Getting you back to

Breastfeeding and Pumping

Blocked milk ducts are a common and painful condition affecting lactating women. A blockage obstructs milk flow in the involved duct. This can result in pain, inflammation, and decreased milk supply. Blocked ducts can progress to mastitis, a bacterial infection in part or all of a breast. They can also lead to a breast abscess, which is a pocket of pus that forms in the infected area. These conditions are common reasons why women discontinue breastfeeding.

Signs and symptoms of a blocked milk duct include a tender or painful area of swelling in the breast. This is commonly triangular in shape. You should seek medical attention if you have an area of localized redness with warmth and a fever as this may indicate an infection.

blocked milk duct

Who Can You See for Diagnosis and Treatment Advice?

At Glencoe Regional Health, providers in our family medicine, midwifery, and obstetrics and gynecology departments can diagnose and provide medical treatment for blocked milk ducts. 

How Can Physical Therapy Help?

The goal of physical therapy is to reduce pain and improve breastfeeding and/or breast pumping by unblocking the milk duct.

What Can You Expect During Evaluation and Treatment?

At the first visit, your therapist will perform a thorough evaluation to assess your blocked milk duct. Next, your therapist will create an individualized treatment plan. She will discuss the treatment plan with you, including the number of treatment sessions and activities that will be included in future therapy sessions to reach your treatment goals.

Physical therapists use the following treatment techniques to treat a blocked milk duct:

  • Moist heat is applied to the involved areas for 10 minutes at the start of the session
  • Manual therapy, the skilled use of the therapist’s hands, is performed with a gentle rolling motion and pressure to the affected area to express the milk through the blockage
  • Education is provided regarding breast anatomy, baby positioning recommendations, instruction in self-massage techniques, and preventive strategies

Special Considerations: If you have mastitis, your provider will start you on an antibiotic, which you must be on for 24 hours before initiating physical therapy. If you don’t have an active infection, therapy should be started within 48 hours from the onset of symptoms in order to prevent a blocked milk duct from progressing to mastitis.

Immediately following the treatment, breastfeeding or breast pumping is recommended. Please bring your baby or breast pump to your appointment.