Treating the Chest Wall & Breast Tissue: A Rattray Refresher

In this comprehensive 11-minute RMT refresher, we go deep into the actual tissue treatment and clinical protocols for Breast Massage.

While many resources focus solely on the setup, this video focuses on the hands-on techniques required to effectively treat the breast tissue. Please Note: For the duration of this demonstration, the client remains fully draped to maintain modesty and professionalism; however, the video clearly details the mechanics, pressure, and direction of the strokes used to treat the tissue underneath and around the draping boundary.

In this 11-minute review, we cover:

1. Rattray’s Treatment Protocols:

Lymphatic Drainage: The specific pumping techniques and directional strokes required to encourage drainage toward the axillary nodes (crucial for congestion).

Tissue Manipulation: How to apply General Swedish Massage (GSM) techniques, kneading, and fascial spreading to the breast tissue, pectoral border, and sternum to address restriction and pain.

The "Clock" Method: systematically treating all quadrants of the breast tissue.

2. Clinical Reasoning (Indications):

Why we treat: Relieving congestion (pre-menstrual/pregnancy), managing post-surgical scar tissue (mastectomy/reduction/augmentation), reducing general edema, and alleviating chest wall pain.

3. Safety & Contraindications:

A critical review of when not to treat: Active inflammation (mastitis), undiagnosed lumps, or abscesses.

Reminder: Rattray emphasizes that we do not diagnose; any new or changing lump must be referred to a physician immediately.

4. Home Care & Client Education:

Empowering the client with self-care, including specific hydrotherapy applications (cool/warm) and self-lymphatic drainage techniques.

This is a detailed review of the manual skills needed to provide this essential, often-overlooked area of care.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: This video is created solely for the educational review of licensed manual therapy practitioners. It focuses on the revision of standard training protocols and is not intended as medical advice or a substitute for professional medical consultation. The techniques demonstrated should only be performed by qualified professionals within their regulated scope of practice. Written consent is typically required for breast massage; always adhere to your local college/regulatory body guidelines regarding consent.