Postpartum Recovery with Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine

In the first six weeks following childbirth, a mother’s health is particularly vulnerable to both internal and external factors and she may experience several new symptoms as her body adjusts to the changes that have just recently taken place. In Chinese Medicine it is essential to address the health of the mother at this time as a host of subsequent health problems can originate from this time period or exacerbate pre-existing conditions. In addition, because of the extreme bond that mother and child share through nursing and physical and emotional contact, the health of the child is directly linked to the health of the mother, which is why it is doubly important to refocus efforts on the mother at this time.

The initial three days following childbirth are considered a cleansing period whereby the body should be allowed to naturally expel all excess blood and bodily products. A tonification period begins four or five days after delivery. “Motherwarming”, a technique involving moxibustion (heated moxa stick) that is used to warm the abdomen, is given around this time to boost the mother’s energy and encourage recovery from a natural or caesarean delivery. Following this procedure, acupuncture, moxibustion and dietary therapy can be commenced 10-14 days following birth. This tonification process can continue for a period of 30-100 days and is recommended to encourage a healthy recovery from labour and prevent future health concerns.

While some may consider this amount of time more than sufficient and are ready to get back to routine after a few weeks, this period should be considered a time for the mother to recover not only from birth but also from pregnancy. During this time, a woman should take time to rest at every opportunity and especially when baby is asleep. Mild exercise is acceptable as long as it invigorates the mother and does not lead to more exhaustion. Some general dietary recommendations for boosting energy and nourishing blood during this time include: (boost energy) oats, potato, sweet potato, mushroom (button and shitake), yam, basil, cinnamon, clove, dill, fennel, fenugreek, ginger, nutmeg, rosemary, thyme and jasmine tea; (nourish blood) corn, sweet rice, beetroot, dark green leafy vegetables, apricot, avocado, date, kidney bean, sesame seeds, egg and soya milk, red meat and spinach.

In addition to assisting in a mother’s post partum recovery, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture can be used to treat the following postnatal concerns:

• Pain: breast engorgement, perineal and abdominal afterpains, side effects from surgical or other procedures
• Insufficient Lactation or Absent Lactation
• Mastititis
• Hemorrhoids
• Depression and Anxiety

Pain: Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can alleviate pain and discomfort related to breast engorgement, perineal pain, abdominal afterpains, and pain related to caesarean section, as well as any other pain arising from complications in childbirth, by promoting local blood circulation, relaxing tight and tense muscles in the area, healing scarred tissue and releasing pain-controlling endorphins.

Breast engorgement and Mastitis: Along with proper breastfeeding techniques to drain the breast, acupuncture and Chinese medicine can promote local circulation in the breast to help unplug ducts, prevent infection, and reduce swelling and pain.

Insufficient Lactation: Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can promote local circulation in the breast to encourage milk production and flow. Acupuncture can also improve a mother’s coping mechanisms to deal with stress and overriding emotions such as worry, anger, frustration, or resentment, all of which can exacerbate this condition.

Absent lactation: The lack of production of breast milk is often a result of long or difficult labour, or profuse blood loss which consumes the body’s energy and blood. A combination of acupuncture, herbal medicine, and moxibustion can replenish the body’s qi and blood levels to encourage the production of breast milk.

Hemorrhoids: Acupuncture in the adjacent areas of the buttock and lower back regions can assist in resolving hemorrhoids. In addition, herbal prescriptions may be recommended to address this issue.

Depression and anxiety: Postpartum depression as a result of diminished blood and energy levels as well as previous emotional and/or physical stress can greatly benefit from acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine and help ease the transition into motherhood.