In this article, we take a look at the role of Chest Massage and Breast Massage in relation to so-called Top Surgery.
Mind that Top Surgery is about either removing or augmenting breast tissue and reshaping the chest area to create a more masculine or alternatively a more feminine appearance. It may be applied as part of Gender-Affirming Surgery but also for other reasons, such as the surgical removal of breast tissue in the case of breast cancer (mastectomy).
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Breast and Chest Massage can help to alleviate upper back, neck and shoulder pains and/or help in recovery from shoulder, neck and back injuries. Massaging breast tissue and chest muscles (pectoral muscles) can also help to improve breastfeeding results, gain a better posture, improve range of motion for the neck, shoulders and arms, and enhance breathing capacity. Mind that the nipples and areolas are usually not massaged, unless there are scar tissue issues.
Another important reason to carrying out Chest Massage is for Emotional De-Armoring purposes. The chest is a location of our body that may react strongly on grief, anxiety, traumatic experiences, heartbreak, longing, rage, or sadness.
Not only can the chest area become overly tight and “feel heavy,” it’s also the region that is associated with shallow breathing, which typically brings discomfort, lack of energy, and in the long run possibly also illness, such as high blood pressure or palpitations. Chest breathing or shallow breathing also unconsciously keeps us in anxiety-mode.
Hence, “opening up the chest region” is the primary way of De-Armoring this area, which is done by intensively mobilizing and stretching the chest muscles, alongside the intercostal and shoulder muscles. In addition, massage and acupressure will be used.
Breast/Chest Massage can also be helpful in either preparing or recovering from Top Surgery. As a technique for preparation of Top Surgery, Chest and Breast Massage can reduce anxiety, increase range of motion, joint flexibility, and increased lymph and blood circulation, while it also helps to make breast and chest tissues softer and enhance tissue malleability, which all can help speeding up the recovery process after surgery.
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As for recovering from Top Surgery, such as after a chest masculinization procedure (removal of breast tissue) or breast augmentation, the chest and breast areas are typically painful and uncomfortable, which limits mobility for a substantial amount of time (weeks or even months).
Gentle massage therapy of the area can combat tissue and muscle numbness, stiffness, tensions and pains, improve circulation, loosen-up adhesions, reduce inflammation, reduce scar sensitivity, and increase range of motion and normal sensitivity of the area and upper limbs. In addition, scar tissue remediation can help to soften, flatten, and break up scar tissue which helps to improve its appearance in the long run.
Breast and Chest Massage can be learned as a self-massage, but it can also be given by a professional massage therapist. In the latter case — if preferred — the massage can be given with the receiver lying under a sheet to remain covered during the session. The session time is usually between thirty and sixty minutes.
Additional related treatments that can be integrated or combined to support recovering from Top Surgery may include heat therapy (such as warm herbal compresses and heating pads) and chest stretches.
Nevertheless, it’s important to have healed fully from surgery before starting Breast and Chest Massage therapy. It’s advised to first have a check-up and subsequent approval from the surgeon who performed the Top Surgery. In general, gentle massage could start within two to three weeks after surgery.
