The Breast Wellness Studio

11/02/2026

Underarm Fullness, Tenderness & Puffiness - What Your Body Might Be Telling You

If you’ve ever noticed:

• Breast tenderness that radiates into the armpit
• Swelling or puffiness under the arm
• A “thick” or tight feeling near the bra line
• Internal pulling or tension when lifting your arm
• Soreness before your cycle

You’re not imagining it.

Your breasts don’t just sit on your chest — they drain primarily into the axillary lymph nodes (underarm area).

When lymph flow slows (hormones, stress, inflammation, tight fascia, poor posture, post-surgery changes), fluid and immune activity can build up there first.

That’s when you feel:
• heaviness
• puffiness
• tenderness
• internal pressure

Gentle Support You Can Do at Home - Before jumping to panic, try supporting the drainage:

1️⃣ Open the exits

• Soft pumping above the collarbones
• Gentle circles behind ears
(1–2 minutes)

2️⃣ Underarm drainage

• Light brushing or stroking toward the armpit
• Gentle sweeping from the outer breast into the underarm

3️⃣ Gentle tapping (very effective)

Using your fingertips, lightly tap the underarm and outer breast area for 30–60 seconds.

Tapping helps:
• stimulate superficial lymph vessels
• reduce stagnation
• soften internal tension
• calm local inflammation

It should feel light — not painful.

When to get checked - Persistent swelling, redness, heat, or a lump that doesn’t change with your cycle should always be assessed by your GP.

But mild puffiness and cyclical tenderness? That’s often a lymphatic traffic jam — not something sinister.

Your underarm is part of your breast health story.

Support the drainage, soften the fascia, reduce inflammation — and your body often responds beautifully 💚

10/02/2026

So in point - please share this message!

Breast health is more than just regular screenings; it is a daily practice of internal nourishment. Because breast tissue is highly sensitive to hormonal fluctuations and environmental toxins, the nutrients you consume act as the "guardians" of your cellular integrity.

When we lack key micronutrients, the body’s ability to detoxify oestrogen and repair DNA is compromised, often leading to inflammation or fibrocystic changes.

To support a healthy internal environment, focus on these four pillars of nutrition:

𝐈𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐞: Essential for regulating oestrogen sensitivity in breast tissue. It helps maintain normal architecture and can reduce the tenderness associated with fibrocystic changes.

𝐕𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝟑: Acts more like a hormone than a vitamin, playing a critical role in cellular differentiation and immune surveillance within the breast.

𝐆𝐥𝐮𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 (from Cruciferous Veggies): Found in broccoli and kale, these compounds support the liver in metabolising oestrogen into "protective" rather than "pro-inflammatory" metabolites.

𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐮𝐦: A potent antioxidant that protects cells from oxidative stress and supports the body’s natural repair mechanisms.

We view breast health through the lens of prevention and protection. By addressing nutrient deficiencies, we empower your body to perform its protective functions optimally.

"Your cells are built from the fuel you provide. Give them the tools they need to thrive."

At our clinic, we also offer thermographic imaging, which can provide a unique physiological insight into breast health by detecting heat patterns. This non-invasive tool can be a valuable addition to your overall breast health awareness strategy, complementing regular check-ups and your own self-knowledge.

https://www.lovehealthylivin.com.au/
0437 960 160

05/02/2026

Why does breast cancer occur?

Breast cancer does not have one single cause.

It develops when breast cells undergo changes over time and begin to grow in an uncontrolled way. These changes are often influenced by hormones, inflammation, genetics, lifestyle, and breast tissue environment — sometimes years before a lump appears.

Common contributing factors:

🌸 Hormonal influences

* Long-term oestrogen exposure (early periods, late menopause)
* Hormone replacement therapy
* Oestrogen dominance and impaired hormone clearance

🌸 Genetic factors

* Family history of breast cancer
* Inherited gene mutations (e.g. BRCA1 / BRCA2)

🌸 Age

* Risk increases with age — but younger women are increasingly affected, especially with inflammatory patterns

🌸 Reproductive factors

* Late pregnancy or not having children
* Not breastfeeding

Breast tissue & inflammatory factors

* Dense breast tissue
* Previous breast conditions
* Chronic inflammation
* Lymphatic congestion
* Reduced circulation and oxygenation

Most women diagnosed with breast cancer do NOT have a family history.

That’s why breast health isn’t just about finding cancer —
it’s about monitoring changes early, long before disease develops.

