Breasts

RE: Breasts

There are a large number of websites relating to: therapeutic massage, breast cancer or beauty therapy that promote breast massage - the article I copied here gives a good analysis of the issues:

"The Evolving Practice of Breast Massage
I was intrigued by a course entitled: "Making the Case for Breast Massage" at the most recent annual meeting of the California Chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association. Intrigued, I confess, because I didn't know that a case needed to be made. In my own practice, I regularly perform therapeutic modalities on the breasts of pregnant and nursing mothers; on women who have had breast reduction or augmentation; and on women who have endured mastectomy or breast cancer treatment. However, since my early days as a massage therapist, it had never occurred to me that there might be a rationale, much less a mandate, for well-breast massage.

When I was first introduced to massage in the early 1970s, two mass-market books, George Downings' Massage Book and Gordon Inkeles' The Art of Sensual Massage, described the use of gentle effleurage strokes over undraped breasts as a part of relaxation massage on the anterior torso. This approach was also used at the Esalen Institute in Northern California.

Over the years, and with continued training, I developed expertise in treating various dysfunctions related to the breast, but never taught any form of breast massage to students -- it seemed to be an area of the body riddled with pitfalls. When Dianne Polseno Crawford surveyed a representative sample of massage therapists in 1997, she found that while 45% reported receiving some training in breast massage, only 9% reported performing it on a regular basis. In an informal survey of massage schools throughout the country, Crawford reported that only 10% were teaching any kind of breast massage.

The American Massage Therapy Association does not have a specific policy regarding breast massage, and Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals "discourages" its members from providing breast massage unless they have advanced training and work in a jurisdiction permitting it. The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork addresses the issue of breast massage in its Standards of Practice. It provides that certificants can "only provide therapeutic breast massage as indicated in the plan of care, and only after receiving informed voluntary consent from the client." This position provides an ethical framework and scope of practice for those individuals who become nationally certified.

In Europe, where breast exposure is not taboo, lymphatic drainage massage and Bindegewebsmassage are used on the breasts in clinical settings. It is the rare therapist in the United States who does so.

In Canada, where massage training in most provinces is more extensive and clinical than in the U.S., therapists are taught protocols to deal with breast discomfort, dysfunction, trauma, and disease. Debra Curties, the executive director of the Sutherland-Chan School in Toronto, has been one of the leading proponents and teachers of clinical breast massage in North America. She has written extensively about the many potential barriers that may face therapists contemplating providing breast massage as a client service. They may, for example, feel personal discomfort with manipulating breast tissue because of its sexualization in American society.

There is considerable uncertainty among many therapists about the purpose of and potential value derived from breast massage, especially the "wellness" or prevention model. Public perception of the components of a massage therapy session, and individual client issues and concerns, can impact a therapist's desire to perform breast massage. Does the client have adequate boundaries? Has the client been sufficiently informed about, and is able to consent to breast massage? Does the therapist feel safe in providing breast massage for the particular client?

Hannah Hanlon has written that "breast massage has been regarde

RE: Breasts

I find this a very interesting thread as I have only recently completed my first massage training course (VTCT Swedish massage). On this course we were specifically warned against touching any breast tissue (either intentionally or accidentally while massaging the back). Everyone, of course, accepted this but there was no explanation as to why. Was it because breast massage was felt to have no benefit, because it is generally felt to be culturally unacceptable in the UK and therefore unwanted by clients, or simply because it is something of a minefield - blurring the lines between therapy and sexuality in a situation in which both the therapist and the client can be left vulnerable?
I would certainly be interested to know more about this - even if it is of no practical use with clients and is only helpful when I massage my wife. She is one person who (I hope!) won't sue me - and if it can be of use to her, then I'm all for that.

RE: Breasts

I know Kate Jordan... she has some great info there. I went to the school in Florida where she teaches Pregnancy Massage.... she is very good!!!

I was taugh how to massage the breast and also how to use decongestion and myofascail techniques as well
As to the reduction of breats cancere possibilities etc, I don't know.

I teach ladies how to massage their breasts... there are books too.... It really helps just before they go for a mammogramme (spelling!) as it reduces excess fluid so they dont get squashed so much.

I also do massage for cancer patients and those who have had breast augumentation and mastectomies, I usually do Myofascail work.

I general, I feel that the breasts should not be included in a general massage, however there are exceptions and it may be wise to get written consent...

RE: Breasts

Kate Jordon's article can be found here on the MassageToday.com site. There is also [DLMURL="http://users.rcn.com/cd.dnai/a/b/bm/breastmassage.html"]this discussion[/DLMURL] which has a variety of links for those who are interested.

Mat xx

RE: Breasts

Hi Mat

You will find that there is little or no research into most types of preventative health care as it is not in the interest of the people who make there vast livings out of the unfortunate people who develop these serious and often life threatening imbalances.

I actually offered my services at my own expense many years ago to allow some clinical studies to be done on this very subject but I did not even receive any reply from one of the countries leading teaching consultants for cancer research.

It is not that difficult to work out though as it is the job of the lymphatic system to rid the body of anything that does not belong there, so if your lymphatic system is sluggish be it due to inappropriate constriction through clothing or being overstretched through infection, or people being stressed out as they seem to be these days which makes the system run below par then it obviously cannot do its job properly.

So what can we as health therapists do to help prevent one of the highest killers of women and a few men each year? we can ignore it and state it is not our job as health therapists and hope it goes away or we can tackle it head on and make sure the bodies natural defence is functioning full pelt and if it gets past that we are there to detect it straight away and refer them straight on before it gets to the life threatening stage.

