Breast Pain & Lactation (Mastitis)
What is Mastalgia and Mastitis?
Mastalgia is the name for breast pain often experienced by breastfeeding mothers. Mastitis is the inflammation or infection of breast tissue. The symptoms associated with mastalgia are similar to mastitis and usually include: pain, swelling, palpable lumps in the breast, redness with fever and general malaise with mastitis.
Mastitis is a main reason why mothers prematurely wean. It is experienced by up to 33% of breastfeeding mothers in the first six-weeks postpartum, usually in the first two to three weeks.
It is very important to seek help urgently if you think you are suffering from mastitis. Early detection and intervention of breastfeeding problems resulting from lactating pain can prevent the use of antibiotic medicines, particularly if the problem can be practically managed through drainage and clearance of the blocked ducts with Physiotherapy. This will allow mothers to return to breastfeeding.
How can I recognise mastitis?
It often presents as local breast pain, erythema (rashes), swelling, systemic fever and malaise (lethargy) associated with hard lumps in the breast tissue or the areola (nipple). The discomfort can also present in the axilla (underarm) or near the sternum (chest bone).
What causes the condition?
The causes are not yet well understood why some women suffer this and others do not. The hard lumps are usually blocked milk ducts caused by inflammation of the surrounding breast tissue. Careful assessment by a suitably qualified Physiotherapist who is specially trained in treating lactating breast pain is needed to help alleviate and manage the condition.
How can Physiotherapy address breast pain and mastitis?
Our Lactation Pain Physiotherapist is able to provide practical treatment to assist in successful breastfeeding by managing inflammatory breast conditions, including mastitis.
Our protocol includes:
Assessment of your breastfeeding history, symptoms and breast tissue
Breast feeding issues between mother and baby related to breast pain
Education on how to minimise risk factors for breast pain & mastitis
Advice and explanation of self-administered techniques to maintain well-being & prevent mastitis / mastalgia
Treatment to reduce inflammation
Use of therapeutic ultrasound
Manual therapy and taping techniques to improve lymphatic drainage
Liaison with your midwife to ensure optimal breast-feeding regimes
Our aim is to allow you to return to breastfeeding
There is compelling research that indicates the health benefits of breastfeeding for mothers including the prevention of illnesses such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, osteoporosis and various cancers.
The health benefits for infants range from reduced incidences of respiratory tract and gastrointestinal infections, diabetes, asthma, cardiovascular disease, obesity to sudden infant death syndrome.
Our Lactation Pain Physiotherapist has an important role in both assisting breastfeeding and general well-being for mother and baby.
For issues relating to breastfeeding, request to see our Lactation Pain Physiotherapist when you are making an appointment.
Our team of therapists will ensure that you have optimal care throughout your treatment and support you in returning to full physical health.
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