Objective: The 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.
Methods: Case files of postpartum women who presented to a chiropractic clinic between 2005 and 2011 with difficulties with breastfeeding due to blocked ducts were identified.
Results: Twenty-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.
Conclusion: For women reported in this case series, chiropractic management including ultrasound therapy was a beneficial treatment for women presenting with blocked ducts and difficulties breastfeeding.
Keywords: Breast; Breastfeeding; Chiropractic; Human; Lactation disorders; Mammary glands; Ultrasonic therapy.