The Use of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Treatments for Post-Partum Problems
Chinese Medicine’s potency stems from its ability to deal with the underlying roots of disharmonies, that when treated allow for long-term results. Some of the issues women in post-partum delivery experience include:
o Insomnia
o Inadequate Lactation
o Back Pain
o Post-Traumatic Stress
o PND (Post Natal Depression)
o Night Sweating
o Post-Partum Bleeding & Persistent Lochia
o Mastitis
o Tiredness, Fatigue
Insomnia
Insomnia may turn into an unremitting cycle and may contribute to other conditions such as anxiety, natal depression, and tiredness/fatigue. According to Chinese Medicine, the blood houses the Shen or spirit. When the body has inadequate amounts of blood to house shen, then it brings about disturbed insomnia and other symptoms and amongst other maladies. Usually this inadequacy is due to fluid loss (sweat) and blood loss as well as heat in the system that dries up the blood that can arise during child delivery pregnancy and/or after delivery. To remove blood stagnation and heat, rebalance qi, tonify yin, and balance the system support may come in the form of acupuncture, herbal remedies, and diet.
Treatment and acupoints are chosen based on the classification that’s determined in Traditional Chinese Medical diagnosis.
Inadequate Lactation
Acupuncture is quite effective in treating inadequate lactation. In a depleted state, the body has inadequate resources to provide and maintain sufficient milk production during breast feeding. After birth, this is a common experience especially when blood and qi are depleted. Systemic support and nourishment through herbs and acupuncture to rebalance the blood and qi is a very good way of addressing inadequate lactation naturally.
Back Pain
Back pain acupuncture treatment is one of the most widely used applications of acupuncture. Postpartum women are especially susceptible to ailments in the back due in part to kidney qi depletion for the development of the baby. The kidney is the organ system that controls the lower back. Support can come in the form of acupuncture and herbs to tonify kidney qi and blood, and rebalance the system.
A qualified and experienced acupuncturist who may be referred by your doctor, chiropractor, or osteopath can diagnose and differentiate the causative factors of your back pain.
Post-Traumatic Stress
Acupuncture in Linwood can be effectively applied on post-traumatic stress. The treatment assists in the removal of energetic trauma that has arisen in the body, supports the normal functioning of organs, and calms the nerves and the shen. It is a very good complement for counseling therapy.
PND or Post Natal Depression
According to Chinese Medicine, various factors can cause PND. Support through acupuncture and herbs to rebalance the treat blood inadequacy and stagnation, and remove heat and damp are ideal ways of restoring the body back to health and vitality. Acupuncture and herbs are also very effective therapies when combined with counseling.
Night Sweating
A common problem that occurs during postpartum is night sweating. In Chinese medicine, this is symptomatic of too much heat in the system, or blood or yin deficiency. Any loss in fluid, whether by tearing, urination, or sweating can be a cause or a sign of an imbalance and needs to be properly addressed. Common night sweating-associated patterns of disharmony include qi stagnation, jing deficiency, stagnant heat, accumulation of damp and heat, accumulation of toxic heat, blood and qi deficiency, and yin deficiency. Your acupuncturist needs to differentiate and treat these patterns in order to rebalance your body system. This can be accomplished with Chinese herbs and acupuncture bringing about long-lasting results. During your initial consultation guidance and advice will be given by your acupuncturist based on your health status.
Post-Partum Bleeding & Persistent Lochia
Binding or keeping body structures in place (i.e. blood in the vessels) is one of the functions of qi. If qi is weak, prolapses or leakages can occur. When there is too much heat in the system, bleeding may also occur.
Postpartum bleeding (in small amounts) is normal for up to four or six weeks; if after this time bleeding still persists, from the viewpoint of Chinese medicine, this is already considered pathological. When postpartum bleeding continues for a considerable period of time, it severely depletes the body and needs to be stopped before more serious complications arise. Herbal and acupuncture treatment can be used to rectify this issue efficiently and quickly.
Mastitis
From the perspective of Chinese Medicine, mastitis can be the result of several factors. To restore balance to the system, treat blood stagnation, clear heat and damp, and boost the flow of blood and qi, acupuncture and herbs can be used.
Antibiotics may be necessary if this issue is not addressed early enough.
Tiredness, Fatigue
Tiredness, anxiety, and fatigue are very common experiences in postpartum women. To tonify blood and qi, Chinese herbs and acupuncture are recommended to return your body to a state of vitality and health.