Breast Health Therapy Program

“ Breast Health Massage Therapy is a very effective, yet very gentle session focusing on breast congestion.

The physical benefits of the Breast Health Therapy Program are often profound.”

Our Breast Health Massage Therapy Program is for breast cancer survivors/ thrivers/warriors/ women/men who have had breast cancer, have unique needs and often require custom solutions to help them move forward. It is also for women who have not had cancer but understand the importance of preventative maintenance and wellness are often misunderstood and are frustrated by the taboos that our culture associates with breasts. We are here to help you find the best treatment that works for you regarding your breast and the breast area.

 

Our Breast Health Massage Therapy Program is designed to meet the needs of our community. Breast health is too often ignored until after a problem arises. The breast area often has powerful associations that can sometimes make a woman hesitant to seek care. Most women experience breast discomfort at some point in their life. Whether it’s breast congestion, abnormalities such as lumps or cysts, diagnostic tests, or surgical procedures, any breast problem can create heightened anxiety and stress that can diminish overall health. We are dedicated to helping you return to or maintain an active, pain-free lifestyle. We offer a warm, inviting comfortable environment where you will feel safe and assured that you are in the right hands.

 

At Hands On HealthCare we offer a multi-faceted approach to breast health.

 

Very often insurance will cover these sessions. We accept NYSHIP and no-fault. Give us a call and we may be able to check if your insurance company will pay for this type of medical massage. We offer an economical Self-Pay Program for families and individuals without insurance or with insurance we do not accept. These are the prices on this site.

Breast Massage Health Program
Our Services

Sessions are generally 15 minutes to 30 minutes, with a cost of $37.50-$75. Extended sessions can be requested.

Breast and Breast Area Drainage

This is a very effective, yet very gentle session focusing on breast congestion. The physical benefits are often profound. The body’s lymphatic system is highly concentrated in the underarm and chest regions. These areas help keep this key detox mechanism running smoothly. This treatment is perfect for wellness and preventative maintenance however, we often work directly with the physician during cancer treatment. The complications of breast cancer treatments are ongoing and require supportive care to manage the conditions that appear and we “stay in touch” with your medical professional.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)

MLD session ( 20 minutes – $50 | 30 minutes – $75) 

 

When skillfully applied, this therapeutic form of soft-tissue mobilization dramatically enhances lymph formation and promotes drainage within the superficial and deep systems of the lymph vascular network. It is a gentle, non-invasive and highly-effective therapy. MLD effectively reduces traumatic and post-surgical edema, and can provide symptomatic relief of migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), stress, fatigue, and more. We often see success with chronic pain suffers who’ve had both minor and major surgeries, injuries or long time illness and or disease. MLD also induces general relaxation and detoxification.

 

MLD is used to treat a variety of conditions, such as: lymphedema, burns, fluid retention, lymph node removal, allergies, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic mastitis, headaches and is a commonly requested therapy following liposuction.

 

MLD is implemented by specially trained therapists, known as a Certified Lymphatic Therapist (CLT). A practitioner must be certified, and the course is open for Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Licensed/Registered Massage Therapists and other Licensed Healthcare Professionals. At a minimum, 135 class hours are required for certification.

Kinesiology Elastic Taping

Breast Massage Health Program Kinesio Taping

Special tape gently lifts the skin allowing swelling to flow and go. The lymphatic vessels underneath the tape can absorb and drain lymphatic fluid from a congested area and redirect it into an area with sufficient lymphatic drainage. Therefore, the volume of edema will be reduced. Swelling goes down, pain is relieved, and the healing process is accelerated. There is an additional charge for the tape depending on the amount and type used.

Strength After Breast Cancer Program

Strength after breast cancer may be included in our Breast Health Program

An evidence-based exercise program for breast cancer survivors. We start with light weights at a slow pace to help you get your groove back. It is safe, efficient and will help you build endurance and strength. Usually 4 sessions. Bring a friend / friends at no additional cost.

Breast Massage

The art of breast massage has been practiced for thousands of years and is an important aspect of self-care, wellness, and healing. Get your bounce back! Massage techniques address the fascial restrictions and lymphatic flow of the breasts. It helps in creating movement and preventing stagnation of the tissue and fluids. The breasts are a significant location for our lymphatic system, and through breast massage, we can stimulate the drainage and proper functioning of lymph. Breast engorgement is associated with sluggish lymph nodes as well as fluid build-up and can be relieved through massage.

Lumpectomy / Mastectomy / Biopsy Scar Tissue Management

Very often surgery causes scar tissue, which causes restrictions. Nothing restricted can function properly! Customized solution may include Myofascial Release, Deep Transverse Tissue work or MLD stretches.