At The Breast Wellness Studio, we focus on early functional changes, not just late structural findings.

🔸 Thermal imaging:
• Detects changes in heat, blood flow, and inflammation
• Is especially helpful for dense breast tissue
• Can be used earlier and more frequently
• Looks at patterns and trends over time
• Supports lymphatic and inflammatory breast health monitoring

🔸 Mammography:
• Looks for structural changes like masses or calcifications
• Often identifies disease later in the process

Should be used to identify - not as a routine procedure

These tools assess different stages of breast change — not the same thing.

Breast health is not a once-every-few-years event. It’s a whole-body, whole-life conversation.

✔ Know your breasts
✔ Monitor changes
✔ Support lymphatic flow
✔ Reduce inflammation
✔ Choose screening that suits your body

Early awareness saves lives — and peace of mind matters too.

03/02/2026

Fascia & the Lymphatic System Are Inseparable

Let’s work on understanding things more: Your lymph doesn’t flow through pipes.
It flows through space.

And that space is created by fascia.

Fascia is the connective tissue that wraps around every muscle, nerve, blood vessel and lymph vessel in your body.

Your lymphatic system literally runs inside this web.

When fascia is soft, hydrated and mobile, lymph moves easily.

When fascia becomes tight, inflamed, scarred or dehydrated, those spaces collapse — and lymph stagnates.

That’s why:
• swelling lingers
• breasts feel heavy
• pain shows up
• inflammation doesn’t clear
• you still feel stuck after “massage”

Because you can’t drain fluid through tissue that’s been compressed and restricted.

Real lymphatic work must always include fascial release — that’s what opens the pathways and lets the body finally let go.

Because you can’t drain what’s trapped.

03/02/2026

More than 1,000 Australian women aged 20–39 were diagnosed with breast cancer last year.

Most had no “routine” screening.

Many were told they were too young to worry.

Breast cancer doesn’t start as a lump.
It starts as:
• Inflammation
• Blood vessel growth
• Immune activation
• Lymphatic stagnation
• Hormonal disruption

These changes happen years before a tumour forms.

Thermal breast imaging detects these early warning patterns — even in dense, young breast tissue where mammograms can’t see.

Being “breast aware” is not just touching your breasts.

It is:
• Knowing your baseline
• Tracking change over time
• Understanding your physiology

That’s what we do at The Breast Wellness Studio.

If you’re over 20, have dense breasts, a family history, implants, hormone issues, or just want peace of mind — this is your starting point.

Book your baseline thermal breast scan now.

www.lovehealthylivin.com.au

Tel: 0437 960 160

30/01/2026

Understanding Breast Health - Breast health is about the condition of the breast tissue — not just whether a lump is present.

Healthy breasts depend on:
• good blood flow
• effective lymphatic drainage
• balanced hormones
• relaxed fascia
• healthy nervous system communication

When these systems are supported, breast tissue remains soft, flexible and well nourished.

Common signs of poor breast drainage or imbalance can include:
• heaviness
• tenderness
• swelling before periods
• fibrocystic texture
• armpit pulling or fullness

These changes are signals — not something to ignore.

How to Support Your Breasts

✔ Gentle lymphatic massage
✔ Dry brushing
✔ Movement and posture
✔ Hydration
✔ Hormone-supportive nutrition
✔ Wearing well-fitted, non-restrictive bras
✔ Reducing stress and inflammation

At The Breast Wellness Studio we support your breasts before problems develop.

28/01/2026

Here is a little information I feel is extremely important to share for anyone going through the challenge

Chemo-Safe Gut Support for Diarrhoea

Digestive upset — especially diarrhoea — is common during chemotherapy. It can be frightening, exhausting, and depleting. The goal is calm first, nourish second, rebuild slowly.

This is not about detoxing, cleansing, or pushing the gut.

It’s about protection, hydration, and gentle repair.

Step 1: Calm the Gut (Short Term)

The traditional BRAT foods (which I know is mentioned in a lot if the support groups) can be helpful for 24–48 hours:

• Banana
• White rice or rice congee
• Stewed apple or applesauce
• Plain GF toast or dry rice crackers

These foods are soft, binding, and reduce irritation when the bowel is inflamed.

Step 2: Protect Fluids & Electrolytes

Chemotherapy-related diarrhoea depletes fluids, sodium, potassium, and magnesium.

