title: Ultrasound as a treatment of mammary blocked duct among 25 postpartum lactating women: a retrospective case series.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors: Chiropractor, Private Practice, Kirkland, Quebec, Canada.
authors: Valérie
authors: V
authors: Lavigne
authors: Brian J
authors: BJ
authors: Gleberzon
keywords: Breast; Breastfeeding; Chiropractic; Human; Lactation disorders; Mammary glands; Ultrasonic therapy