5 benefits of breast massage

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Breast massage is a tool you can use for many purposes, from identifying breast cancer, relieving muscle pain to improving your breastfeeding process. Even just 15 minutes of massage is enough to bring many benefits to you. You can do your own breast massage. There's very little risk involved, so you can do it as often as you want. Here's more information on why you might want a breast massage, how to do it, and when you should see your doctor.

1. Why should women massage breasts?

1.1. Breastfeeding women More and more studies have shown that breast massage in lactating women can bring many beneficial effects.
For example, in one study, a group of first-time mothers were given breast massages for 30 minutes, twice daily for 10 days after giving birth. Compared with the control group that did not receive breast massage, these mothers had less breast tenderness.
Not only that, their babies will drink more breast milk and breast milk itself contains less sodium.
In a study from 2004, researchers found that breast milk quality was significantly increased when breast massage was performed during the first year after birth. The ingredients in milk are improved when breast massage for mothers include:
Thick ingredients. Fat . Casein concentration. Total energy. The most beneficial ingredients were found between the first day and 11 months postpartum. The only component of milk that remains unchanged during lactation, whether early or late, is its lactose content.
Massage can also help improve lactation. An older study from 1994 theorized that a combination of breastfeeding and breast massage worked to empty the milk ducts and stimulate the breasts to produce more milk.
Massage can also help prevent and improve the treatment of problems such as engorgement, blocked milk ducts or infection of breast tissue, mastitis.
1.2. Early detection of breast cancer Breast self-examination and massage are ways to help detect breast cancer in its earliest stages. According to one study, about 25% of women discovered their breast cancer through self-examination and another 18% of women discovered the cancer by chance.
Finding cancer at an early stage can improve your treatment outcomes. Therefore, forming a habit of massaging your breasts is a very useful thing.
1.3. Breast massage anti-sagging, improving appearance Some people think, breast massage as a way to improve sagging. They claim that you can increase blood flow to the breast tissues through massage to help prevent sagging. They also use special oils, like olive oil, to help improve skin firmness and elasticity.
The proof of this is unconfirmed. However, in one study, researchers found that stretch marks can be prevented by massaging the skin with oils.
In the study, pregnant women were asked to apply almond oil on their body without massage, the rest will massage their body for 15 minutes a day with almond oil.
At the end of the study, the women who used the oil combined with the massage had less stretch marks. However, almond oil itself does not provide too many benefits.

1.4. Lymphatic system Breast tissue extends all the way to your underarms. There are many lymph nodes in this area of ​​your body, and massaging them can help stimulate the lymphatic system.
The lymphatic system has the function of helping the body to remove toxins from your body. If you've had surgery on your lymph nodes, you may experience fluid buildup known as lymphedema. You may hear breast massage as manual lymphatic drainage.
According to research sources, more than 1 in 5 people with breast cancer develop lymphedema. Symptoms include swelling in the arms, breasts, or chest. Usually, the cause of lymphedema is surgery or radiation. Standard treatment usually uses compression bandages to reduce swelling.
A 2004 study investigated a combination of bandaging and massage for the treatment of breast-related lymphedema. The researchers found that the addition of massage was significantly more effective than simply dressing.
Even if you don't have lymphedema, a breast massage can help your body get rid of toxins that drain in the lymphatic system.
1.5. Muscle pain If you feel tightness, chest massage can also help relieve tension in the chest muscles. Perhaps you engage in activities, exercises, or sports that strain the pectoral muscles.
The pectoral muscles are triangular in shape and are located below your breasts. If you have tension in your back, you can also relieve it by stretching your chest muscles.
An attached breast massage can provide a more lasting sense of relaxation than just a back massage. In fact, if you just massage your back, your brain will still have a feeling of tension in your chest when you finish the back massage.
As a result, the brain can send tension signals back to your back to rebalance the force in the two areas of your body.

