Mastitis treatment in Perth
Mastitis is the inflammation of breast tissue. It mostly occurs in breastfeeding mothers and can be accompanied by infection.
Tracy Woodward, one of our principal physiotherapists has been successfully treating new mothers with mastitis for many years and her results are excellent. By combining therapeutic ultrasound and gentle massage along with the advice she gives drawing on her wealth of knowledge in the area of lactation, Tracy has given countless mums great and quick relief from the pain and trauma of mastitis.
For mums who don’t know much about mastitis, here is a useful guide for you.
The three main causes of mastitis:
- Infection – This accounts for about 50% of mastitis cases. Bacteria infect the breast through a crack in the nipple or through the opening to the milk ducts in the nipple.
- Engorgement – The breast becomes overfilled with milk which causes increased firmness and tenderness. This may happen when the breast is not fully drained during breast feeding
- Blocked ducts – This may occur if your baby does not attach properly or if there is a preference for one breast. Ill-fitting bras can also cause obstruction.
General symptoms are:
- fever (about 38 degrees)
- general aches and pains
- nausea and vomiting
- exhaustion
The affected breast can become:
- red
- hot
- painful
- swollen
- hard
Strategies to help prevent or ease mastitis:
- Rest! This is easier said than done for any new mum, but your body needs to rest to allow for more efficient healing so it is worth sending out an SOS to partners, grandparents and friends to help you out if you have mastitis.
- Experiment with different feeding positions. Your baby will most effectively drain the part of your breast where her chin is pointing to while she feeds, so try to position her with her chin pointing towards the affected area.
- Ice packs or gentle heat are equally effective at reducing pain and swelling, there is evidence to support the use of both these modalities, but Tracy’s preference based on what has worked for her clients is gentle heat prior to breastfeeding. This helps the blood flow to the breast and the dilated milk ducts can drain with ease.
- That old wives tale of placing cabbage leaves from the fridge inside your bra really does work, try it and see!
- If your baby has finished breastfeeding but you can feel that your breast is not fully drained, express the rest by hand.
- Do not rush your baby off the breast, some babies are not efficient feeders and take a while to drain a breast completely.
- Keep well hydrated.
- Wear a maternity bra during the day but sleep without a bra at night. This can be messy if you have an abundant milk supply but laying some towels over your sheets will soak up the spills and your breasts will not be constricted at night.
If you are experiencing a fever with your mastitis, it means you have an infection, so you need to seek medical help immediately. If you have mastitis symptoms but do not yet have a fever then physiotherapy treatment should clear the blockage before infection sets in and antibiotics are needed.
For any further information about mastitis or to book an appointment with Tracy, please contact us.
