permission to post What kind of physical therapy (US? cold lazer?) is beneficial in releaving severe induration of subacute mastitis? Mother 7 weeks postpartum seen on request of her OBGYN for a case of significant "engorgement" in her L breast of at least a couple weeks duration.Patient was seen by an outpatient LC who did recommend agressive pumping, cabbage leaves and hot soaks and by her OBGYN who started her on antibiotics and did at least 3 sessions of manual expression with patial success. First baby was breastfed without major problems, but mother was using a nipple shield all the time (no comment) Second baby (the one who is 7 weeks old) is breastfed on R breast only, with the nipple shild that is too big (will address this issue on the follow-up appointments). Baby was diagnosed with failure to thrive and on recommendation of his pediatrician breastfeeding was stopped for 3 days completely (?!) and then artificial milk supplementation was started. Baby is now receiving not more then 50% of his nutrition as the breast milk. On exam L breast was severely indurated with a warm to touch mass size of a good fist just under the areola, not movable, painful on palpation. nipple was retracted, overlying skin erythematose with bluish discoloration, some peeling noted. Emergency US in the local breast center consultation revealed severe mastitis and 3.5 cm abscess. Breast surgeon did not see any indication for surgical intervention and recommended to continue with present care. I definitely will show mom how to use the electric toothbrush (did not want to touch her without ruling out other, more nastier causes of induration...), but would like to be a little bit more aggressive in this case. TIA, Alla *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask] COMMANDS: 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome