Half of all women who go to doctors go because they have some kind of pain in their breasts.  Breast pain that comes and goes is usually caused by excess hormonal stimulation of the breast from too much estrogen, excessive caffeine, or chronic stress.    According to Dr. Christiane Northrup the link between breast pain and breast cancer is very low, less than 1%.  Let’s explore the major reasons for breast pain and what we can do about it. .

Fibrocystic Breast

 Fibrocystic breast tissue is not a disease as someone you trust may call it  Breasts are composed of fat and connective tissue and over time the ratio changes to more connective tissue and become dense.  Breasts lumps are very common in women in their forties, when their hormones are changing.   Breast cysts are fluid filled and under local anesthetic can be aspirated by placing a needle in them.  Not as much fun as a loving lymphatic breast self massage!

Not all lumps are cancer.  Statistics say that 90% of breast lumps are benign. Thermography, or Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging is a non invasive test of physiology. The benefit of DITI is that it offers earlier detection of breast abnormalities, than is possible with self exam, doctor exam, or mammography. It is especially appropriate for younger women who have dense breast tissue.

It takes years for a tumor to grow, so with the earliest possible indication of abnormality, intervention with self care can benefit tremendously.  A thermography scan, when read, may indicate further clinical investigation is necessary.  An ultra sound may be a wise choice to follow up.  The majority of the time it will show up as fibrocystic tissue or water filled cysts.

Inflammation!

The key here is to follow an inflammation –reducing diet:  The higher the body fat, dietary fat, and insulin levels from too many refined carbohydrates, the higher the estrogen levels and the greater risk for breast cancer.   80% of women with cyclic breast pain have a good response to dietary change alone.

Plenty of soluble fiber in a diet from vegetable sources helps increase excretion of excess estrogen.  Reduce sugar, high-refined carbohydrates, meat, and dairy products, with added hormones, which all can raise estrogen levels.  It may be that your body cannot digest dairy that has been pasteurized.  Pasteurization kills all the good enzymes and your body simply cannot absorb the nutrients from dairy products.  Women who eat organic or raw dairy products seem to experience fewer problems.

Eliminate suspected foods such as dairy or caffeine for a trial period, 3-4 weeks.  Notice any changes.   Anti-inflammatory foods and omega 3 fatty acids, may decrease inflammation, and stop pain.  Iodine decreases the ability of estrogen to adhere to estrogen receptors in the breast.  Dr. Christiane Northrup mentions drugs such as antidepressants, some statins, and some cardiac pills may have side effects for some women and may cause breast pain.

Hormonal Changes

The most common type of breast pain occurs before your menstrual cycle and it is related to hormonal changes in your body from increased fluid retention which can cause pressure and tenderness.  Check your hormone levels with a saliva test and learn how to correct imbalances of estrogen and other hormones which may cause breast pain or hot flashes.  See your nutritionist or naturopath doctor who understands how whole food works for the body 

Emotional Stress!

Releasing various emotional stress, trauma, depression, anxiety and learned helplessness, will all help to balance your immune system.  EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) may be a choice technique to learn, as it strips off layers of emotion and pain.

Bras! 

Eighty five out of 100 women are wearing the wrong size bra, which is uncomfortable, unflattering, and unhealthy. Breasts change every two to five years, depending what is going on in our life cycle.  An underwire bra cuts off the circulation of both blood and lymph fluid around the breast, chest wall and surrounding tissue.  Restricting the lymph with an underwire or too tight bra may lead to serious congestion and disease.

Our lymphatic system’s primary purpose is to isolate infection and other cellular debris from the rest of the body and get rid of it. Lymphatic fluid has no pump and if restricted with toxins can cause swelling, pain, infections, headaches, fibrocystic breasts, fibromyalgia and other physical conditions.

Healthy Girls Breast Oil applied while doing the lymphatic breast massage is especially beneficial because the eight essential oils selected will help to nurture and protect natural breast health.

Breasts want to hang around “till death do we part” so appreciate and care for them.  Big or small, young or old there’s always time to give them a loving lymphatic breast self massage.   Make healthy lifestyle changes to always have happy and healthy breasts.