A clogged milk duct or a blocked duct often results in a tender or painful lump or firmness in the breast. The skin around the clog may also be red and warm. With a clogged duct, typically you do NOT have a fever.

Clogged milk ducts can happen for a number of reasons including incomplete emptying of the breast, poor positioning of babe on the breast or a poor latch, prolonged time between feedings, wearing underwire bras or bras that are too tight or ill fitting, some infant behaviours such as twisting/ pulling or tugging of the nipples or a combination of some or all of the above. Frequent or persistent clogged milk ducts can lead to developing mastitis. Clogged ducts can resolve on their own within 24-48 hours without any special treatment, however if the blockage persists, therapeutic ultrasound can be incredibly effective at resolving them or preventing recurrent blocked ducts.

Mastitis is an inflammation and an associated infection of the breast tissue, typically caused by a clogged milk duct. It’s when the blockage has progressed to a bacterial infection and presents with increased pain, redness, a fever and “flu-like” symptoms. Mastitis needs to be treated with antibiotics prior to receiving therapeutic ultrasound treatment to address the underlying blockages. 

Research has shown therapeutic ultrasound treatments can be effective in managing and treating mastitis. Our physiotherapists are able to use therapeutic ultrasound to treat the clogged ducts and prevent them from reoccurring. 

Therapeutic ultrasound works by passing extremely high frequency sound waves through the skin barrier to improve circulation, improve tissue permeability, decrease inflammation, promote fluid drainage and decrease pain in the affected breast(s).