Did you know that physiotherapy can help with Mastitis? At Core Physiotherapy, our talented Women’s Health Physiotherapists are able to help relieve symptoms associated with it.
What is Mastitis?
Mastitis is painful breast inflammation that can lead to infection if not treated quickly. You may have a red, swollen and painful breast. Mastitis can also cause fever and flu-like symptoms.
Inflammatory mastitis is usually caused by a blocked milk duct within the breast tissue. If left untreated, this can lead to acute bacterial mastitis, or the development of an abscess. To prevent bacterial mastitis, prompt treatment of the affected breast is best started at the first signs of inflammation.
Symptoms
The symptoms of Mastitis can come on very suddenly and knowing what to look for is important to catching it early.
Symptoms can include:
• Breast swelling, and tenderness to the touch
• Redness, blushing, or shiny red streaks throughout the breast tissue, it may also be warm to the touch
• Whole body symptoms, such as shivers and body aches, similar to signs and symptoms of the flu
• Nipple discharge
How Can Physio Help Mastitis?
A Women’s Health Physiotherapist will take a detailed history and assess the affected breast to determine the best treatment option. A therapeutic ultrasound may be used. Therapeutic ultrasound can be used for both mastitis and blocked milk ducts. It may help to open the ducts and increase circulation to improve the flow of milk. By increasing the milk flow, it can help reduce pain and swelling.
In most cases, therapeutic ultrasound is effective and an improvement in pain and lump size can be seen within in 1-3 sessions
If you think you or someone you know may be experiencing mastitis, and would like to make a booking with one of our Women’s Health Physiotherapists, please press the button below!
This blog was written Jaye Simpson (Practice Manager), from our Aberfoyle Park practice.
