​safe and ethical breast massage

The Many Benefits of​ Safe and Ethical Breast Massage

Breast massage is an often-overlooked but essential form of therapeutic bodywork. Whether you're recovering from surgery, managing discomfort, or simply seeking a more complete approach to wellness, this work can provide meaningful support.

👉 Explore what this work can offer you.

Did you know that breast (or chest) massage is within the scope of practice for Licensed Massage Therapists (LMTs)? I not only offer this work but also train LMTs who receive specialized education in breast and chest massage. Advanced techniques can be used to support breast health, ease post-surgical recovery, and address conditions like lymphedema or post-mastectomy discomfort.

Regular breast massage can help reduce congestion, improve circulation, and support overall wellness at any stage of life. Whether as a general treatment to encourage lymphatic flow or a more focused approach with specific therapeutic goals, this work offers meaningful benefits. It can also help clients develop a deeper awareness of their own breast and chest tissue, promoting long-term health and comfort.

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What Traditional Massage Misses is Now Within Reach.

Bridging the Gap in Women's Wellness—Comprehensive Breast Care

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Wellness Focused Breast & Chest Massage For Men & Women

Since 2014, I have offered the option to include full, therapeutic chest and breast massage within any treatment. For breastfeeding mothers, those undergoing breast cancer treatment, or cancer survivors, I provide specialized treatments and manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) to support your well-being.

I invite you to read more, learn about this approach, and feel free to ask any questions or share any reservations you may have. Discover why so many clients choose this option and feel empowered in doing so—read their thoughts below.

Chest and breast massage is some of the most profound and powerful work that I do. Since 2017, I have been teaching these methods and essential communication skills to therapists nationwide, helping more people experience the benefits of this work.

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Massage Modalities which include Chest & Breast Massage

Massage modalities which often include full breast and chest massage within a full body massage:

  • Lomi Lomi

  • Ayurvedic Massage

  • Esalen Massage

  • Manual Lymphatic drainage is "massage modality commonly used to specifically treat breast tissue issues.

  • Myofacial Release (MFR) is a massage modality commonly used to release restrictions in tissue.  It can improve breathing and supports movement in the chest, neck and shoulders. 

  • Oncology Massage

  • Prenatal / Postpartum Massage

  • Many massage modalities include some treatment for the chest muscles while avoiding breast tissue.

Embrace Yourself, Your Body, Your Choice—Breathe and Just Be.

Experience the Transformative Power of a Complete Full-Body Massage

Benefits of General Chest & Breast Massage Within a Wellness-Focused Massage Session

Supporting Relaxed Breathing and Full-Body Tension Relief

Massage of the anterior chest wall facilitates deep, unrestricted breathing. This is the most effective way I know to promote truly relaxed breathing, which in turn reduces tension not only in the chest but throughout the entire body. Full chest massage also helps relieve tension in the throat, providing both physical and emotional benefits.

Enhancing Circulation and Breast Health

Massage and mobilization of the soft breast tissue support circulation, which is essential for overall chest and breast health. Since breasts have no muscles of their own, they rely on movement to maintain healthy blood and lymphatic flow. However, many women wear bras that restrict movement and actively constrict circulation. Regular massage can counteract these effects, promoting healthy circulation.

Supporting Posture, Injury Recovery, and Muscle Health

Massage of the anterior chest wall is highly effective for treating injuries to the chest, shoulders, and neck. Applying consistent, firm pressure to the muscles beneath the breast tissue and over the ribcage helps tone and relax these muscles, similar to massage techniques used on the posterior ribcage and other parts of the body. This work enlivens the ribcage, providing better support for the shoulders and neck, relieving discomfort, and assisting in injury recovery.

Encouraging a Healthy Relationship with One’s Body

Chest and breast massage allows individuals to experience their breasts as a natural and integrated part of their body. Receiving professional, neutral, and non-sexual touch can be a profoundly affirming experience, offering relief from societal stigmas and expectations surrounding the chest.

Additional Benefits of Chest & Breast Massage

✔ Promotes Body Confidence & Normalcy – Receiving breast massage can help develop a sense of normalcy, confidence, and control related to breast touch, which can be especially powerful for individuals with a history of trauma, provided they are ready.

✔ Improves Posture – Reduces tension in the chest, allowing for a more open, relaxed posture.

✔ Relieves PMS & Cyclical Breast Tenderness – Provides welcome relief from hormonal discomfort.

✔ Encourages Self-Exams & Body Awareness – Receiving professional breast massage can help women become more comfortable with self-examinations and normal breast tissue changes.

✔ Supports Pregnancy, Nursing & Breastfeeding:

  • Reduces discomfort

  • Improves skin tone

  • Increases breast milk production

  • Relieves engorgement

  • Unblocks plugged milk ducts

  • Enhances drainage during breastfeeding

  • Reduces the appearance of scars and stretch marks

✔ May Support Breast Cancer Prevention – Many believe that supporting healthy circulation in the breast tissue may reduce the risk of malignancy by preventing chronic poor drainage.

✔ Aids in Early Detection – Experienced massage therapists may help clients recognize changes in breast tissue that warrant medical follow-up, potentially offering life-saving recommendations.

✔ Supports Recovery from Surgery & Injury – Massage can help alleviate pain, scarring, nerve irritation, and movement restrictions resulting from surgeries such as biopsies, lumpectomies, mastectomies, breast reductions, and augmentations. It also promotes healing from bruising and other injuries.

✔ Manages Swelling & Lymphedema – Lymphatic drainage massage is effective in reducing swelling, particularly in cases of lymphedema.

