For many new moms, breastfeeding is a special bonding experience and the optimal way to nourish their newborn baby. Sometimes, however, nursing mothers face challenges with the feeding process. One of the common disruptions on the breastfeeding journey is inflammation in the breast, often caused by clogged milk ducts. Breast inflammation can cause extreme discomfort and pain as well as emotional trauma, fortunately, it can typically be relieved fairly quickly with proper care.
Understanding this condition and knowing how to manage it can make all the difference, and physical therapy may play a valuable role in recovery.
Breast inflammation can be thought of as a spectrum. It may start as localized swelling and tenderness but can escalate to more severe symptoms if not addressed. In some cases, systemic symptoms such as fever and flu-like feelings may indicate the presence of an infection (mastitis).
What is breast inflammation?
While it was once commonly referred to as “clogged milk ducts,” this term is now understood to describe a disruption to the breast’s microbiome and an inflammatory process rather than a simple obstruction.
What Causes Breast Inflammation?
Inflammation of the breast can result from several factors, including:
Oversupply of milk
Stress or fatigue
Changes in feeding schedule
Poor latch or tongue tie in an infant
Illness
Wearing tight bras or restrictive clothing
A lactation consultant or pediatrician can help assess latch issues or rule out conditions like tongue tie that might contribute to inflammation.
What if I feel like I have a clogged milk duct?
The symptoms of breast inflammation commonly include a red, tender area on the breast, often including a firm, painful lump in the breast tissue. There can be heat with the inflammation as well. The condition typically presents with slow milk flow, which can lead to a fussy, frustrated baby and a stressed mama, exasperating the situation. Additionally, you may experience extreme pain during feeding or pumping – particularly during letdown – that subsides as the pressure is slowly relieved.
Assessment and education are fundamental to resolving clogged milk ducts, as well as to preventing recurrence.
Women’s Health Physical Therapists work closely with lactation specialists, collaborating in guidance to nursing moms. Together they work to ensure that the infant is positioned optimally for feeding and is latching effectively.
If an infant struggles to latch, pediatricians and lactation consultants will assess for tongue tie, a condition that restricts the tongue’s range of motion.
When a baby is born with tongue tie, a short, tight band of tissue tethers the tongue’s tip to the floor of the mouth. Because a baby uses the jaw, gums and tongue to pull the milk out of the nipple, this condition can inhibit their ability to receive a satisfying volume of milk at a fast enough pace. In this situation, the breast is not effectively drained which can lead to a clogged milk duct.
In the absence of tongue tie, a poor latch can often be associated with poor posture or body mechanics while breastfeeding. Physical therapists can assess these components and make corrections to reduce strain on your body and help facilitate optimal milk flow.
5 Tips for managing breast inflammation or clogged milk ducts at home
If you’re experiencing breast inflammation, there are steps you can take to manage the condition and promote healing independently:
Continue Frequent Feeding or Pumping: Regularly draining the breast helps reduce inflammation. Change feeding positions to ensure all areas of the breast are drained.
Apply Breast Gymnastics: Gently move the breast in all directions using both hands before nursing or pumping to encourage milk flow.
Practice Breast Massage: Gentle breast compression and manual lymphatic drainage can help reduce swelling. Use the full surface of your hand and avoid applying painful pressure.
Use Ice Therapy: After feeding or pumping, apply an ice pack or perform ice massage for 6-8 minutes to reduce inflammation.
Maintain Shoulder Mobility: Stretch your arms in all directions and let them swing freely during walks to optimize circulation and mobility.
How physical therapy can help with breast inflammation or clogged milk ducts
Physical therapy can provide targeted solutions for breast inflammation by incorporating techniques to alleviate discomfort and support milk flow. A physical therapist can guide you in:
Heat therapy
Proper breast massage techniques
Shoulder mobility exercises to improve circulation
Breast gymnastics for optimal milk drainage
Additionally, physical therapists may use therapeutic ultrasound, such as Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound (LIPUS), to reduce inflammation and promote tissue healing. While not a standard treatment for every case, ultrasound therapy can be particularly effective in reducing swelling and encouraging milk flow when combined with massage.
Exercise to avoid breast inflammation
Strength and flexibility support successful breastfeeding.
Muscle imbalances can exasperate breastfeeding challenges, including the occurrence of clogged milk ducts. Prescribed exercises and stretches can address weak and tight muscles, improving posture and a mother’s ability to comfortably maintain proper nursing position for extended periods, ensuring their baby has time to adequately drain each breast – the most important factor in avoiding clogged milk ducts.
Enhancing breastfeeding success through relaxation techniques
Stress can adversely affect a nursing mother’s milk production and letdown reflex, which can lead to breast inflammation. Physical therapists can help ward off the negative effects of stress by teaching deep breathing, mindfulness and other management techniques.
If a mother’s stress has resulted from a clogged milk duct, her physical therapist will also help by reinforcing the importance of hydration, nutrition, movement and sleep and by creating a customized plan of care that incorporates each of these factors. Focusing on these aspects of their health can help new mothers maintain a healthy milk supply and reduce the chances of developing breast inflammation.
When to seek medical care for breast inflammation
If you experience systemic symptoms such as fever or chills, contact your healthcare provider, as these symptoms may indicate an infection. Once you’ve experienced breast inflammation, you may be at a higher risk for recurrence throughout your breastfeeding period and with future pregnancies. Early intervention can prevent complications and help you avoid clogged milk ducts and maintain breastfeeding success.
Find relief with Physical Therapy
Breast inflammation doesn’t have to derail your breastfeeding journey.
Breast inflammation/clogged milk ducts can be distressing for nursing mothers, but physical therapists – along with lactation specialists and pediatricians – can provide support and relief to patients struggling to overcome this challenge.
If you’re a nursing mom struggling with clogged milk ducts, consider consulting a physical therapist experienced in women’s health or lactation support. They can offer a personalized approach to managing pain, improving milk flow, and promoting overall health.
Remember, seeking help early can lead to quicker relief and a more enjoyable breastfeeding experience for you and your baby.
Physical therapy for new mothers
Research shows that being active and working with a physical therapist after having a baby provides many benefits for new moms. A PT can help you in the recovery process after childbirth and provide optimal care for conditions such as clogged milk ducts. Make your postpartum physical therapy appointment today!
