chest & breast
Certified Full Chest & Breast Massage Training
NCBTMB Approved Continuing Education
Chest & Breast Courses
Empowered Touch – NCBTMB Approved
Are you ready to normalize breast massage as an integral part of therapeutic care?
Do you aspire to eliminate the sexual stigma associated with this vital practice?
Would you like to support breast cancer patients through informed and compassionate touch?
Healing Hands Breast Massage Trainings are designed for therapists committed to transforming perceptions and enhancing client well-being. These courses instill confidence and provide the hands-on techniques, communication skills, and knowledge needed to incorporate breast massage ethically and effectively into your practice.
A Professional and Compassionate Approach
Breast massage, when performed by trained professionals, can reduce pain and anxiety, support lymphatic flow, improve immune function, and enhance overall quality of life. It can also provide profound emotional support, particularly for clients navigating breast cancer recovery, post-surgical healing, or hormonal changes. (breastcancer.org)
Our training emphasizes clear communication, client informed consent, and therapeutic intent, with the goal of demystifying and legitimizing this practice across all 50 states.
Expanding into Breast Cancer Support
In 2025, with the support of my colleague Virginia Murphy, an Oncology Massage and Lymphedema Therapist, we introduced a comprehensive 3-day Breast Cancer Course to the curriculum. This course provides essential knowledge and hands-on training to support clients recovering from surgery, navigating lymphedema, or undergoing treatment. With evidence-based techniques and a deep focus on client care, this program empowers therapists to provide compassionate, informed, and highly specialized touch for those who need it most.
About Comfort, Beliefs & Readiness
This course invites deep, respectful engagement with an area of the body many experience as vulnerable. Many students arrive with some mix of openness and apprehension - that’s human.
If religious or personal values would prevent you from fully participating in a class, consider whether the class or the work on offer is the right fit at this time. Single-gender courses are offered periodically. And private training is also available for those seeking only to work draped.
Please reach out with questions.
My Journey Into This Work
I created the first Chest & Breast Massage classes in 2017 and have continued to expand and enrich them ever since. As a male therapist and instructor, I recognize that my role in teaching this work may seem less common.
Here’s my perspective:
I was first exposed to working on the chest and breast as normal and stigma-free in Germany, over 15 years ago, where my journey into massage began. At the same time, a female Lomi practitioner, colleague, and friend here in the U.S., Barbara Helynn Heard, was also embracing this work, though it wasn’t widely accepted. Breast massage became a passion of hers—and one that I fully share—to normalize this practice, remove the sexual stigma, and establish it as a legal, natural, enjoyable, and acceptable part of therapeutic care across all 50 states. I know the power of this work because I see firsthand how it impacts my clients. In that spirit, to my mind, embracing this mindset across genders is an important step toward broader acceptance.
I have been teaching and integrating this work into my practice for over 12 years. When I began teaching breast massage to other therapists, the original course was one of only two courses available nationally that were endorsed by the NCBTMB. Now, I’m encouraged to see nearly a dozen options available and a broader acceptance within the massage community. Clearly, interest is growing. My priority with this and all my courses is ensuring that every student feels comfortable, supported, and enriched by the experience.
Why This Training?
My goal is to empower massage therapists—not just by teaching specialized techniques but by helping develop a deeper connection to communication, consent, and intention in practice.
I often remind my students: "The most powerful work we do isn’t just about what we touch—it’s about how we touch, and the space we hold for transformation."
If you are ready to advance your practice, challenge societal norms, and offer invaluable support, I invite you to join this journey.
Full Chest & Breast Massage
Basic Courses
Introduction to Full Chest & Breast Massage - WEBINAR
4 hrs CEU
Course Description
A half day introduction to Full Chest & Breast Massage
This webinar course is designed to introduce participants to the basic concepts of Full Chest & Breast Massage and how to incorporate it into an overall therapeutic wellness treatment.
Students will learn how this work can be easily integrated into a holistic, full body session to relieve tension, stress and pain, and to increase our clients’ ease of movement. This work consistently helps clients feel and connect with their whole body in a wonderful way that many have not previously experienced.
Students also learn how this massage may benefit clients living with menstrual related tenderness, fibrocystic breast tissue, breast augmentation, breast reduction,mastectomy, breast cancer and other non-cancerous breast conditions.
Emphasis is placed on making our touch safe, pleasant, sexually neutral, and effective for both female and male clients.
More than half the class time is devoted to communication. How to communicate with the public, with clients, intake discussions, answering questions, making it easy for clients to approach the subject, etc.
