Breasts

RE: Breasts

I am in my fourth year of this now and it has never been requested or indeed expected....

Tigs
x

RE: Breasts

I've seen it used in Masunaga's books, but that takes place in Japan. I, myself would not be comfortable doing that.

RE: Breasts

Hi

Personally I wouldn`t be comfortable with touching other peoples bosoms!!
I don`t think it`s appropriate.....

Not sure what benefits you would get from that anyway?

Lx

RE: Breasts

I received some of my massage training in Europe, where there is a much more relaxed attitude and at the same time there is a great emphasis on details of clinical aspects of massage - including the anatomy and physiology of the breasts.

Because of this, I often remind women that regular, massage is very important for optimal breast health. I see this as an educational role, particularly when I see a client for massage, who has visible marks of a tight underwire bra. There is some evidence that these can cause congestion, inhibit lymph flow and limit circulation. Daily self-massage (at least 5 mins) therefore is very beneficial.

I also feel that if there is mutual trust - breast massage can be part of the treatment and clients have requested this both for health and aesthetic reasons. When included in a full body massage, it can feel as a very nurturing and at the same time liberating experience.

A.

RE: Breasts

I have done Balinese massage training where the chest is massaged at the same time as the stomach. I woun't say the breasts themselves were massaged but effleurage moves did cover that area. At first it seemed a bit unncessary but it can feel quite liberating and therefore adds to the psychological well being gained from massage. I haven't offered this though - in england i'm just not sure we're ready for it. Of course if you were in thailand ........ anything goes

RE: Breasts

As someone who has very rounded shoulders and terrible posture I have had it suggested by my college tutor (a sports massage therapist) that I work the whole pectoral area deeply and regularly as tightness in this muscle needs to be stretched and lengthened to allow the muscles in the back of shoulder and and neck to take their proper place and shape, allowing normal posture. I do this regularly on myself (as far as is possible), but am not sure how I would feel if someone else were to be manipulating this area. I think it certainly has no place as part of a general massage session or with a client you don't know to well or feel comfortable with!

RE: Breasts

As alternative and complimentary health therapists we are supposed to be looking after peoples health and wellbeing, as professional health therapist we are supposed to put our own feeling and prejudices aside to help someone with their health issues.

There are therapists who do not like feet or feel uncomfortable touching them, so if someone comes with a sprained ankle then they are turned away because that person does not do feet.

There are others who will not address pseudo sciatica or a groin strain injury as it require the therapist to work deeply through the gluteus or the groin and they would not feel comfortable touching someone's bottom or groin as they feel it might be somehow inappropriate so the patient continues to suffers unnecessarily or ends up with a operation or disabled.

Since the chances of having breast cancer reduces considerably with regular breast massage and examinations this is something that I feel needs addressing by physical heath therapists.

I don't think any therapist who has been looking after someone for a few years would be very happy if they did not see them for a few months and the next time they came they had a radical maxectomy (spell) to look after, especially when they consider they could have quite easily prevented it.

It is IMO a matter of putting things into the correct perspective, talking thing through with your patients and agreeing what is the best course of treatment for each person, obviously if someone is not happy to receive breast massage as a preventative treatment or any other form of treatment then you have to abide by their wishes, but I do feel they should be given the choice.

RE: Breasts

I am learning ITEC Holistic Massage at the moment and we have been taught front of body massage to the entire front (male or female) where you encompass stomach and chest massage together and then separate stomach and then chest using the towel to cover the breasts. We also practiced on eachother for this and I didn't think I would feel comfortable at all but I felt absolutely fine and in some ways it felt far better as it felt the whole body was included. As someone said previously I would not call it massaging the breasts but obviously the effleurage does cover them lightly. There are women who prefer this method and I have reliably been told by a lady I see for reflexology (who also does massage) that often women ask her to do the whole of the front rather than abdomen and chest separately. This is just personal preference and I, personally, am glad I was taught this as an option.

RE: Breasts

Hi Paul

you may be aware that breast cancer is a subject very close to my heart....

Since the chances of having breast cancer reduces considerably with regular breast massage

and the next time they came they had a radical maxectomy (spell) to look after, especially when they consider they could have quite easily prevented it.

I have never seen any research which suggest massage will reduce chance of breast cancer even a little never mind considerably...and I am not sure how regular breast massage can easily prevent a radical mastectomy...I am interested and open to learning from any information, studies etc that you have.

Tigs
xx

RE: Breasts

Of course if you were in thailand ........ anything goes

This may of course be true of the "dodgy" massage parlours but those Thais who practice the orthodox Thai massage are very proper in their treatments. More so than us in the West.

When I learnt to do Inch Wrap with Finders, massage of the breasts was part of the general treatment and no-one felt awkward or embarrassed about the massage.

Love

RE: Breasts

hi paul,

i have to agree with tigerbee on this. i think this statement of yours...

the next time they came they had a radical maxectomy (spell) to look after, especially when they consider they could have quite easily prevented it.

is a little dangerous without research evidence to back it.

if as therapists we "can quite easily prevent" breast cancer, would it not follow that we can do the same with any cancer? hmmmm

RE: Breasts

i have had a hydrotherm massage and your breasts are included in the treatment(hope that sounds ok!) iwas really uncomfy about having them "done" but did cos i wanted to appear cool with it........when you are having a treatment it all flows and it is not any different to having your arm massaged. I think we have
preconcieved ideas about what the therapist might feel when in reality they see us as a whole being not seperate parts .

RE: Breasts

Have to say Paul that I agree with Tigerbee and Ro§ie regarding your statement...I, as you know have had Breast Cancer and it is something I obviously feel very strongly about

Since the chances of having breast cancer reduces considerably with regular breast massage and examinations

is a little dangerous without research evidence to back it.

Have you any evidance to back it?

Many blessings
stormdeva x

RE: Breasts

I can only speak from my own hands on experiences over the last 20 years, you will have to asses it for yourself as to if you consider reducing overall tension on the many glands and keeping the flow of fresh nutrients and lymph thought the breasts will or will not reduce the chances of anything untoward happening.

My experience over the years says yes it does the same as it gets rid of mastitis and other painful breast conditions, the other side of the equation is a therapists sensitive hands should detect something amiss a long time before a Dr or often even the patient themselves become aware of it and point them straight round to their GP, I have also had experience of this both professionally and in my personal life.

It only takes a couple of minutes each side and fits into a front of body massage seamlessly with out it feeling any different from any other part of the massage and once you assure them that you will inform them if anything feels wrong they relax and stop worrying about them.