhesions may form, sticking together layers under the skin. Radiotherapy treatment also causes fibrosis. People can experience a wide range of symptoms at or around their scar including:- v Pain associated with the scar v Sensitivity or numbness v Persistent itching v Reduced /Limited Movement v Puckering, tightness or ‘stuck tissue’ v Scar Adhesions v Altered posture/movement v Deferred pain /discomfort v Ongoing Inflammation/’Puffiness’ v Abdominal Bloating v Digestive issues v Breathing pattern changes v Fertility/menstrual complications n Release Tightness n Support Emotional Wellbeing

Scar Massage treatments can help stimulate the scar and underlying tissues. Pain & discomfort are not always felt at the source of the problem, scar massage is a holistic approach combining understanding of any discomfort or pain with assessing movement and mobility across the body as well as directly around the scar -focussing on reducing any issues related to a surgery, trauma or radiotherapy.

Scar Therapy can help loosen and release tight scar tissue to reduce discomfort. Treatment can be beneficial on both new and old scars.

Gentle therapeutic Touch can be a powerful way to aid emotional recovery and accept changes after a surgery or accident n Stimulate and Boost Healing n Help Restricted Mobility n Reduce Sensitivity and Pain

Scar massage & Lymphatic Drainage Massage are often recommended by surgeons to promote optimum scar healing after surgery and may minimise long term complications.

By reducing tightness and encouraging mobility between the layers of the skin, fascia and muscle, range of movement can improve.

Trapped nerves and irritated scar tissue can be a factor to prolonged discomfort. Therapeutic touch may decrease pain and help normalise sensitivity

Every scar comes with a story and the aftereffects of having a scar can include physical and emotional pain and distress. If you’re starting to experience symptoms at or around your scar, the best action is to seek early intervention. Scar Therapy treatment in the first 6 months after surgery is really helpful, but if you are living with symptoms from a historic injury or surgery it’s never too late to seek help and benefit from scar therapy.

The Corporation Tax ‘Main’ rate increased from 1 April 2023 from 19% to 25% and for the first time in a decade a ‘Small Companies Rate’ was re-introduced to run alongside the ‘Main’ rate and was set at 19%. Companies have of course been used to paying 19% as the ‘Main’ rate since 1 April 2017. The Corporation Tax rate had fallen steadily since it reached its highest ever rate of 52% in the early 1970s but the recent introduction of two rates of corporation tax and the increase from the current 19% to 25% marks the first increase in the tax in nearly 50 years. Following the increase, the UK will still have the lowest Corporation Tax rate in the G7 but this will mean increased Corporation Tax costs of up to 39.4% which will be unwelcome to many businesses who are still recovering from the pandemic. The government had initially planned to introduce further cuts to the Corporation Tax rate but instead took the decision to increase the rate as one of the measures to recoup the costs of increased government spending during the pandemic. The government hopes to raise £18 billion a year as a result of the increase. While the increase to the main rate of Corporation Tax to 25% is grabbing the headlines, the small companies rate means that the Corporation Tax rate will remain the same for smaller companies with profits of less than the lower limit of £50,000. The government estimates that 1.4 million businesses will be unaffected by the increase. However, the last time there was a small profits rate, companies with profits of less than up to £300,000 rather than £50,000 were eligible, so this Corporation Tax increase will affect a much larger proportion of companies than in the past.

Companies with profits over the upper limit of £250,000 will be taxed at 25% on all profits, not just those over £250,000; and companies will pay a marginal rate of tax of 26.5% on their profits if they fall between £50,000 to £250,000. This marginal rate of 26.5% will hit a lot of companies and yet this rate has hardly made the headlines.

Company owners might consider incorporating a second (or more) companies to share profits between them in a bid to keep them below £50,000, but it is important to note that the lower and upper limits which determine the rate of Corporation Tax are reduced where there are other associated companies. Associated companies are companies under the control of one another or under the control of the same person or persons. So, if Mr X owns two companies, these will be associated with each other, and the lower limit (and the £50,000 to £250,000 band) will be halved meaning the small profits rate will no longer apply if the companies have profits over £25,000.

The increase in the Corporation Tax rates, together with the increased dividend tax rate means that the tax effectiveness of operating a business through a company is certainly reduced though there are still many other advantages in having a limited company.

As always, you should speak with your accountant in order to better understand how the new rates of corporation tax impact your company and your circumstances.

Peter Bevan Bevan & Co, Chartered Accountants peter@bevan.co.uk

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