Evaluating the outcome of a physiotherapy intervention in the treatment of mastitis, blocked ducts and engorgement in the lactating breast

Physiotherapists are well placed within the multidisciplinary team to offer safe interventions for the management of the symptoms of mastitis, blocked ducts and engorgement (MBE). However, these are not widely utilized in the UK. The purpose of this service evaluation was to evaluate patient satisfaction with treatment and outcomes following a physiotherapy intervention. The World Health Organization recommends that all infants are breastfed exclusively for 6 months. Despite the known benefits, the UK has some of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world. A primary cause of premature cessation is pain, which can result from MBE, with mastitis alone affecting up to 25% of lactating women. The target population was breastfeeding mothers who had utilized the clinic’s mastitis service for therapeutic treatment of MBE between January 2021 and January 2023. A service evaluation was conducted using telephone questionnaires. Verbal informed consent was obtained prior to data collection. The protocol, which was uniquely developed by the principal clinicians in this service evaluation, included therapeutic ultrasound, manual therapy, advice and education. Ninety-two per cent of participants found the treatment helpful, 76.5% reported an initial improvement in symptoms within 24 h of treatment, and 76% said that the protocol helped them to continue breastfeeding for longer. The participants reported that the protocol was effective for managing the symptoms of MBE, and that it supported an increase in breastfeeding duration.