Clogged Duct? How a Pelvic Floor Therapist Can Help You Find Relief

Dec 29

Painful Breastfeeding Conditions

Are you breastfeeding and experiencing clogged ducts or mastitis? A pelvic floor therapist may not be the first person you think to reach out to for help with your clogged duct, but they are uniquely trained to provide support for this painful condition, as part of their holistic approach to caring for new moms.

How the Treatment for Clogged Ducts Has Changed

A clogged milk duct is when breast milk cannot flow through your breasts to your nipple because the duct transporting the milk is clogged or plugged. Mastitis occurs when this area becomes infected.

If you have either of these conditions, you become desperate for relief! In the past, women were told to add warm compresses and aggressively massage the area. New research has shown that a clogged duct is caused by inflammation, so our care has changed. Gone are the days of aggressively massaging the breast and applying heat. Instead, we recommend ice, gentle touch, and therapeutic ultrasound.

How a Pelvic Floor Therapist Can Help

At Chicago Mama Physical Therapy in Barrington, IL, we have a specific clogged duct protocol we use for clogged ducts. We use techniques such as therapeutic ultrasound, gentle lymphatic drainage, KT taping, postural education, and vagus nerve stimulation. Our goal is to calm the nervous system, reduce inflammation and restore your milk flow.

clogged milk duct relief — *The gentle sound waves from the therapeutic ultrasound help break up blockages, reduce inflammation, and improve circulation, helping your milk flow more freely again.*

clogged duct symptoms — KT tape helps reduce inflammation from clogged milk ducts by gently lifting the skin, which creates space for better lymphatic drainage and improved circulation. This helps decrease pressure, soften congestion, and support more natural milk flow without compressing the breast.

pelvic floor therapy for clogged duct — *Lymphatic drainage does not release toxins into breast milk. It simply improves fluid movement to support healing.*

What to Expect at Chicago Mama Physical Therapy

At Chicago Mama Physical Therapy, our focus is getting to the root cause of any issue. Physical therapy is highly effective at helping women with clogged ducts. Here is how we stand out:

Dedicated attention for one-on-one sessions that last one hour and you will never be handed off to an aide
Treatment in the privacy and comfort of a tranquil private treatment room rather than a busy physical therapy gym
You will always be seen by the same physical therapist instead of seeing different practitioners each visit
Your therapist is specialized in the field of pelvic health and physical therapy
We will treat you as a whole person looking not only at your clogged duct but the rest of you with a focus on helping you understand and prioritize your goals

You do not have to live with pain — healing is possible.

Next Steps For Healing

It's important to seek care as soon as possible with a clogged duct. The sooner you come in, the sooner you will experience relief. If you’re ready to meet with a pelvic floor therapist, we’re here to support you. We also work closely with lactation consultants and OB/GYNs to make sure you’re getting the full support you need.

Schedule your free discovery call today to learn how pelvic floor therapy for clogged ducts can support you on your healing journey.

If you’re in Barrington, IL or the surrounding Northwest suburbs, visit chicagomamapt.com/contact or call 312.554.5146.

Schedule Now!

Amy Fetch