The Benefits of Acupuncture for Postpartum Women

Pregnancy and childbirth take an immense toll on a woman’s body: physically, mentally, and emotionally. Unfortunately, these stressors culminate while trying to care for the new arrival.

In those precious first months, while everyone is focused on figuring out the baby’s needs, remember that the new mother’s postpartum health and well-being should be a top priority as well. Even though they may be struggling with their health, many postpartum mothers are reluctant to start new medications that may have side effects for them and their baby. Alternatively, they may think that it’s just “part of being a woman” or that they need to put their baby’s needs first. Self-care feels like a lower priority or even “selfish,” so they suffer in silence. However, a well-cared-for mother is the first step toward a well-cared-for baby.

Luckily, there is an alternative to medication that can help new mothers recover quickly and feel better than ever before. Postpartum acupuncture is a safe, effective solution to many of the difficulties that women face after childbirth. Let’s take a look at how different types of acupuncture work, their safety and effectiveness, and how they can be helpful to any woman as she navigates through the difficult postpartum period.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is an ancient type of needling therapy used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) where an acupuncturist inserts thin, solid needles into specific points of the body, called acupoints, to balance the patient’s vital energy or “qi.” However, after years of research, acupuncture has become a respected practice in Western medicine as well, due to its ability to stimulate the nervous system and improve the communication between nerves. Acupuncture triggers a natural release of endorphins that improves the patient’s whole-body health and wellbeing.

For some patients, the application of mild electrical impulses to the acupuncture needles, called electroacupuncture, can increase its therapeutic effects. However, it’s important to note that electroacupuncture is not considered safe during pregnancy.

The Effectiveness of Acupuncture

Meta-analysis of numerous clinical studies focused on the efficacy of acupuncture have shown that it can be as effective as traditional Western treatments such as medication and physical therapy, with far fewer side effects.

A 2014 randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science studied 85 women who had been diagnosed with postpartum depression. The control group received a standard Western treatment of 20 mg of Fluoxetine, while the experimental group received acupuncture therapy along with psychological intervention. After six weeks, depressive symptoms had decreased equally in both treatment groups. However, side effects like nausea and dizziness were reported in the fluoxetine group, whereas the acupuncture group reported no adverse events.

Another recent systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials (RCTs) focused on postpartum hypogalactia (low milk production) found a significant increase in milk production following acupuncture treatment.

The Safety of Acupuncture

Acupuncture is considered quite safe when it is conducted by a properly trained and licensed acupuncturist. Side effects like minor pain and bruising at the injection site may occur, but are short-lived. However, attempting acupuncture on yourself or receiving it from an unlicensed practitioner can lead to serious adverse events. Unsterilized needles can cause infection, and improper insertion techniques can cause permanent nerve damage or punctured organs. It’s very important to choose a certified or licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac, DAOM, DACM, or D.C. – Acupuncture Certified) and to communicate your full health history with them before beginning any new treatment.

Yes, but does it hurt? While the thought of getting punctured with several needles may sound unpleasant to say the least, patients report that the pain during the procedure is negligible, most even enjoy it!

Acupuncture Benefits for Postpartum Women

Acupuncture is a safe, effective option for postpartum care. It can be used to treat many common ailments that affect new mothers during the postpartum period.

Chronic or Acute Pain Relief

Considering what a woman’s body endures during a pregnancy, it’s not surprising that the resulting aches and pains can hang around for weeks or even months after birth. Back pain from carrying a pregnancy, pelvic pain following childbirth, and incision discomfort following an episiotomy or c-section are all common complaints during the postpartum period. Pain is one of the most common reasons that patients seek out acupuncture, and it can be a highly effective way to manage discomfort.

Psychological Support

Fatigue, exhaustion, a change in routine, and increased physical pain can all contribute to the stress and anxiety many women face when becoming a new mother. Whether it’s a mild case of the “baby blues” or postnatal depression, acupuncture is an underutilized effective tool in the field of psychiatry and women’s health in general.

Breast Health

Breastfeeding can be a struggle even under the best of circumstances, but when you are facing Mastitis, lactation difficulties, or low milk production, it can quickly become overwhelming. Acupuncture treatments can help increase milk production, decrease pain and inflammation, and improve the breastfeeding experience for both the mother and baby.

Hormonal Regulation

Normal hormonal fluctuation is an important part of the pregnancy, childbirth, and recovery period. However, when a woman’s hormones become imbalanced for too long it can contribute to fatigue, irritability, night sweats, and low milk production. Acupuncture therapy can help to regulate estrogen and progesterone production and improve thyroid and pituitary function.

Dignity Restoration

Nearly every new mother deals with constipation, gas and bloating, painful hemorrhoids, embarrassing urinary incontinence, persistent uterine bleeding, and unpredictable menstrual cycles, but many are reluctant to discuss these private struggles. Postpartum acupuncture can relieve the distress and empower women to feel like themselves again.

Everyone Could Use Support

Even relatively “easy” births can leave new mothers feeling like strangers in their own body. Acupuncture treats a wide variety of ailments and can be a helpful component of any postnatal healthcare treatment plan.

New mothers don’t need to suffer in silence. If you or the new mother in your life would enjoy the many benefits of acupuncture, contact Meridian HealthCare, at 330-797-0070 to schedule an appointment with one of our licensed acupuncturists and see how postpartum acupuncture can improve your overall well-being.