2. How to do breast massage

You can use different massage methods depending on the benefits you want to get.
2.1. Breastfeeding There isn't necessarily a right or wrong way to do breast massage in lactating women to help with lactation. Massage can be used with or without hand pressure. Hand pressure is when you use your hands to express milk, rather than using a pump or nursing.
Follow these steps:
Focus on one breast in each rep. Place four fingers of one hand on top of the breast and four fingers of the other hand on the bottom. Massage the breast in a circular motion. Warming your hands will help achieve the best results. Move care to the other breast, continuing to proceed in a circular motion. You can even grasp the breast with your hand and gently roll or knead the breast. Try using your fingertips to tap and massage all over your breasts. If you want to perform manual expressing, place your index finger behind the base of the nipple. Bring your fingers together while applying gentle pressure on the udder, push the milk towards the nipple, express breast milk. Adjust your position if needed. Squeeze rhythmically, corresponding to the heart rate. Expressing milk by hand before and after pumping can also help empty your breasts. 2.2. To detect cancer If you want to check your breasts for signs of cancer, it's important to remember that your breasts actually extend below the armpit. Don't forget to always examine the entire breast, including the nipple, areola, and this enlargement.
While you are having the checkup, tell your husband about any lumps or bumps they may notice.
Follow these steps:
Stand in front of a mirror and observe your entire chest. Look for any size difference, color change, or shape difference. Place your hands along the sides of your body, then, on your hips and overhead to view from different angles. While still looking in the mirror, place one hand behind your head and place three fingers of the other hand on your breast. Move your fingers in small circles across your breast tissue. Use light, medium, and strong hand pressure as you move your fingers to check all areas. Move your fingers to the underarm area and continue to form small circles as you walk your fingers along the way. Repeat the massage on the other breast. Finish the massage by squeezing each nipple to see if there is any discharge or pain. If you experience one of these symptoms, see your doctor. 2.3. Breast massage prevents sagging, improves appearance Again, there are very few official studies showing that breast massage will help change the shape of the breasts, preventing sagging. However, there is still evidence that an oil-based breast massage can help prevent stretch marks, at least in pregnant women. It can also be beneficial in other ways.
Researchers recommend starting a massage with almond oil in early pregnancy for 15 minutes a day. Only about 20% of women who follow this regimen develop stretch marks.
In the control group that did not follow the above regimen, 41% of women had stretch marks, so this method cut the rate of stretch marks in half.

2.4. To circulate lymph nodes Lymphatic drainage massage begins with the underarm area under your arm. This is the area where you can feel the lymph nodes under the skin.
Continue massaging clockwise upwards on the right breast and counterclockwise upwards on the left breast. This direction is similar to that of the lymphatic system.
Your doctor may use both hands to apply gentle pressure in gentle strokes throughout the breasts and under the arms. After completing the circle, the doctor can use both hands to stroke the breast inward several times.
You can also try this massage yourself. You may even feel the lymph nodes drain to the touch. If you've just had recent surgeries or other problems, it's best to leave this type of massage to the professionals.
2.5. For muscle tension Breast massage and pectoral muscles are relatively similar but slightly different. Breast massage will include nipples, but pectoral massage will not
When working on the pectoral muscles, the masseur can focus more on the three areas where these muscles attach to the body. Although you can relieve muscle tension on your own, a massage therapist can help you massage your muscles better for the best relief.
If you feel uncomfortable being massaged in this area by a stranger, that's understandable. First, a professional should inform you if he or she is planning to massage your breasts and must obtain your consent. Breast massage is not a routine part of professional massage.
For people with medical conditions that need help with lymphatic damage, tell your doctor to get a chest massage.

3. What are the possible hazards?

There are not many risks associated with massaging your breasts. If you've had breast cancer or breast surgery, you should be careful around any lumps, scars, or areas that have recently received radiation. In these cases, it is best to consult a massage therapist who is licensed to practice breast massage.
If you suspect you may have mastitis, see your doctor. Massage can be helpful, but you need medicine to clear up the infection.
Mastitis usually appears in the first few months after giving birth. Other symptoms include fever, chills, pain and swelling of the breast.

4. Summary

Breast massage can ease a range of conditions, from blocked milk ducts to muscle pain, it can even save your life. It is generally safe to do breast massage yourself.
However, if you are dealing with some special medical condition, it is better to consult a specialist for regular care. If you notice any new lumps or unusual changes in your breast, let your doctor know as soon as possible to rule out breast cancer.
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