The use of Ultrasound for the treatment of Mastitis

Mastitis is a painful blockage of the milk duct of the breast. Symptoms include swelling, redness, tenderness, localised increased temperature, generalised malaise and occasionally fever.

It is a painful condition occuring most commonly 2-4 weeks post partum in the breast feeding mother. Generally, the pain is derived from both the physical blockage as well as the resultant inflammation. Severe and prolonged mastitis can cause infection and sometimes abscess formation. The latter would need treatment with antibiotics, whereas the former can be treated with physiotherapy.

Physiotherapy treatment may include gentle massage, self instruction on massage, reassurance to continue breast feeding, even the use of lactation aids such as expression pumps and ultrasound. During pregnancy you will have become familiar with ultrasound imaging. Another form of ultrasound is used extensively in physiotherapy for treatment of soft tissues injuries. Ultrasound is a sound wave, which delivers a mechanical massage at the natural resonance frequency of our bodies, 50hz. By using this frequency, in effect the ultrasound is massaging at a cellular level. This vibration most likely improves lymphatic drainage, cell membrane permeability, and increases arterial inflow and venous outflow. It probably also calms nerve endings.

Physiotherapists have been using this form of treatment for over 40 years. Sharna Hinchliff, herself a mother of 4, including twins, knows a lot about issues associated with pregnancy and the post partum period. Don't hesitate to contact us for more information.

 Uploaded : 17 October 2019