Ultrasound as a treatment of mammary blocked duct among 25 postpartum lactating women: a retrospective case series

ObjectiveThe purpose of this case series is to report the outcomes of 25 postpartum women who were experiencing difficulties with breastfeeding and were treated using therapeutic ultrasound.MethodsCase files of postpartum women who presented to a chiropractic clinic between 2005 and 2011 with difficulties with breastfeeding due to blocked ducts were identified.ResultsTwenty-five cases were retrospectively identified of women who presented with a breast lump that was consistent with a blocked duct. Eight women experienced recurrent blocked ducts (5 had multiple episodes while nursing the same child; 3 women experienced episodes with more than 1 child). Patients had been treated with therapeutic ultrasound, receiving between 1 and 7 treatments (average, 3.3) to experience improvement in their presenting symptoms. A majority of the patients reported improvements in breastfeeding and symptoms after treatment. No adverse reactions were identified in the patient records.ConclusionFor women reported in this case series, chiropractic management including ultrasound therapy was a beneficial treatment for women presenting with blocked ducts and difficulties breastfeeding.