Mastitis Treatment Melbourne
Mastitis Treatment
What is Mastitis?
Breast pain, swelling, and discomfort can be challenging and overwhelming to manage, especially if they impact your daily activities. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, you may be dealing with mastitis – a condition that affects many women, particularly those who are breastfeeding.
Mastitis occurs when the breast tissue becomes inflamed, often due to a blocked milk duct or bacterial infection. It can cause redness, pain, swelling, and warmth in the affected breast, sometimes accompanied by flu-like symptoms such as fever and fatigue. While mastitis is most common in breastfeeding women, it can also develop in non-lactating individuals.
Physiotherapy can be used in the treatment and management of mastitis by helping to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms.
PHYSIOTHERAPY
Signs and Symptoms of Mastitis
- Pain and tenderness on the affected breast, most commonly when touched or during breastfeeding
- Swelling and redness
- Heat and warmth around the affected area of the breast
- Fever and chills, as a response to an infection
- Flu-like symptoms such fatigue, body aches, and nausea
- Hard lumps may develop in the breast tissue, often indicating blocked milk ducts or a breast abscess
Causes of Mastitis
During breastfeeding, mastitis is commonly caused by a build up of milk within the breast, known as milk stasis, which may occur due to:
- Engorgement or blocked milk ducts – When milk is not fully drained from the breast it can lead to stagnation and inflammation
- Poor attachment or infrequent feeding – Ineffective breast milk removal can increase the likelihood of blockages developing
- Abrupt weaning or a sudden decrease in breastfeeding – A sudden reduction in feeding can contribute to engorgement and blocked ducts
Mastitis in both breastfeeding and non-lactating individuals may also be caused by:
- Cracked or sore nipples – Open skin can allow bacteria to enter the surrounding breast tissue, increasing the risk of infection. This often occurs during feeding but may also be caused by a piercing or other damage to the nipple
- Stress and fatigue – Physical and emotional stress can weaken the immune system, making the body more susceptible to inflammation and infection.
GLEN EIRA PHYSIOTHERAPY
How Physiotherapy Can Help with Mastitis
Physiotherapy can be a beneficial component of managing mastitis, aiming to relieve symptoms, promote quicker recovery and reduce the risk of recurrence. Here’s how physiotherapy may help:
Manual Therapy
Our physiotherapists utilise non-invasive manual therapy techniques to help alleviate congestion, increase circulation and reduce discomfort.
- Breast Massage: Gentle massage techniques can help relieve congestion in the breast tissue, promoting better milk flow and reducing swelling
- Lymphatic Drainage: Lymphatic drainage techniques can help reduce swelling and improve circulation in the breast, promoting the natural drainage of excess fluids and easing discomfort
- Therapeutic Ultrasound: Therapeutic ultrasound utilises high-frequency sound waves to penetrate deeper into the breast tissue to help reduce inflammation and pain
Education
We can provide tailored guidance and advice to help you manage the symptoms of mastitis and prevent further complications.
- Guidance on positioning and latch techniques to ensure that the baby is feeding effectively. This helps prevent nipple damage and ensures that milk is properly emptied from the breast, reducing the risk of a blocked duct developing.
- Self-massage techniques to help milk to be absorbed back into the lymphatic system
- Advice on how to keep the breast clean and dry to reduce the chance of infection
Preventing Recurrence
If you’ve experienced mastitis previously, physiotherapy can help you develop a plan to prevent mastitis recurring
GLEN EIRA PHYSIOTHERAPY
Why Choose Glen Eira Physiotherapy?
Experienced Team
Our physiotherapists are experienced in providing comprehensive and compassionate care across a wide range of health concerns. Whether you need mastitis treatment, pregnancy support or women's health physiotherapy, we're here to help.
Personalised Care
Our physiotherapists work closely with you to understand your symptoms and lifestyle, tailoring treatment to your individual needs and helping you find the best approach to your recovery.
Comprehensive Treatment and Prevention
We aim to not only help you address your current symptoms but to provide the tools and treatment to help prevent recurrence and future complications.
MASTITIS TREATMENT
Support your Breast Health with Physiotherapy
