What is mastitis?
What is mastitis?
Ducts are the tunnels that carry the milk from deep in the breast to the nipple openings. Sometimes these ducts can become blocked. Milk builds up behind the blockage and a painful lump forms. Your breast may become engorged in one area and might also look red.
Mastitis is usually the result of a blocked milk duct that has not cleared. Some of the milk banked up behind the blocked duct can be forced into the nearby breast tissue, causing the tissue to become inflamed. The inflammation is called mastitis. Infection may or may not be present.
Common causes of mastitis
Improper positioning/latching
Sore/damaged nipples
Fatigue/stress
The pressure of a tight bra/purse strap
Over-productive milk
Hurried/infrequent/missed feeds
Feeding on one side more
Pump with an ill-fitting breast shield
What are the symptoms?
When you start to feel painful, hard, and solid blocks building up over parts of the breast gland, and you can feel the limitation of flow coming from the hardened area, it may be a good idea to seek help. You can start by applying warmth using a heat pack to ease the pain around the blockage. If the symptom persists, it is a good idea to acquire our help.
What do we do in women’s health physiotherapy?
Ultrasound therapy involves using sound waves to penetrate deep into the lactation glands to warm up the blockage. It is effective in helping the hardened black to dissolve and allow flowing.
A heat pack or warmth to the affected breast before a feed can help with milk flow.
Massage over the lump in circles towards the nipple
Compression and massage towards the nipple with feeding
Feed on the affected side first when the baby is sucking vigorously.
Position of baby: chin pointing towards the blockage to provide maximal clearing.
Hand expressing or pumping milk post-breast-feeding if needed.
Cold pack afterward if sore.
Repeat frequently.
Should resolve in 24-48 hours – if the blocked duct does not resolve it can cause mastitis – Which occurs in 9.5%- 33% of women.