To me as a practicing health therapist there was really only one choice when I considered the options, but it is up to each person to decide what they feel is the right and appropriate treatment for them to offer to the people they look after 🙂

RE: Breasts

Fashions have changed in ten years; back in the early 90's we were taught that it was acceptable to uncover the breasts of both women and men in order to massage the pectoral muscles, to apply pettrisage to the rib spaces moving laterally from the sternum, and to work around the breats to massage from the sternum via lower of ribs and up the serratus anterior muscles, which inevitably meant the breasts would unavoidably be touched; but now, as a male, I'd be too fearful of a misunderstanding to offer it, though I'd probably feel okay to work on the area if asked.
Mike G

RE: Breasts

In regards to the possible benefits of breast massage, I found this:

Massage therapists can provide gentle and effective treatment of a number of the breast complaints that women have, including post-surgical and scar work, easing of discomforts of pregnancy and breastfeeding, treatment of congestion and oedema and alleviation of many of the causes of breast pain[...] Massage drainage is used to significantly reduce discomfort from these developments.

Summary of treatment goals:

* Foster and encourage positive self-image and attitudes to breast health

SOURCE: http://www.massagelondon.org/pages/brstmsg.htm

RE: Breasts

Hi, I have read with interest all the views and info on breast massage that has been discussed. Since my training 2 years ago in VTCT Swedish Massage it was taught that certain areas of the body should not be exposed and certainly not massaged. I feel that if breast massage is of such importance that women should be taught how to massage their own breasts and not have it left to anyone to do it for them either in a medical or holistic situation. We as women are told to check our breasts on a regular basis for lumps and bumps, why not include a massage at the same time?

RE: Breasts

I have been a remedial massage therapist since 1978, and a Vodder MLD therapist since 1997. I now only use MLD in my practice. I use this on women with healthy lymphatic systems or those who have lymphoedema as a result of cancer therapy (men too). I always demonstrate how they should apply self lymphatic drainage, and put them through their paces at each treatment, to make sure they are doing it properly.

Each one admits that they would far rather get me to do it for them - I do try!

I have had two clients who suffered recurrence with lumps in the other breast - I had not detected the lumps, as my technique is very superficial and gentle - the lumps on both occasions were behind the nipple and only detected by ultra-sound - the mammogram did not pick them up. Both women continued with treatment throughout their therapy, except during radiotherapy.

Although in a perfect world, it may be the case, but I do not personally believe that breast massage can prevent cancer. I have received massage regularly over the years, but still required a lumpectomy, axillary clearance, chemo and radiotherapy in 2001. Both my both and grandmother had breast cancer. Genetics have a lot to do with the condition.

RE: Breasts

I have never stated that breast massage can prevent cancer, and I would certainly not encourage people to not continue with regular check ups either.
I also feel that there is much research to be done into causes of cancer, so much so that I support Cancer Research.

RE: Breasts

I know that this thread has almost been forgotten, but I had to revive it.

Here stateside I have women run the gambit of not wanting to take their bra off to undressing right in front of me.

My rule of thumb is if they do not sign my consent form that give me permission to massage the pectorial then I stop at the clavical. If they give me written permission I will work down to where the breast tissue starts. I have only had 2 women who have asked me to work on their full breast area. The first is my wife and the seconds husband was in the room when she requested it and was there for the massage.

I have considered adding another page to my client packet with a BIG disclaimer about a full breast massage.

RE: Breasts

Hi Allan

Don't you have legislation over there not allowing breast massage? if not then it is only an issue if you make it one, what feels comfortable to the patient should be sorted in the consultation, informed consent is a part of a consultation form or should be.

It is pointless trying to treat a dysfunction in the pects and stopping at the clavicle, that will not sort it out, you have to work as much of the muscle that the mammary gland will practically allow you with friction, gentle effleurage and MLD is not a problem anywhere in the breast area.

RE: Breasts

Keep one thing in mind about the states. All of europes un-wanted religious nuts came here from the 16th century on. Some people here still have some strange ideas about the human body. I tend to air on the side of caution when it comes to anything that cound get me carged with sexual herasment , sexual asault or shot.

Most women when I explain my policy, choose to have their pect massaged. I have had only 1 client(besides my wife) request a full chest massage. Granted this is just my first year of doing it, so I am sure that number will go up.

As far as the law goes, the state of Texas policy is as follows:

Initial Consultation Required Licensees are required to provide an initial consultation to each client prior to the first massage session and obtain the signature of the client on a consultation document. The document must include:

a statement that the licensee shall not engage in breast massage of female clients without the written consent of the client;

[link= http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/massage/mt_consult.shtm ]http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/massage/mt_consult.shtm[/link]

But that can also very from state to state, county to county and city to city. To quote on Will Shakespear - kill all the lawyer, kill them tonight.

RE: Breasts

If as massage therapists, we believe that the manipulation of muscle or other tissue is a beneficial act, then to completely ignore the chest, buttocks, and in some cases, the stomach of guys, would leave a lot of the body unmassaged.

We are either professionals, or not. During my lymphatic drainage training, we even did drainage of breast tissue - at the specific request of the women in the class. When I was in Geneva, Switzerland, we did expose the breast to go pectoral work, but the instructor always cautioned us to avoid the nipple area.

Subject to what the local laws and customs are, I believe this is an area we should not shy away from, especially if we know we can help the client!

RE: Breasts

I have been using a client intake form with frontal and rear diagrams and list of body areas. (the chest/pectoralis area is one. It asks if clients want the area "avoided" (such as due to injury, soreness or modesty), treated "normally" or want "extra" attention. Thought some might find this concept helpful.

Also, any practitioners in the Wimbledon/SW London area seeking a massage exchange partner? Contact me by email or PM.

EDITED to remove email address, which are not permitted on the open forum.