The balance of the time is spent discussing the issues specific to breast massage; anatomy, indications, contraindications, draping, expected outcomes.
The chest and breast massage discussed in this class is intended to raise awareness and help spread the idea of normalized non sexual touch and client choice.
There is no actual hands on massage in this webinar, with exception of self massage exercises toward the end of the webinar. During these exercises the webinar goes into focus (privacy) mode and as well the exercises may be done through a T shirt.
The hope is that the basic principles taught in this class might compel students to think about offering full Chest & Breast massage in your practice and to go on to take one of the hands on in person courses.
This class is open to trained massage therapists, enrolled massage students and other professional health care providers with treatment of breasts in their scope of practice.
Learning Objectives
This course is intended to make a proper and brief introduction into the principles and techniques of Full Chest & Breast Massage. It It is intended to spark the curiosity for those who might wish to pursue additional training in the form of the 2 or 3 day courses.
Learning Outcomes
Participants will demonstrate an understanding of the physical and emotional benefits of working on the chest & breast. Students will also gain an initial understanding of the additional steps required to undertake this work; specifically in consent, communication, draping, intake information. Lastly students will gain an initial understanding about how to make this touch safe, neutral and non-sexual. Teaching strategies: Lecture, Class participation.
Students will be evaluated based upon their participation and ability to answer questions.
Tuition $125
Time: 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
NCBTMB Approved 4.0hrs
To Register, go here to find your class
Introduction to Full Chest & Breast Massage - IN PERSON
4 hrs CEU
Course Description
A half day introduction to Full Chest & Breast Massage
This in-person course is designed to introduce participants to full chest and breast massage and the possibilities of incorporating it into your work.
Students will learn how this work can be easily integrated into a holistic, full body session to relieve tension, stress and pain, and to increase our clients’ ease of movement. This work consistently helps clients feel and connect with their whole body in a wonderful way that many have not previously experienced.
Students also learn how this massage may benefit clients living with menstrual related tenderness, fibrocystic breast tissue, breast augmentation, breast reduction,mastectomy, breast cancer and other non-cancerous breast conditions.
Emphasis is placed on making our touch safe, pleasant, sexually neutral, and effective for both female and male clients.
More than half the class time is devoted to communication. How to communicate with the public, with clients, intake discussions, answering questions, making it easy for clients to approach the subject, etc.
The balance of the time is spent discussing the issues specific to breast massage; anatomy, indications, contraindications, draping, expected outcomes.
The chest and breast massage discussed in this class is intended to raise awareness and help spread the idea of normalized non sexual touch and client choice. During the intro class, all exercises and work are done through the sheet or with a T shirt. There is no direct contact with the breast, as there would be in the full course.
At the Instructors discretion, and with class approval and a volunteer, a full demonstration may take place at the end of the class.
The hope is that the basic principles taught in this class might compel students to think about offering full Chest & Breast massage in your practice and to go on to take one of the hands on in person courses.
This class is open to trained massage therapists, enrolled massage students and other professional health care providers with treatment of breasts in their scope of practice.
Emphasis is placed on making our touch safe, pleasant, sexually neutral, and effective for both female and male clients.
Learning Objectives
This course is intended to make a proper and brief introduction into the principles and techniques of Full Chest & Breast Massage. It It is intended to spark the curiosity for those who might wish to pursue additional training in the form of the 2 day course.
Tuition $195
Time: 3:30 pm - 7:30 pm
NCBTMB Approved 4.0hrs
To Register, go here to find your class
Full Chest & Breast Massage - The “Original” Course
16 hrs CEU
Course Description
A two day course on incorporating full chest & breast massage into your work.
In this class students will learn massage of the ribcage, chest and breasts to support healthy breathing and general stress relief within full body wellness massage. Students also learn how this massage can benefit clients living with breast augmentation, breast reduction, mastectomy, fibrocystic breast tissue, and other non-cancerous breast conditions.
The chest and breast massage taught in this class is intended to be easily integrated into a holistic, full body session to relieve tension, stress and pain, and to increase our clients’ ease of movement in both the upper and lower body. This work consistently helps clients feel and connect with their whole body in a wonderful way that many have not previously experienced.
Emphasis is placed on making our touch safe, pleasant, sexually neutral, and effective for both female and male clients. In many of the techniques taught, pressure is directed to the muscles and ribs located deep to the mammary glands which are within breast tissue. Students will learn massage techniques which are done with the chest draped and other techniques which are done bare chested/breasted for both men and women.
