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Women's Health
BREAST HEALTH
Maintaining Breast Health Through Regular Self-massage
These simple techniques can make a difference!
by Honora Lee Wolfe, author of Better Breast Health Naturally with Chinese
Medicine
While many Americans are taught early in life the value of regular exercise
and proper diet, few are taught simple preventive health practices such
as yoga, qi gong, or self-massage. In the tradition of Chinese medicine,
however, such self-help and preventive techniques are considered an integral
part of personal health maintenance and they can make a great difference
in the long term quality of life.
One of these regimens is the practice of self-massage for breast health.
This form of massage is not widely known or used here in the United States,
nor is there any research about its long term effects. However, in Chinese
medicine, it is believed that massage over any area of the body will
improve the flow of blood and body fluids in the local area as well as
relax and rectify the flow of qi. Since many diseases, including diseases
of the breast, are at least partially due to inadequate, stagnated, or
improper flow of qi, blood, and/or body fluids, it makes sense that any
practice which helps maintain the proper flow of these substances will
help maintain the health of the tissues or areas being massaged. Furthermore,
for a woman to practice this or any sort of self-massage requires her
to stop, relax, and take a few minutes of time for herself. This "down
time" is a rare commodity for many busy women and that alone can make
a positive difference in anyone's health.
Below is described one self-massage protocol that any woman can do in
10-15 minutes. It is a group of six simple movements that can be learned
by anyone and can make a difference in anyone's health.
- Gently massaging any lumps within the breasts for 10 minutes. Then
press and knead the center of the breastbone between the nipples. This
is acupuncture point Shan Zhong (Conception Vessel 17). It regulates
all the qi in the body and especially chest and breast qi. It also
calms the spirit. Do this 100-200 times.
- Knead the underarms with the tips of the fingers, first one underarm
and then the other. Do this 100 times on each side. Three important
acupuncture channels or meridians flow through this area under the
arm and it is also an important area for lymphatic drainage. Then push
the breasts with both palms simultaneously. Push lightly from every
side of the breasts towards the nipples for two or three minutes on
each side.
- Rub the breasts lightly in circles. First rub the circles from the
outside to the inside. Then reverse directions and rub from inside
to outside. Do this until the breasts feel warm.
- Rub the sides of the chest from the armpits downward to the center
of the upper abdomen Do this until these areas feel warm.Finally, rub
the abdomen in a circle in a clockwise direction around the navel for
approximately five minutes.
The key to success with Chinese self-massage therapy is perseverance.
Although a single massage may provide some symptomatic relief on that
very day, it is repeated self-massage day after day which can make stable
and lasting changes.
If you would like more information about self-massage, see Chinese Self-
massage: The Easy Way to Health by Dr. Fan Ya-li, published by Blue Poppy
Press, a Prevention Book Club Selection. If you would like more information
about breast health, see Better Breast Health Naturally with Chinese
Medicine by Honora Lee Wolfe, also published by Blue Poppy Press.
Your path to radiant health...
from motherhood to menopause.
Lorraine Harris's Asheville acupuncture clinic is conveniently located
in South Asheville. Ms. Harris is a licensed acupuncturist and
Chinese herbalist and Nationally Board Certified Practitioner of Chinese
Medicine. She is the only fertility specialist in Western North Carolina (WNC)
offering The Fertile Soul Method™ and Mei Zen™ facial rejuvenation
program.
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