Chemo-safe hydration options:
• Small, frequent sips of water
• Coconut water (diluted if needed)
• Weak herbal teas (chamomile or ginger)
• Homemade electrolyte water (water + pinch of sea salt)

Avoid icy drinks and large volumes at once — gentle and steady wins here.

Step 3: Rebuild Gently (As Symptoms Ease)

Once stools begin to settle, add nourishment without irritation:

• Bone broth or clear chicken broth
• Steamed carrot, pumpkin, zucchini
• Mashed potato or sweet potato (no skins)
• Poached chicken or soft eggs
• Cooked oats or rice porridge

Protein is important during treatment — reintroduce it softly and slowly.

Chemo-Conscious Gut Support - (Do check with your oncology team)

Often well-tolerated options include:
• Slippery elm or marshmallow root (gut-soothing)
• Zinc (short term, if appropriate)
• Strain-specific probiotics (not all are suitable during chemo)

Avoid:
• Harsh herbs and ines in alcohol
• “Detox” products including binding products normally used during detoxing
• High-dose antioxidants
• Anything stimulating gut motility unless advised

🌸 A gentle reminder

Persistent diarrhoea during chemotherapy must be reported to your oncology team. It can affect medication absorption, hydration, and recovery.

Supporting the gut is not a sign of weakness —
it’s a vital part of healing.

You deserve comfort, nourishment, and care during treatment 🤍

- The Healthy Living Naturopath 🌿

21/01/2026

Round Two Done — 20/1/26

Yesterday was my second round of chemotherapy, and it went so much better this time.

The portacath has already proven its worth. I was numbed up before the needle went in, and the whole process was calm, quick and gentle. No struggling veins, no repeated jabs — just smooth and straightforward. The wound is healing nicely and already feels like it’s making this whole process kinder on my body.

The session itself followed a familiar rhythm:
• First bag was steroids
• Then my standard three-bag chemo mix
• Finished with a flush

Everything felt organised and well supported.

Overall, I seem to have tolerated this round better than the first. There’s still been some nausea and quite a few “wobbles” — that unsteady, floaty feeling where your body just doesn’t quite feel anchored.

I’m not entirely sure yet whether that’s:
• a neuropathic effect in my hands and feet
• or related to my ESS and IIH
• or just my nervous system processing a lot

Most likely a combination.

Nothing alarming — just something to notice, respect and track.

So today is about fluids, rest, gentle movement, and listening closely to what my body needs.

One round at a time.
One step at a time.
Still moving forward 🤍

19/01/2026

Hands Only • Pathways First • Any Surgery

In the first few days after surgery, the body is in an acute healing phase.

Tissues are inflamed.
The lymphatic system is working hard.
Incisions and internal repair need to be protected.

During this time, we do not work over surgical sites and we do not use tools or gloves.

Instead, we focus on one very important step:

Opening the lymphatic drainage pathways.

Lymph cannot drain if there is nowhere for it to go.

By gently stimulating key lymphatic “exit points,” we help reduce congestion without disturbing healing tissue.

This approach:
✔ Supports natural fluid movement
✔ Reduces swelling pressure
✔ Calms the nervous system
✔ Helps the body adapt safely

This applies to any surgery — breast, abdominal, orthopaedic, gynaecological, cosmetic, or general surgery.

Hands-Only Lymphatic Support (First Few Days)

Step 1: Neck & Collarbone Area

Using clean, dry hands:
• Light, slow strokes just above the collarbones
• Gentle skin stretch toward the neck

This is the main drainage point for the entire body.

Step 2: Underarms (If Not Operated On)
• Very gentle circular movements
• Stay well away from surgical areas

If underarms were involved in surgery, skip this step.

What We Avoid Early On
✘ No pressure
✘ No massage over incisions
✘ No tools or gloves
✘ No stretching of healing tissue

The goal is support, not stimulation.

Once wounds are healed and swelling has stabilised:
✔ Gloves may be introduced
✔ Scar-adjacent work may begin
✔ More localised lymph support can safely follow

This is always guided by healing stage, not the calendar.
Healthy Living Naturopath
🤍 Gentle Reminder

Early lymphatic care is about creating safety in the body.

When the nervous system feels supported, healing improves.

Small, respectful care in the early days often prevents long-term congestion later.

