We all have
breasts and they need as much, if not more attention than the rest of our
bodies. Personal emotional responses to breasts are woven together with culture
and media driven imagery which has skewed our view of breast massage.
In the UK
there are just under 57,000 new cases of breast cancer each year and 11,500
deaths. There is a 76% survival rate and 23% of cases are preventable.
Approximately 400 cases of breast cancer per year are in men.
Massage
therapists can play an invaluable role in helping clients promote and maintain
healthy breast tissue, bring awareness to changes that occur in the tissue and
provide relief from the swelling, pain and limited range of motion often
experienced by those recovering from mastectomy or other breast surgeries
Many emotions will accompany a breast cancer diagnosis. Patients are often more concerned about the physical and emotional toll on their loved ones than on themselves. Many will cover up their fears out of concern for others, and so often need someone to talk to, cry with or be touched by. A massage therapist can offer a safe space in which a client can drop the cover, release their emotional and physical tension, express their fears and concerns, and gain strength and resilience for the journey ahead.
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Your clinical treatment for breast cancer may involve surgical options such as:-
- Lumpectomy
- Lymph
node removal or dissection
- Mastectomy
- Reconstruction
and/or chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Breast massage can be used where any of these apply, but techniques and timing of sessions may need to be adjusted in each individual case.
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- bridges
the gap between surgical intervention and post op rehabilitation
- releases
fascial restrictions
- helps
to prevent capsular adhesions
- reduces
oedema and swelling
- helps
to minimise scar tissue formation, helping tissue to soften and realign
- can
increase range of motion
- reduces
pain
- eases
anxiety
- restores
feelings of normalcy and self acceptance
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During the breast massage session I will use a variety of techniques including
- manual
lymphatic drainage
- muscle
energy techniques
- myofascial
release
- effleurage
- scar
tissue mobilization
- cross
fibre friction
- oncology
massage
- breathwork
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