Is it a Problem If You Suffer From Breast Tenderness, Fullness and Lumps?

Breast tenderness and fullness, particularly before the menstrual period, is a very common problem experienced by women. It can vary from mild to very severe fullness, pain and swelling. In many cases this problem is accompanied by lumps in the breast. These signs and symptoms indicate a problem with the flow of Qi or energy to the breast area and should not be a normal occurrence over a long period of time.

In Chinese Medicine the organs associated with the breast area are the Liver and Stomach, with the Liver and Stomach channels both flowing to the breast. The Liver organ is responsible for balancing the Qi around the breast area. If the Liver and Stomach organs are not balanced it will cause the Qi and Blood to become stagnant and blocked, thereby obstructing the flow of energy to the breast area. This leads to the symptoms of tenderness, swelling and pain. If left untreated the blockages will increase, causing prolonged and chronic period problems and the possible formation of breast lumps and cysts. In some cases this can lead to non-cancerous and cancerous breast disease.

Traditional Chinese Medicine, including acupuncture and herbal medicine is effective in treating breast fullness and distension, particularly before the problem becomes chronic in nature. Treatment aims to balance the Liver and clear the toxins and blockages from the body to prevent worsening of the condition. Chinese Medicine recommends that women, especially before the period, choose activities that support the Liver. These include exercise, a healthy diet and balanced lifestyle to prevent Liver toxins accumulating.