“Imagine you have healing power in your hands because you do!” Dr. Christiane Northrup, in her book, Women’s Body’s Women’s Wisdom, refers to the lymphatic self-breast massage which every woman can do for herself. It stimulates the immune system and improves lymphatic circulation for breast health and prevention of disease.

The vast network of the lymphatic system is made up of tiny vessels, nodes and spleen. It has three times more fluid than the circulatory system but there is no pump as with the heart. Tiny lymph vessels pick up the vascular fluid, waste and all of the live infection. This is where movement is necessary to move it into the filtering nodes and spleen and help it return to the blood. The spleen is like a big lymph node with the exception that it filters blood and eliminates worn out red blood cells. It is designed to bring lymphocytes in contact with the blood and ward off infections.

The lymphatic system is a one-way system in the body that runs from head to heart, hands to heart and feet to heart. Dr. Northrup says, “Visualize your hands transferring love and care to your breasts.” Simply focus on creating gentle movement of stretching and releasing—a pumping action to move the lymph:

1. Start with the lymph in your neck and gently stroke down to the collar bone.   
2. Feel the hollow spot above the collar bone and gently use a pulsing action just above it until you can sense lymph movement. This opens the lymph passage before it empties into the circulatory system.
3. Lovingly massage healthy breast essential oil blend onto your breast.
4. Start under your arm and gently stretch/massage the skin all the way up into the armpit. You may find tenderness. Use a gentle pumping action 6 to 10 times until the tenderness subsides.
5. With one hand, support your breast as you gently move it towards the armpit with a stretch/release action 6 to 10 times.
6. Move your breast toward the center with a stretch/release action 6 to 10 times.
7. Focus a flat palm on top of your breast and gently massage upward toward the neck with a stretch/release pumping action 6 to 10 times. 
8. Stroke gently away from the nipple, across and around the entire breast.
9. Press the nipple a few times as if you were beeping a horn. Repeat with the other breast. Love and laugh with this fun technique while you move the lymph for breast health.                                                          

Breast tissue varies and is affected by menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding, nutrition and aging. Breasts tend to become perky with a daily lymphatic self-massage. You have healing power in your hands. When you do the lymphatic self-massage, love your girls and become aware of any changes as you progress down the path to your best breast health.

Joyce Sobotta has a BS in education and certifications in holistic aromatherapy and reflexology. She is the founder/owner of Healthy Girls Breast Oil, a home-based, international business. She offers online essential oil classes and is available for presentations and consultations. For more information, visit AromaTherapyNaturesWay.com.