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Breast massage is a useful tool in maintaining the health of your breasts. According to the Texas Institute of Functional Medicines, breast massage is the act of slowly kneading and stroking the breasts, using varying amounts of mild to moderate pressure in gentle lifting and compressive movements. You can perform breast massage on yourself or with the help of a partner. Its primary purpose is to rid your body of the harmful toxins that interfere with your health; however, there are many cosmetic and therapeutic benefits to breast massage as well.

Appearance Benefits

Breast massage is useful in maintaining the shape of your breasts and preventing sagging. According to the Ayurvedic Cure website, massaging your breasts stimulates circulation, which is necessary for keeping your breast tissue healthy. Massage also helps break up benign cysts, strengthens the muscle tissue of the chest and builds resiliency in the ligaments. With breast massage, your breasts will be firmer and less likely to sag. The result is a more attractive bust line.

Therapeutic Benefits

Breast massage is also a good healing technique for aching breasts. Because it employs a soft, gentle touch, breast massage can be quite therapeutic. According to the Ayurvedic Cure website, "Simply rubbing an area can have a demonstrable analgesic effect." Massage eases soreness in the tissues, reduces pain and swelling in the breasts and relaxes tightness or tension in the ligaments. Breast massage is particularly useful in soothing the pain associated with breast scarring.

Health Benefits

There are also several health benefits associated with breast massage. According to the Texas Institute of Functional Medicines, breast massage is a reliable means of flushing out toxins from the body's lymphatic system. Because toxins impede healthy circulation in the breasts, toxic buildup could account for an increased chance of developing cancer. Breast massage stimulates drainage of the breasts' lymphatic system, which eliminates harmful waste products and allows nutrient-rich blood to travel to the breast tissue.

Prevention Benefits

As nice as it is to have a healthy, attractive bust line, there are more serious issues to consider than how your breasts look and feel. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), there were 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 40,170 deaths from breast cancer in 2009. It is important that you familiarize yourself with the shape and feel of your breasts in order to detect any abnormalities. Early detection could be the key to saving your life.

Regular breast massage, coupled with monthly self breast examinations, is a good way to check your breasts for changes or irregularities. With breast cancer being one of the most common cancers among women in the United States, it is crucial that you not neglect this important aspect of your health.