Let Your Fluid Flow Self-Care Session

Take matters into your own hands and learn a self-care Manual Lymph Drainage routine plus powerful techniques to help you let go and flow! Find your inner rhythm, inner wisdom and your inner journey with the destination being wellness. From little seeds, grow mighty trees. In as little as 5 minutes a day, you can assist your body to self-correct. #SelfCareSunday

CBD Infused Creams, Lotions and Oils

Organic, nourishing botanical blends that can be requested for massage and scar work. CBD is completely legal in every state, with or without a prescription. This comes with one caveat: that the CBD be sourced from hemp, the non-intoxicating form of cannabis. We only use premium, trustworthy products.

Benefits of Breast Health Massage Therapy

Although scientific studies are limited so far, evidence suggests breast issues can be improved and possibly prevented with regular breast health sessions. Some of the benefits may include:

Increased circulation of blood and lymph

Reduced congestion in breast tissue

Relief from mastalgia (breast pain)

Improved posture

Restored range of motion in the upper body

Scar tissue reduction

Reduce inflammation

These physical improvements may also provide huge psychological and emotional benefits.
Unlike blood, which is pumped by the heart, lymph doesn’t have a pump of its own and must be moved by either muscle contractions or manual pressure. Breast tissue is well-supplied with lymphatics but lacks external sources to promote the natural lymphatic drainage found in most other body tissues. Breasts have no musculature of their own. Gentle techniques can help clear lymphatic channels, increase circulation, and reduce uncomfortable congestion.

Self- Mld is part of our Breast Massage Health Program
Diaphragmatic Breathing is part of the Breast Massage Health Program

The Importance of the Lymphatic System

Many consider the lymphatic system the crux of regulating homeostasis (balancing of the body systems). Appropriate lymph dynamics are fundamental to an adequate immune system and in addition, the lymphatic system is also responsible for cleaning up after the rest of your biological systems. A healthy lymphatic system attacks bacteria and viruses in your bloodstream, trapping them in the lymph nodes where special white blood cells destroy them. The lymph system also cleanses your body of toxins, dead cells, and cancer cells. At the same time, the lymph delivers much-needed nutrients to healthy cells.

Outside sources will tell you, if you’re feeling tired and low on energy, or if you’ve been sick and feeling like your body is fighting to get back on track, it may be due to a sluggish lymphatic system. You may be experiencing lethargy, heaviness or bloating. Trauma, injuries, poor diet, surgical procedures, inflammation, stress and swelling can often put a demand on lymph vessels which can become overwhelmed and overtaxed with the demand placed on them. The lymphatic flow can stagnate for many reasons. However, by innervating the skin in a gentle, light manner, and showing the body it’s true self (which is more water than solid), we can wake-up the lymphatic system to get it moving and bounce back! Fluid stagnation can cause chronic pain, due to deep swelling, constipation, and muscle aches, as well as many more other unnatural conditions. Many, including me will say that getting it to bounce back will help charge your batteries, so to speak, and prep the immune system for the road ahead.

I will tell you what I have discovered in my room after treating patient after patient who experience pain, discomfort, stress, mental health issues, etc. Touching in a very gentle, non-invasive way and combining it with basic, proven manual lymph drainage treatment sequences, has allowed for significant change in their lives. The goal is to restore fluidity and function. We will accomplish this by increasing lymph circulation, promoting the lymphatic return from areas in need of drainage, releasing restrictions that may be blocking the efficiency of the lymphatic system, while all at the same time, reducing stress. We can go where deep tissue and invasive therapies cannot, into the fluid fascial matrix. These superficial techniques have a deep and profound impact. We engage and assist the wave; we find it, not create it. We work with the body’s own innate self-correction abilities.

Improving Posture and Range of Motion

Therapeutic breast massage also loosens the tissues of the chest, shoulders, and neck, using a combination of deep-tissue massage techniques, movement, breathing, and stretching. Whether your breasts are healthy or compromised, every woman can benefit from this work, and it can be a powerful aid to healing after surgery or radiation therapy.

These procedures can leave uncomfortable scar tissue, adhesions, and muscle imbalances. Restricted movement, altered posture, and chronic pain often result. After medical clearance is given, a skilled therapist can release restrictions, which in turn can reduce or eliminate pain and improve range of motion.

Hands On HealthCare as part of your team

Marla Kaplan, the owner and director at Hands On is a Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Lymphatic Therapist and an Expert Level JB Myofascial Release Practitioner. Marla and many of her therapists have additional training as Oncology Massage Therapists through Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Together they have logged thousands of hours in additional training including Mastectomy Massage, Edema and Lymphedema courses, Elastic Taping for Lymphatics and much more. Marla was an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and is qualified to teach the Strength After Breast Cancer program. Hands On HealthCare is a Recommended Community Provider for MSKCC and a Certified Cancer Aware Center. We set the standard of care in the community and work with healthcare teams and individual healthcare providers from both Suffolk and Nassau Counties. We understand that wellness must also include your peace of mind. You will feel safe and assured that you have come to the right place as soon as you walk through the doorway. The environment is warm and inviting, the staff is professional and caring.

Additional questions or concerns? Give us a call.

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