18/01/2026

Lymphatic Massage After Mastectomy

Using Lymph Gloves or Brush – Gentle, Intentional, Effective

After a mastectomy, the lymphatic system has to re-learn how to drain.
Lymph vessels may be cut, lymph nodes removed, and scar tissue can redirect flow. The goal of lymphatic massage is not pressure — it’s guidance.

The gloves are ideal because they:
• Stimulate superficial lymph vessels
• Support scar-adjacent tissue without compression
• Encourage alternate drainage pathways safely

Before You Begin (Important Foundations)

✔ Always wait until surgical wounds are fully healed
✔ No massage over:
• Open wounds
• Active infection
• Red, hot, or inflamed tissue
✔ Keep pressure light — think stretching skin, not muscles

If you’re unsure, less is more. Lymph responds to gentleness.

Step 1: Open the Exit Pathways (This Is Essential)

Before touching the chest or scar area, always prepare the drainage points.

Using the gloves or a brush:
• Light strokes at the neck (above collarbones)
• Gentle circular movements in the unaffected armpit
• If both axillae were affected, focus on:
• Neck
• Upper back
• Side ribs

1–2 minutes only
This tells the body: “There’s somewhere for fluid to go.”

Step 2: Chest & Scar-Area Support (No Direct Pressure)

Once pathways are open:
• Use soft sweeping strokes

Direction:
• From the chest toward the armpit
• Or toward the side ribs and upper back
• Work around the scar — not directly over it at first
• Let the glove glide slowly, rhythmically

2–3 minutes
This helps reduce tightness, pulling, and fluid congestion.

Step 3: Shoulder, Upper Arm & Back

Post-mastectomy fluid often settles where people least expect it.

Using the gloves:
• Sweep from:
• Upper arm → armpit
• Shoulder → back
• Side ribs → back drainage areas

Especially helpful for:
• Sleeve tightness
• “Heaviness” sensations
• Restricted shoulder movement

2 minutes

Frequency & Timing

✔ Daily is ideal
✔ Best times:
• Morning (to get lymph moving)
• After showering
• Before gentle movement or stretching

Total time: 5–8 minutes

This is support, not a workout.

What Clients Often Notice

✨ Reduced swelling or “fullness”
✨ Softer tissue around scars
✨ Less pulling or restriction
✨ Improved arm comfort
✨ A sense of calm and body reconnection

Many women say this becomes a self-care ritual, not just therapy.

Final Gentle Reminder

The lymphatic system doesn’t respond to force — it responds to patience, rhythm, and respect.

Small, consistent care creates long-term comfort.

17/01/2026

“I healed… but I was never the same.”
If that sentence landed in your chest — this is for you.

Surgery saves lives.

But what we’re rarely told is that it also changes the lymphatic system — the body’s drainage, detox and inflammation control network.

Lymph vessels are cut.
Nodes can be disturbed.
Fascia tightens.
Nerves stay on alert.

Your body adapts — beautifully —
but adaptation isn’t the same as free flow.

That lingering swelling, heaviness, puffiness, inflammation or “something feels off” feeling?
It’s not in your head.
It’s your lymphatic system asking for support.

The good news - Flow can be restored.
Gently. Safely. Naturally.

Your body didn’t fail you.
It protected you.
And it can learn to flow again.

With love from me
The Healthy Living Naturopath
Gentle lymphatic restoration for women

16/01/2026

Yesterday and today have been hard.

The port pain has been uncomfortable, and the after-effects of the twilight drugs have lingered more than I expected. It’s been one of those stretches where your body just says, “Yep… that’s enough for now.” And I have to prepare for the next round of chemo.

On top of that, the hair loss seems to have sped up a little and my scalp is sore. It is like the follicles are trying to hold on but are failing. Even when you’re prepared, it still catches you off guard. It’s another reminder that this is real, and it’s happening — not just on paper, but in the mirror too.

However, our bodies are strange and wonderful things. In the middle of all this, something unexpected has happened — my knee joint, the one that’s battled osteoarthritis for some time, actually feels better. Less stiffness. Less pain. More ease. And I have been able to get up and down off the ground. (Not today though 😛)

So today in trying to stay positive I’m holding both truths:
• Some parts of this are genuinely tough
• Some parts show me my body is still responding, adapting, recalibrating

I’ll take any win at the moment — even the small, surprising ones.

And 2 out of 3 cats have been my constant companions - possibly supervisors today!

Still here.
Still honest.
Still moving forward 🤍