There are a number of potential breast health and mental health benefits to this type of massage. Here are some of the main reasons experts say breast massage can help you.
Keep in mind, though, there really isn’t scientific research on breast massage—so think of the benefits as anecdotal. Breast massage isn’t harmful, though, so it’s totally fine to experiment with it.
It can relieve tension from the breasts
“From an Ayurvedic perspective, breast massage has a lot to do with releasing tension,” Berman says. “If you don’t get massage, your breasts can get stagnant, since they’re made up primarily of fatty tissue.” Manipulating the area adds movement, and can help clear the channels where fat builds up, she explains. Stagnation in your fat tissue can contribute to benign lumps or bumps forming, and bringing heat and additional circulation to the area may help break that up, according to Berman.
Breast massage can improve your circulation and help with breastfeeding.
Massaging the breasts is helpful to stimulate blood flow to the mammary glands, says Jamie Bacharach, a licensed massage therapist and medical acupuncturist. “Circulation is important in the breast area because it has been demonstrated to release oxytocin, a hormone which inhibits stress and depression,” Bacharach says.
Not only that, but it can help new moms who choose to breastfeed in a big way: Regularly massaging the breasts can keep the milk, along with the blood flow, moving through the breasts and may make the whole process easier and less painful.
Breast massage may aid lymphatic drainage.
The breasts are part of the lymphatic system (so are the armpits), which can become congested and have blockages, particularly if you’ve had a surgery in the chest or breast area. Massaging and releasing stagnation in the chest area can help detox the lymphatic system—you may feel a release from your sinuses and feel the need to blow your nose afterward, Berman says. It’s important to work or have the practitioner work especially on the armpits, where the lymph nodes are concentrated, for additional release, Berman adds. (If you have had surgery in the chest or breast area, speak with your doctor about breast massage first.)
Breast massage can provide relief from swelling.
During your period or if you’re breastfeeding, you may experience achy, sore boobs that could use a little bit of TLC from breast massage.
What’s great about Ayurvedic breast massage, Berman says, is that by using oil, and then finishing off the massage with heat (a bath, shower, sauna, or hot towel), you’re opening up the pores and allowing the oil (which, at the spa, is typically blended with herbs) to seep into your skin and deeper into your tissues. “If you have tenderness or swelling, this oil application followed by a bath or shower that allows the oil to seep deeper in will help with pain and inflammation,” Berman says.
Breast massage can be beneficial for stress relief.
A massage should be meditative, and especially a massage to such a sensitive area. “Remember to touch with love and compassion,” Berman says. “The intention in your hands will leave an impression on your nervous system and you want that to be positive healing energy.”
As long as you’re not approaching the massage with anxious or angry thoughts, it can be a great stress reliever.