Testimonials from clients who have received this work

  • On returning to my practice, it’s amazing to me how many women are really ready to literally pull back the drape and embrace breast work! They are ready for something I feel they have been denied forever. Embracing their beauty and strength in a way of their choosing. I find it wonderful and fascinating and sad at the same time. If that makes sense.

    I find it sad that it is a novelty for women to feel so excited about being themselves and embracing the beautiful creatures we are because we and our bodies are repressed by society.  On one hand there are so many sexual representations in advertising yet in a therapeutic environment it has been continually overlooked and frowned upon and never taught. So sad women are repressed yet wonderful that instantly they are responding with a magnificent YES! to the work. Part of it is they have said they trust me completely because they already know me so perhaps this is a natural progression of my work.

    - Carol R.  Client, Therapist and Breast Course Student

  • "I am so thankful to Edward who has helped my healing journey immensely. Due to years of accumulated stress, personal circumstances and old injuries, my mind and body really needed help to get better. Not only is he a very gifted and skilled healer, he genuinely cares about his clients and his work is much more than just dealing with the physical problems. I have seen him twice so far…..I had tried many types of therapy and they were successful in their different ways but I needed something more to release the tight muscles and blocked energy. Edward was able to do that in a safe and nurturing environment….The emotional detox afterwards was a little challenging but once I get over that, it was as if a 20 year old grey cloud had been lifted from me. Sometimes we are so used to living with our various physical and emotional problems, carrying it around with us, it becomes normality. I am going to carry on my treatment and I have confidence that with a combination of a healthier lifestyle and better mindset this will bring about a total renewal in my mind, body and spirit. I am grateful to Edward for all his help in changing my life"
    ~ J. C.

  • The chest and breast massage was one of those “Aha!” Moments for me. I strongly felt the connection of my fears, insecurities, powerlessness and how it was being stored in my body. Specifically in my chest, neck, rib cage and shoulders, all of this manifesting in physical and emotional pain.

    Edward provides that safe place, his integrity of touch enables you to feel at ease to release all sorts of emotions and receive a sense of well being both mentally and physically.

    Being a private and sensitive person, I have blocked and suppressed feelings for such a long time. Each time I have the chest and breast massage, I feel a release and nurturing feeling that is hard to describe, but so very comforting.  I highly recommend this experience !
    ~ Eileen W.

  • "When I had my first full chest and breast massage, I had an emotional release. I felt a welling up of grief that I didn't know I was carrying in my body. I thought, "Why have I never experienced touch like this before? Why have my breasts been confined and sexualized and hidden from view and from touch!? "Receiving full chest massage l felt a freedom that even now is hard to describe. Here is my whole self. Finally."
    ~ Rachael

  • "I also had the experience of feeling "more whole" when I received this work. lt's a tremendous gift to feel desexualized through touch."
    ~ Carrie

  • Edward is amazing and offers a service that is absolutely unique, respectful, and so necessary.
    ~ A. W.

  • "The first time I was asked if I would like to include my chest and breasts I answered in the affirmative and have allowed its inclusion ever since in all my massage sessions.  For me it completes the entire experience. l feel more open and expansive in an extremely safe environment. Often, we don't realize where we are holding pain. The chest and breasts are part of our bodies. Why should they be left out of the massage when the person to whom the breasts and chest belongs says it’s OK? I have become that much more comfortable with myself and find that I am holding less stress and tension, which I would never have realized had it not been for having them worked on. "
    ~ Ginny P.

  • "My first breast/chest massage was such a wonderful experience...it felt amazing afterwards.... I have mentioned it to clients of mine and one day when I was chatting up with a doctor friend we realized we both have had a breast massage and we sat there for 30 minutes chatting how much we liked it and benefited from it. If you haven't tried it, and have been thinking about it.... JUST DO IT"                  

    Jennifer Chan, LMT in Washington State

Breaking Barriers: A Word About Gender and the Case for This Male Therapist

Choosing a Male vs. Female Therapist for Breast Massage

Choosing a male vs. female therapist for breast massage is a valid question, and there’s no single right answer—except, perhaps, don’t make the choice based on gender. Make it based on experience and professionalism. Here’s my perspective:

I "discovered" breast massage over 15 years ago while studying massage for the first time in Germany. When I say "discovered," it wasn’t quite that. In a sense, there was nothing to discover—it was just done that way. No one made a big deal about it; it was simply part of the work. Not knowing much about massage beyond enjoying receiving it, I thought it was enlightened and completely normal. It wasn’t until I returned home and started studying in the U.S. that I realized how much stigma, fear, and misunderstanding existed around it.

As an adult male therapist, I’m already grappling with age and gender biases in my second career. I believe it’s important to define oneself, rather than letting stereotypes do that. I’m dedicated to breaking down barriers and promoting acceptance across genders.

While not all male therapists may approach this work with the same mindset or sensitivity, I bring over 12 years of licensed experience and train other therapists nationally in this work. With 5 NCBTMB-certified courses to date, plus ethics training, I’m proud to be recognized as one of a small, growing community of pioneers in breast massage. In recent years, I've been encouraged by the increase in gender-diverse students and clients. My priority is client-focused care that embraces individual empowerment and choice.

I understand that some clients may feel more comfortable with a same-gender therapist, and that’s completely understandable. Thankfully, I teach many of them for those who have that preference. My greater goal is to expand this movement of acceptance. If you’re seeking a female therapist, I’m happy to provide recommendations from my students when available. My priority is to help normalize breast care across all 50 states—so that every client feels comfortable, supported, and empowered to receive the care they want and need.

I hope this information is useful.  If you have any questions or would like to book a treatment or consultation please contact me. I am always happy to help.