Hi Valarie,
Ultrasound is suitable for persitant blocked duct - relolving mastitis where
blocked ducts are still a feature;  for pain relief during mastitis, for
chronic or recurrent mastitis that is slow to respond.  It works by heat and
mechanical movement of the area which facilitates the circulation to and
drainage from the area.  It should always be followed by emptying the breast
preferably by baby feeding off the breast.  It should not be used instead of
or preceding management outlined or if any doubt about the diagnosis
=>especially breast abcess or neoplasis.
(this comes from a talk by Dr Maria Cigolini, the paper I recieved during a
lit. search on the subject of Mastitis and ultrasound.)

In Australian Physiotherapy Vol 37, no 1, 1991  "Ultarsound treatment for
breast engorgement:  A randomised double blind trial"  This study showed
that both true and sham (placebo) ultrasound machines were effective in
reduring subjectively perceived pain and hardness.  However the results of
this study show that the effect cannot be attributed to the ultrasound
component.

In Breastfeeding review May 1993 issue, in a letter it states that
"ultrasound is contraindicated in cases of infection (Wadsworth, Chenurgen
1983)  The letter is written about the use of ultrasound and engorgement.

Australian Family Physician Vol 23 no 5 May 1994, is a letter from Carolyn
Lawlor-Smith (who is on Lactnet) who mentions a study on Engorement and
ultrasound that was done at Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne.  The trial
could not detect an objective beneficial efect of ultrsound on breast
engorgement.

Hope this helps.
Val in Busselton, Western Australia
RN RM IBCLC----- Original Message -----

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