More than half the class is devoted to hands on massage practice. The balance of the time is spent participating in discussion of the issues specific to breast massage listed below.
This course meets Washington State training requirements for specialized training in breast massage (WAC 246-830-555).
Course training includes:
indications & contraindications
client communication & consent
therapeutic treatment techniques
draping requirements
appropriate therapist-client or patient boundaries
expected outcomes
client/ patient safety related to breast massage
breast anatomy and physiology - basic pathologies
pathology
SPECIAL CLASSROOM POLICIES FOR THIS CLASS
By registering, Attendees agree to the following policies:
Attendee must be a licensed massage therapist, or enrolled massage student in any US State with an official massage licensing board, or a healthcare professional with breast massage in their scope of practice. If a massage therapist practices in a state without massage licensing, permission from the instructor is required.
Attendee must be present for all class hours, including all lecture and technique demonstrations.
Attendee understands that full chest and breast areas on both women and men* will be treated within this class, and that the full chest and breast will be undraped for portions of the treatment.
Attendee understands that the nipples and areolas may be touched during some of the treatment sequences as a general part of the breast. Specific nipple/areola treatment is not included in this course.
Attendee agrees to both give and receive all techniques with fellow students, both male and female. All students are expected to rotate trades with other students during practice times to gain maximum exposure to different bodies and scenarios.
Attendee agrees to adhere to professional standards and ethics both during the course, as well as when working with the public in a clinical/office setting.
In order to receive their Course Completion Certificate, all registering students agree to the these policies for this course. Any student who does not adhere to the course rules will be immediately asked to leave the course and will receive neither course credit nor tuition refund.
Most of the classes are open gender. Typical classes will be either all female or 1-2 males, and all genders are welcome. For those interested in a single gender course - I do offer them as well as private and semi private classes.
* Note: I am willing to privately schedule breast and chest massage classes for 2-8 therapists. These classes can be either single or open gender . Contact me for more information.
PREREQUISITES: none
Tuition: $695
Time: 9:30 am - 5:30pm
NCBTMB Approved 16 hrs
To Register, go here to find your class
Full Chest & Breast Massage - Advanced Anatomy & Physiology
24 hrs CEU
This Course is an EXTENDED version of the 2 day course .
NOTE: I am available to travel and teach this course at your school or facility.
Course Description
In this hands on course, students will learn massage of the ribcage, chest and breasts to support healthy breathing and general stress relief within full body wellness massage. Students also learn how this massage can benefit clients living with breast cancer, breast augmentation, breast reduction, mastectomy, fibrocystic breast tissue, top surgery and other non-cancerous breast conditions.
The chest and breast massage taught in this class is intended to be easily be integrated into a holistic, full body session to relieve tension, stress and pain, and to increase our clients’ ease of movement in both the upper and lower body. This work consistently helps clients feel and connect with their whole body in a wonderful way that many have not previously experienced. In addition, specific stand alone treatments will be covered for specific conditions such as: post-surgical scar tissue, plugged ducts, intercostal neuralgia, MLD on breast related lymphedema.
Emphasis is placed on making our touch safe, pleasant, sexually neutral, and effective for both female and male clients. In many of the techniques taught, pressure is directed to the muscles and ribs located deep to the mammary glands within breast tissue. Students will learn massage techniques which are done with the chest draped and other techniques which are done bare chested/breasted for both men and women.
More than half the class is devoted to hands on massage practice. The balance of the time is spent participating in discussion of the issues specific to breast massage listed below.
This course exceeds Washington State training requirements for specialized training in breast massage, effective July 1, 2017. (WAC 246-830-555).
Course training includes:
indications & contraindications
client communication & consent
therapeutic treatment techniques
draping requirements
appropriate therapist-client or patient boundaries
expected outcomes
client/ patient safety related to breast massage
advanced breast anatomy and physiology as well as pathologies
pathology
SPECIAL CLASSROOM POLICIES FOR THIS CLASS
By registering, Attendees agree to the following policies:
Attendee must be a licensed massage therapist, or enrolled massage student in any US State with an official massage licensing board, or a healthcare professional with breast massage in their scope of practice. If a massage therapist practices in a state without massage licensing, permission from the instructor is required.
Attendee must be present for all class hours, including all lecture and technique demonstrations.
Attendee understands that full chest and breast areas on both women and men* will be treated within this class, and that the full chest and breast will be undraped for portions of the treatment.
