Mastitis and Breast Care

At Peak Flo Physio, we understand the challenges that new mums face, especially in the postpartum period. One of the most common yet often unexpected difficulties is breast engorgement and mastitis. As pelvic floor physiotherapists, we provide comprehensive care not just for your pelvic health but for your overall postpartum recovery.

What is Engorgement and Mastitis?

Breast engorgement occurs when the breasts become overly full, leading to swelling, discomfort, and sometimes pain. If not managed properly, this can progress to mastitis, a painful infection of the breast tissue that requires immediate care.

How We Can Help

At Peak Flo Physio we offer a holistic approach to treating engorgement and mastitis, ensuring you feel supported every step of the way.

  • Therapeutic Ultrasound: We use therapeutic ultrasound to help reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and encourage milk flow, speeding up the healing process and providing immediate relief from pain.

  • Feeding Position Optimisation: Sometimes, small adjustments to how you position your baby during feeding can significantly relieve pressure and discomfort. We'll work with you to find positions that enhance milk flow and prevent further blockages.

  • Comfort Measures & Manual Therapy: Through gentle massage and manual lymphatic drainage techniques, we help reduce swelling and tenderness. We also provide advice on heat and cold therapies to relieve discomfort and speed recovery.

  • Education on Self-Care: We’ll guide you through effective strategies to prevent engorgement from developing into mastitis, including how to manage your feeding routine, hand expression techniques, and ways to keep the breast tissue healthy.

Book your appointment today or give us a call on 0421170699 if you have any further questions.

FAQs

  • While engorgement involves swollen, firm breasts that may be tender, mastitis often presents with more severe symptoms, such as fever, chills, and flu-like symptoms in addition to breast pain and redness. Often Therapeutic ultrasound is most effective when we get engorgement prior to it turning into mastitis.

  • Yes! Therapeutic ultrasound is a safe and non-invasive treatment that helps to reduce inflammation and encourage healing without affecting your ability to breastfeed.

  • Many mums report relief from discomfort after their first session. However, a full recovery may take a few days of combined treatment and at-home care.

  • Absolutely. In fact, continuing to breastfeed is one of the best ways to resolve mastitis. We will help you find comfortable positions to nurse and avoid further irritation.