Breast Massage can be an important component to preventing breast cancer! A recent study* of 4,700 women found that women who wore brassieres had an increased chance of acquiring breast cancer. It is very possible that the constant pressure that the bra puts on the breast is limiting the flow of toxins that need to be released, resulting in the increased cancer rate. Any more than a gentle amount of pressure can flatten the lymphatic vessel and stop the toxic flow from the breast.
The Study found the highest rate of breast cancer in those who wore bras 24 hours a day, and the lowest rate in those who never wore bras. The study suggested that women should wear their bra less than 12 hours a day.
* Singer, Sydney Ross. Dressed to Kill: The Link Between Breast Cancer andBras, Garden City Park, NY: Avery Pub. Group, 1995
The left side demonstrates the vascular system of arteries and veins. The right side shows the lymph nodes and direction of lymphatic flow away from the breast.
Your breasts are essentially structures made up of fat and gland, mounted to the female's chest wall with a delicate system of ligaments. The circulation in the breast is much the same as the rest of the body consisting of arteries,veins, and lymphatic vessels. In short, the arteries bring fresh blood too the cells carrying along with it the nutrition that the breast and its tissues need for proper health and they could benefit from breast massage. The veins bring the blood back from the cells along with cellular waste and toxins. The lymphatics are designed to return the toxin and other waste materials that lie in the intercellular fluid between the cells.
Now that you have a better understanding of your breasts, it is important that you apply this knowledge to your health. The four-step procedure shown on this page will give you a simple massage technique that can be done, by yourself,in the privacy of your own home. Although almost any gentle massage technique will be of benefit, these four techniques should be a part of your personal regimen.The purpose of these techniques is to flush fluids from the breast, (both venous and intercellular), bring nutrition to the tissues and specifically remove the toxins via the lymphatic system. Also, these techniques will enhance the health and elasticity of the support ligaments, which will in turn provide you with better breast support.
More specifically, step One is a gentle draining motion designed to drain the breasts lymphatic system and is possibly the most important of the four steps.Steps number Two and Four are to assist in the movement of venous fluids. Feel free to experiment with these to movements and find what is comfortable for you. Step Three is simply to help keep your support ligaments in good health and assist in the fight against gravity.
This procedure should be done at least twice a week. It can be done on bare skin, but you may find that using some vegetable oil may be more comfortable. Stay away from mineral-based or scented oils.
Breast Massage
Step One: Use your fingers to gently smooth away from the nipple. These movements travel from the nipple and directly away using no more pressure than what you would apply to your eyelid. Any more pressure would flatten the lymphatic vessel and stop the flow of toxins and fluids. Also, make this stroke slow, not fast, for it to be effective.
Step Two: Gently massage the breast with a kneading-like motion, using lifting and pressing movements.
Step Three: Slowly and carefully use your hands to twist the breast in a clock-wise and counterclockwise direction, being careful not to put too much tension on the breast.
Step Four: Use both hands as shown to apply several, moderate pressure,compressions to move out more pressure fluids.
And that complete the Breast Massage to help you prevent breast cancer!
To download a free video on how to do this, go to Body Mechanics School of Myotherapy and Massage.
Breast Massage- I do it with the Creme!!!