Breast massage

[Dazzeling beauty]

I have a client who I recently started to see. She had a mascotomy (sp). All things are going well, cancer gone, ect. Her doctor said it was ok for her to have massage where the breast was removed. I know this is probably very helpfull for her healing but I am not trained nor do I even want to do that.

She came for her session, never having mentioned that she would even want this type of massage, asking me to do this. I said I don't know enough and there are specific training for this but she seemed sort of pissed because apparently her doctor didn't make a big deal of it.

Side note: there are no laws in my state concerning massage.

So, outside myself being uncomfortable even doing it, is it something that requires special training?

Thanks!

 

[Smoochy "Tin Machine"]

If she had a mastectomy, that's no longer breast massage. It's scar massage. Do you have training in that?

Either way, if you're not comfortable, you have the right to set limits regarding your own practice of massage. How about seeking out someone in your area who specializes in cancer massage? That way, you can have a referral name & number available. People accept "No" easier when other options are offered. Another good referral for her would be lymph drainage therapy. It helps rebuild the immune system after cancer treatment, and can incorporate scar release techniques as well.

 

[Noir]

I was trained in breast massage back in school (16 yrs ago) but have never done it. Personally, I would refer her out to someone who specializes in lymphatic drainage. If she wants to stay with you, then perhaps you could work on clearing out the tissue and reducing adhesions.

Angie

 

[Billy G]

I would agree, find someone who specializes in lymphatic drainage and refer her there. Or if you can do scar tissue that might help.

Just for reading, and if you are interested. This is the book I was trained with. It is quite good

http://www.curties-overzet.com/breast.htm

 

[2cold scorpio]

It's my understanding that most scar tissue isn't completely healed for a few months after the surgery,
so depending on how long its actually been it may be something else to let her know, as well
as you being uncomfortable with meeting her request.

There are also scar creams out on the market that she may want to look into which she could use for herself on a regular basis besides seeing a Lymphatic Drainage MT.

At the very least the Lymph Drainage work should help if she has any problem with swelling in the arms (more likely if they removed all the lymph nodes). Plus help if she has any
range of motion restriction in the upper body from the surgery too.

 

[elfreda]

Softhearted, I do mastectomy massage. I took the courses that are given by Cheryl Chapman, a Holistic RN and Massage Therapist who also spent ten years as an oncology nurse. http://cherylchapman.com/

There are several easy, gentle techniques to help loosen your client's shoulder, neck and chest.
Two of my favorites are:
Have the client lying supine on the table with the MT sitting alongside her at the shoulder and breast area. He/she then slides one of both hands underneath the shoulder on the affected side. The MT then cups his/her hands so their fingers are loosely curled along the rhomboids and mid traps between to the vertebral border of the scap and the spinal column and "fluffs" her fingers up and down gently. This move really loosens up the tightness and congestion both posteriorly and anteriorly.
Then you keep one hand under the shoulder and slide it up slightly so it is resting under the superior portion of the scap or even a little higher along the supraspinatus area and place your other hand on the acromioclavicular area and then glide your hands (anteriorly and posteriorly) all the way across their body. So you would be sitting say, on the left side and would glide your hands over to the right shoulder (anteriorly and posteriorly) and then glide back to the originating side- this is all done with light pressure and can be repeated several times. Your hand on top would follow along the client's left clavicle, manubrium,and right clavicle.
I hope this makes sense because these two moves are so soothing and comforting. I have found this to be extremely effective for someone recovering from open heart surgery too.
This will help you give her some relief while you both decide whether she should find a MT with Lymphatic Drainiage or Mastectomy Massage training.
I now use these strokes on other clients because it is so soothing and nurturing.
Learning to give mastectomy massage has been so rewarding and I would strongly recommend this course to anyone who has an interest in it.
If this is a client you would like to continue to work with maybe you can find one of Cheryl's courses in your area. ( she lives in New Jersey, I believe, and has a lot of courses in the surrounding area.) That is why I took the course initially.

 

[karla C]

Beast Massage

First off, if it is something you are uncomfortable with, then you need to back away and send them somewhere else.

There is mastectomy massage as well as lymphatic drainage. There is also scar release which is part of Myofascial Release. In either case, you are working on scars, not breasts.

As far as breast massage goes, it is difficult to find legitimate training. I do know someone that used to do a lot of it as he kept getting referrals from a plastic surgeon. As it turned out, his massage of the breasts allowed the feeling to return quicker after surgeries. Of course, he demanded a doctor's referral to do the work.

In an area where you have no massage laws, and are worried about what is proper and what is not, if you are thinking about doing the work, create something on paper for the client to sign. Basically, create a release that lets them know that they have requested such work and that it is still non-sexual and for therapeutic purposes only.

In Florida, it is completely legal to work on someone without draping. If (and I mean IF) I am comfortable with this situation, I have my client read, and sign a piece of paper stating that this does not change the scope of the massage and it is still non-sexual and for therapeutic purposes only. I also have to sign it to show I am willing to provide the work.

By all means, if you are willing to do the work, Cover Your Ass (and I don't mean with a towel).