title: Recapturing the art of therapeutic breast massage during breastfeeding.
abstract: Milk expression is a normal part of breastfeeding, but in developed countries in particular, the focus tends to center on mechanical expression. In Russia, there is a long tradition of hands-on techniques that continues in the present day and includes mothers turning to providers trained in hand expression and breast massage techniques to resolve breastfeeding complications including engorgement, plugged ducts, and mastitis. As observed over the course of several trips to Russia, Russian clinicians routinely combine hand expression with breast massage for the treatment of milk stasis, engorgement, and plugged ducts. A better understanding of these hands-on techniques to assist in resolution of complications may provide additional treatment options for the lactation community.
authors: Breastfeeding Medicine of Northeast Ohio, Cleveland, OH 44121, USA. mayab64@yahoo.com
authors: Maya
authors: M
authors: Bolman
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Saju
authors: Karine
authors: K
authors: Oganesyan
authors: Tatiana
authors: T
authors: Kondrashova
authors: Ann M
authors: AM
authors: Witt
mesh_terms: D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000379:methods*; D061186:Breast Milk Expression / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007775:Lactation Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D008405:Massage / Q000379:methods*; D008413:Mastitis / Q000628:therapy*; D012426:Russia
keywords: Russia; breast massage; breastfeeding; engorgement; manual expression; mastitis; plugged duct