Attendee understands that the nipples and areolas may be touched during some of the treatment sequences as a general part of the breast. Specific nipple/areola treatment is not included in this course.
Attendee agrees to both give and receive all techniques with fellow students, both male and female. All students are expected to rotate trades with other students during practice times to gain maximum exposure to different bodies and scenarios.
Attendee agrees to adhere to professional standards and ethics both during the course, as well as when working with the public in a clinical/office setting.
In order to receive their Course Completion Certificate, all registering students agree to the these policies for this course. Any student who does not adhere to the course rules will be immediately asked to leave the course and will receive neither course credit nor tuition refund.
Most of the classes are open gender. Typical classes will be either all female or 1-2 males, and all genders are welcome. For those interested in a single gender course - I do offer them as well as private and semi private classes.
Note: I am willing to privately schedule breast and chest massage classes for 2-8 therapists. These classes
can be either single open gender. Contact me for more information.
PREREQUISITES: none
Tuition: $795
Time: 9:30 am - 5:30pm
NCBTMB Approved 24 hrs
To Register, go here to find your class
Advanced Courses
Breast & Chest Massage for Clients with Breast Cancer: Including Oncology & MLD Basics
25 hrs CEU
This is the most COMPREHENSIVE Course offered and it is an EXTENDED version of the popular 2 day course .
NOTE: I am available to travel and teach this course at your school or facility.
Course Description
In this comprehensive course, students will learn massage of the chest and breast to support clients undergoing or recovering from breast cancer both therapeutically and emotionally. It provides essential knowledge of the outpatient therapeutic approaches in treating clients with breast cancer. Drawing on elements of the therapeutic chest and breast courses as well as the 3 Day Advanced Anatomy & Post Op MLD course, it combines disciplines to fully treat clients in an oncology setting.
Students learn how this massage can benefit clients living with breast cancer, breast augmentation, breast reduction, mastectomy, fibrocystic breast tissue, top surgery and other non-cancerous breast conditions. . Special attention is given to the evaluation, differential diagnosis, and treatment of axillary web syndrome (cording), postural dysfunction as well as upper-quadrant soft-tissue changes following breast cancer surgery and radiation therapy. An up-to-date review of recent research findings regarding breast cancer-related lymphedema is presented.
The chest and breast massage taught in this class is specific to breast cancer challenges but can easily be integrated into a holistic, full body session. This work consistently helps clients feel and connect with their whole body and can provide powerful emotional support. In addition, specific stand alone treatments will be covered for specific concerns such as: post-surgical scar tissue, plugged ducts, intercostal neuralgia, as well as MLD on breast related lymphedema.
The basics of oncology massage will be introduced including additional intake information. Setting aside time, particularly for first time clients, knowing what to ask and what not to ask are paramount to oncology work. Additional contraindications and working with clients undergoing treatment are also covered.
Lastly, students will learn techniques specific to Post Op clients, including basic scar tissue work and the principles of Vodder based MLD. The MLD strokes taught in this course do not lead to a certification in MLD but are designed to help massage therapists work with stage 0 concerns and when to refer out.
Students will learn massage techniques which are done with the chest draped and other techniques which are done bare chested/breasted for both men and women.
More than half the class is devoted to hands on massage practice. The balance of the time is spent participating in discussion of the issues specific to breast cancer massage listed below.
Course training includes:
indications & contraindications & expected outcomes
therapeutic treatment techniques
draping requirements & options
therapist-client communications
oncology intake & additional precautions
client/ patient safety related to breast massage
breast anatomy and physiology
pathology
MLD of the upper quadrant basics
SPECIAL CLASSROOM POLICIES FOR THIS CLASS
By registering, Attendees agree to the following policies:
Attendee must be a licensed massage therapist in any US State with an official massage licensing board, or a healthcare professional with breast massage in their scope of practice. If a massage therapist practices in a state without massage licensing, permission from the instructor is required.
Attendee must be present for all class hours, including all lecture and technique demonstrations.
Attendee understands that full chest and breast areas on both women and men will be treated within this class, and that the full chest and breast will be undraped for portions of the treatment.
Attendee agrees to both give and receive all techniques with fellow students of all genders.
* Note: I am willing to privately schedule any of the breast and chest massage classes for 2-8 therapists. Contact me for more information.
