Blocked milk ducts, breast engorgement and mastitis are common problems associated with breastfeeding, especially in the first few weeks. There are a number of reasons that are behind this, but it is not always the same for each mother.  Our team will help identify why it has occurred and how to prevent it during your breastfeeding journey, whether it is due to you looking to increase your milk supply, maintain or wean off breastfeeding.

 

Sprint Physiotherapy is proud to be the leading Physiotherapy clinic in London to treat breastfeeding mothers who are suffering with mastitis.  We have developed a bespoke and unique treatment pathway with leading lactation consultants in order to achieve a targeted approach to alleviate pain, blockages and reduced milk flow in order to allow mothers to continue feeding their babies.  We use the latest guidelines and up to date evidence base in order to ensure mothers are given clear and safe advice on treatment strategies available to them.  We are proud to say that we are the only clinic in the UK that has also published its data on the efficacy of our treatment strategies alongside lactation/breastfeeding Consultants and midwives through the use of ultrasound therapy.

 

Our women's health team use ultrasound therapy and massage techniques to reduce the inflammation around the affected milk ducts in a safe and effective manner and will teach you self-help techniques and preventative strategies to reduce the likelihood of a reoccurrence.  You will mostly likely need between 2-6 treatments, depending on the severity of the blockage.  Our study data shows that most mothers (75%) start to see a positive change within 24 hours.

 

If you are suffering from blocked milk ducts or mastitis and have not been able to clear the block independently, we recommend that you seek treatment as soon as possible with one of our women's health physiotherapists.  You will be screened over the phone to ensure you do not need to seek advice or intervention from your GP in the case of an infection before you embark on treatment.  We work very closely with radiographers and breast surgeons for onward referral should we feel that treatment will not be effective, but this is rare.  Early intervention is key so contact us immediately if you feel you have a blocked milk duct that you cannot clear.

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LACTATION AND INFANT FEEDING SUPPORT

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Although breastfeeding is a natural experience, it's something that parents and baby must learn together, and this journey can be greatly improved with skilled expert support. Bottle feeding your baby is also a skill that gets better with practice but it's common to have problems and parents are often at a loss as to where to get help.

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Our Infant Feeding Clinic is dedicated to addressing a wide range of feeding issues, including breastfeeding and bottle-feeding difficulties, ensuring that all parents have access to the resources and expertise they need. By offering personalised support and expert advice, we aim to empower parents with the knowledge and confidence to navigate their unique feeding journeys, whether they are dealing with common challenges or more complex situations like feeding premature infants, twins, or supporting induced lactation.

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The presence of such support within a clinic enables us to focus on comprehensive care ensuring that parents have access to a wide range of professionals, including paediatric specialist physiotherapists, osteopaths, and our women's health team. This collaborative approach provides a robust support system, empowering parents to overcome challenges and nurture their babies with confidence and comfort.

Consultations usually last 90 minutes, allowing time to understand your family's unique situation, discuss your goals, and work collaboratively to achieve them. At the end of the appointment, we will agree on a feeding plan to guide you moving forward.

 

Follow-up consultations provide an opportunity to review how the feeding plan has been working for you and your baby, address any ongoing concerns, and explore additional options or questions you might have.​​​​​

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