Chris says,

<< the latest research
 in human physiology, orthopedics, chiropractic, and exercise physiology (not
 specific to breastfeeding) states that heat should NOT be applied when
 inflamation is present.  Cold is the treatment of choice until inflammation
 is gone.  Now, if we are talking about true "mastitis", meaning inflammation
 of the breast (as opposed to infection), then ice would be the choice.>>

Chris, I'd love some specific references to that r/t to lactation and
mastitis.  While I agree that an injured muscle requires cold; while edema
responds better to cold than to heat (see Winnie's cogent post on
engorgement), I'm not sure that the inflammation of the breast responds
better to cold.  Generally speaking, when the breast is red, there is also an
infectious process going on -- otherwise, why is the breast red?  Yes, there
can be non-infectious inflammation -- caused by what?  How would you
differentiate between non-infectious inflammatory mastitis, and infectious
mastitis?  Is the only difference between them a temperature in the mother,
fever, achyness, etc?  And if the breast is red (inflammed), and she has a
fever, achyness, etc, and is on antibiotics, should she use icy cold
compresses on the breast -- or as Lawrence suggests, heat?

Do we have evidence to back up either one -- as to which speeds the healing
process more quickly?

Does anyone have anything that would back up either one?

<<  In
 the case of Candida Albicans it is torture for most women to apply ice (one
 distinguishing factor between bacterial mastitis and fungal infection).>>

If you are talking about candida of the nipples, in point of fact, most women
prefer cool water on their nipples as opposed to warm.  In fact, to the point
that it is almost a hallmark of a differential diagnosis.  I probably
wouldn't go so far as to put ice on the nipples, but it is certainly soothing
to put cool-cold water on rather than warm-hot.  Whereas in positional sore
nipples, or for a mom that has a bacterial infection of the nipples, she much
prefers warm water.  But I haven't asked a mom w/ deep ductal yeast to put
either icy or hot compresses on the breast, so can't respond to that.

 <<You are correct that once upon a time, not that long ago, we were all
taught
 to use heat on injured tissue.>>

1999 -- Lawrence.

Is the inflammed breast the same as a pulled muscle in the calf?

  <<It sure feels better, but it causes large
 amounts of lymph to be deposited in the tissues directly in contact with the
 heat.  Confusing, I know... >>

Also brings more blood to the area with an increased amount of white blood
cells to fight whatever is causing the inflammation.  A mastitis isn't an
injury to the tissue in the same way that spraining the ankle is an injury to
the muscles and tendons in the ankle.  I had something my chiropractor
referred to as "shoulder impingement syndrome" which he had me using ice on.
But there was no obvious inflammation of the shoulder or bursa.  If there had
been red streaks or redness there, I think he would have used heat.


Obviously I need more help w/ this.

Jan B -- in Wheaton.

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