PREREQUISITES: none
Tuition: $995
Time: 9:30 am - 5:30pm
NCBTMB Approved 25 hrs
To Register, go here to find your class
Introduction to Chest & Breast Massage (For Schools) - IN PERSON
4 hrs CEU
Course Description
A half day introduction to Full Chest & Breast Massage
This webinar course is designed to introduce participants to the basic concepts of Full Chest & Breast Massage and how to incorporate it into an overall therapeutic wellness treatment.
Students will learn how this work can be easily integrated into a holistic, full body session to relieve tension, stress and pain, and to increase our clients’ ease of movement. This work consistently helps clients feel and connect with their whole body in a wonderful way that many have not previously experienced.
Students also learn how this massage may benefit clients living with menstrual related tenderness, fibrocystic breast tissue, breast augmentation, breast reduction,mastectomy, breast cancer and other non-cancerous breast conditions.
Emphasis is placed on making our touch safe, pleasant, sexually neutral, and effective for both female and male clients.
More than half the class time is devoted to communication. How to communicate with the public, with clients, intake discussions, answering questions, making it easy for clients to approach the subject, etc.
The balance of the time is spent discussing the issues specific to breast massage; anatomy, indications, contraindications, draping, expected outcomes.
The chest and breast massage discussed in this class is intended to raise awareness and help spread the idea of normalized non sexual touch and client choice.
There is no actual hands on massage in this webinar, with exception of self massage exercises toward the end of the webinar. During these exercises the webinar goes into focus (privacy) mode and as well the exercises may be done through a T shirt.
The hope is that the basic principles taught in this class might compel students to think about offering full Chest & Breast massage in your practice and to go on to take one of the hands on in person courses.
This class is open to trained massage therapists, enrolled massage students and other professional health care providers with treatment of breasts in their scope of practice.
Learning Objectives
This course is intended to make a proper and brief introduction into the principles and techniques of Full Chest & Breast Massage. It It is intended to spark the curiosity for those who might wish to pursue additional training in the form of the 2 or 3 day courses.
Learning Outcomes
Participants will demonstrate an understanding of the physical and emotional benefits of working on the chest & breast. Students will also gain an initial understanding of the additional steps required to undertake this work; specifically in consent, communication, draping, intake information. Lastly students will gain an initial understanding about how to make this touch safe, neutral and non-sexual. Teaching strategies: Lecture, Class participation.
Students will be evaluated based upon their participation and ability to answer questions.
Tuition $125
Time: 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
NCBTMB Approved 4.0hrs
To Register, go here to find your class
Reflection of a Former Student
"This course should be a mandatory part of every Massage School and degreed Collegiate Massage Program for every student across the Country.
Even if few ever put the work into practice, the knowledge of working in and around these areas, plus the draping options and most of all the communication and comfort around a delicate topic can help every therapist no matter what their specialty."
After being a licensed massage therapist for more than 25 years, I have to say Full Chest and Breast massage is the most profound and highly missed aspect in body work I have encountered! I finally feel whole~ Thank you Edward Miano teaching this class! Your peaceful spirit and teaching style have me rethinking my entire practice!
Such an amazing course! Looking forward to offering this work to clients !!!!!!!
Edward is an incredible teacher. Genuine, inclusive, lighthearted and thorough. I had an amazing experience in his full chest & breast massage class. I am so looking forward to returning for more classes. It was a lot of fun and has opened up so many possibilities for my massage practice. I highly recommend!
Read What Other Students Say ...
A Word About Gender - Why A Male Instructor ?
This is a valid question, and while there’s no single best answer, I’d like to share my perspective.
First, the woman who originally created the basic 2 day course is a friend, mentor, and inspiration to me. I have trained with her, learned from her, and share her passion for this work. Her goal—which I fully support—is to normalize this part of the body, remove the sexual stigma, and foster a sense of natural acceptance. In that spirit, what better way to embrace this mindset than by fostering inclusivity across gender lines?
Second, I am fully qualified and have been teaching and integrating this practice into my work for many years. Many of my students and clients appreciate having the choice to learn from an instructor who brings both experience and a well-rounded perspective to the subject.
This course is not focused on specific techniques but rather on communication and mindset—two essential elements of this work. That being said, I understand that some female therapists may feel most comfortable learning in a same-gender environment. If you are open to learning from a male instructor, I offer both mixed-gender and women-only course options.
In my experience, very few men enroll in these classes—usually only one or two at a time—but when they do, the experience has always been positive for all involved. If you are specifically seeking a female instructor, I’m happy to offer recommendations whenever possible.
Stay Informed of Upcoming Classes and Dates
Join our email list for a chance to win $100 of any course.
Each month we select one name at random from registered students on the list.