Mastitis: Non-medicated options for treatment
What is mastitis?
It is an inflammation of the breast, commonly due to a blockage. In the breast, there are lobes which are made up of many smaller lobules, the glands that produces milk. Ducts serve to connect the lobes and lobules and carry the milk to the nipple.
A blockage of these ducts prevents the breast milk from flowing easily, causing the milk to spread into the surrounding tissue, producing inflammation. A bacterial infection may or may not be also present.
What does it look like?
A blocked duct presents as a painful, hot, swollen, firm mass in the breast, with or without symptoms of a fever. If you have symptoms of a fever, it is good to visit your GP to check whether you need antibiotics or not.
Who can get it?
Mastitis is a condition that affects mainly breastfeeding women, but can affect women who are not even breastfeeding or pregnant. In Western women, the incidence of postpartum mastitis is 20%.
Risk factors
Risk factors can include:
Cracked nipples
Poor attachment to the breast
Previous history of mastitis
Wearing a bra that is too tight
Stress/overly tired
Nipple pain during feeding
How do I prevent it from happening?
Ensure your baby is latched on properly and is feeding well
Breastfeed as often as your baby wants to
Avoid missing or putting off feeds
Rest
Alternate which breast you start to feed with
Consider waking your baby when your breasts become too full. If your baby doesn’t want to feed, you may need to express a small amount of milk
Avoid pressure on your breasts when feeding
What can I do if I have it?
Keep breastfeeding regularly, from the affected breast first – it is safe for your baby
Make sure your baby is latched on well and that you are relaxed and comfortable to help the let-down reflex work (the triggering of the milk by the baby’s sucking)
Use a warm pack before feeding (to assist milk flow) and an ice pack afterwards (to reduce inflammation)
Use a breast pump to drain the breast
Rest, and ensure you have good nutrition and fluids
Wear comfortable clothing and an appropriately-sized bra
Take panadol or nurofen – they are safe whilst breastfeeding
Position the baby appropriately in order to drain the breast better (ask your GP or a Women’s Health Physiotherapist)
How can Physiotherapy help?
When Physiotherapy treatment is sought, often the symptoms can be resolved more quickly. There are a variety of natural, non medicated treatments that Physiotherapists can use to help women suffering from mastitis. These include:
Therapeutic ultrasound – to help open up the ducts and assist in removing the blockage
Gentle massage – to assist in draining any fluid that is associated with inflammation
Education – to encourage self-management and to prevent it happening again in the future
Kinesiotaping to enhance drainage
If you have any questions regarding your breast health or are interested in seeing if we can help you, please give us a call at (02) 8411 2050. Here at Thornleigh Performance Physiotherapy, we can give you an accurate diagnosis and treatment, to help you get back in action as soon as possible. We are conveniently located near Beecroft, Cherrybrook, Hornsby, Normanhurst, Pennant Hills, Waitara, Wahroonga, Westleigh, West Pennant Hills, and West Pymble.
References
Cooper, B. 2005, Physical therapy intervention for treatment of blocked milk ducts in lactating women, Quinnipiac University.
http://www.kellymom.com/store/handouts/concerns/mastitis-tips.pdf
https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bf-info/common-concerns%E2%80%93mum/mastitis
https://www.thewomens.org.au/health-information/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-