Motherhood is delightful, but the postpartum period challenges your body and mind. After childbirth, you will be tired, have hormonal changes, mood swings, and lingering discomfort from childbirth. A natural way of recovering helps to heal better.

Acupuncture, a key technique of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), promotes postpartum healing. It helps you manage your hormones by stimulating specific points in your body that help with stress, pain, and lactation. Acupuncture strengthens your energy, boosts sleep, and enhances emotional stability by improving circulation and restoring balance. If you want a natural route for postpartum care, Art of Chinese Healing provides expert acupuncture tailored for you. Contact our Los Angeles team today to experience personalized treatment that restores your well-being. But first, familiarize yourself with how acupuncture after birth optimizes recovery with the information below.

Understanding the Postpartum Period

Postpartum care typically starts right after the delivery of a baby and lasts for six to eight weeks. However, every woman will not recover at the same time. Often referred to as the fourth trimester, this time requires your body and mind to adapt after pregnancy and delivery. By understanding these changes, you can better manage your recovery and feel more at ease.

Recovery progresses in stages. Your body focuses on healing the first one to two weeks. So your uterus will contract. There will be bleeding after giving birth. Any cuts and tears will begin to heal. By weeks three to six, discomfort often fades, energy levels are balanced, and breastfeeding falls during this time. At six weeks, some women feel strong again, while others require a longer period and undergo rapid shifts during this period. The lochia, postpartum bleeding, gets lighter as the uterus contracts back to its pre-pregnancy size. During this phase, there are dramatic changes in hormones. Estrogen and progesterone drop, while prolactin rises to support breastfeeding. Due to these changes, a woman can feel tired, sweaty at night, sore, and lose hair temporarily. If stitches were made during your vaginal delivery or c-section, then caring for them should help with healing. Common complaints include:

  • Pain in the perineum
  • Back pain
  • Digestive changes
  • Engorgement of breasts

Emotionally, this phase can be just as demanding. Many women experience the baby blues. They have mood swings that make them tearful or leave them feeling overwhelmed. This lasts for about two weeks. Women with postpartum depression could lose interest in their babies, relationships, and life in general.  Coping with sleep deprivation, healing, and caring for a newborn is stressful. Talking and seeking support from loved ones helps.

Taking care of yourself helps heal both body and mind. Healing is all about eating well, drinking fluids, and getting enough sleep. Move around, go outdoors, and connect with people to boost your mental health. Seeking professional advice and giving yourself time through the highs and lows of recovery creates a more balanced transition into motherhood. Every postpartum journey is different, and by listening to your body and accepting help, you can set yourself up for success.

How Acupuncture Works From a TCM Perspective

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a holistic view of health, emphasizing balance in our Qi, meridians, and Yin and Yang. Qi is the energy that flows through the body along meridians that connect the body’s organs and tissues. Illness and discomfort occur when Qi is stalled or deficient or when yin and yang are unbalanced. After having a baby, the body and emotions undergo many changes, so rebalancing is essential.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture is a technique that heals by stimulating specific points along the meridians. Thin needles activate these points to regulate the flow of Qi, alleviate stagnation, and replenish deficiency. The body's natural healing process is enhanced, promoting better circulation, endorphin, and nervous system release. Rather than just masking discomfort, acupuncture treats symptoms and their underlying root causes.

After giving birth, your Qi and blood are depleted, making your body vulnerable. Giving birth requires intense physical exertion, which can lead to blood loss as well as hormonal changes. This can exhaust energy levels and cause an imbalance between:

  • The Yin — The nourishing or cooling energy
  • The Yang — The energetic or warming energy

If you do not get proper restoration after childbirth, this more significant depletion can persist, affecting recovery and long-term health. The postpartum period, also called the postnatal period, is a crucial time for replenishing and should be when the body regains strength.

After birth, you may quickly get depressed, and this can be treated by acupuncture. Activating points along the spleen and stomach meridian will improve digestion to improve absorption of nutrients to rebuild the blood supply. After giving birth, many women experience anxiety, irritability, or postpartum blues, often because of hormonal fluctuations. Acupuncture calms the nervous system by stimulating points on the liver meridian responsible for your emotions. Acupuncture after having a baby will boost blood flow and energy. This will help speed up healing and reduce pain in cesarean scarring or perineal bruising. Acupuncture helps with milk supply for breastfeeding mothers, helping with the baby’s nourishment, flow, and energy. This will help speed up healing and reduce pain in cesarean scarring or perineal bruising. Acupuncture helps with milk supply for breastfeeding mothers, helping with the baby’s nourishment.

An accurate diagnosis is essential to TCM, as women may experience postpartum recovery differently from one another. A practitioner checks the pulse and appearance of the tongue along with medical history to determine if specific symptoms are due to Qi deficiency, blood stagnation, or yin-yang imbalance. If the spleen is sluggish, blood may not be produced adequately, resulting in fatigue and dizziness. If there is excess cold, Yang energy may not rise adequately, which causes sluggish blood circulation and discomfort. Acupuncture fixes the above imbalances. This means treatment is tailored rather than generalized.

According to TCM, the liver is important for postpartum recovery. The liver stores and regulates blood, which is easily depleted with childbirth. The depletion can also cause dizziness, loss of hair, and emotional instability because the liver controls the smooth flow of QI. Acupuncture points like Liver 3 and Spleen 6 can help nourish liver blood, calm the mind, and restore energy. This can help prevent postpartum depression or anxiety.

Acupuncture is more effective when combined with adequate rest and nourishment. Foods that warm the body, like iron-rich soups, replenish the blood. Sleeping enough allows the body to heal itself.

Benefits of Acupuncture for Postpartum Recovery

Acupuncture can help with your emotional health and physical healing after giving birth. New studies and people’s experiences are showing its benefits. Some of the key benefits include:

Emotional Well-Being

Acupuncture solves stagnant liver Qi and depleted blood that create postpartum depression and make one moody and tired. Liver 3 and Pericardium 6 promote Qi movement and nourish the heart. Multiple studies, including one from 2010 published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, have suggested that acupuncture could increase serotonin and dopamine, which can be good for mood regulation. Most women will notice a more balanced and stable emotional state post-treatment.

Acupuncture can help with postpartum anxiety by calming the nerves through excess heart or liver Qi. Acupuncture of Heart 7 and Yin Tang calms racing thoughts to promote relaxation. A 2018 study published in the Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies reported that acupuncture reduces the nervous system, helping to relieve stress and promote relaxation. Points like Shen Men help balance your Yin and Yang, making you feel less dazed.

Physical Healing and Pain Management

Acupuncture reduces postpartum pain, particularly from perineal tears, episiotomies, C-sections, and back strain. Acupuncture points like Spleen 6 and Large Intestine 4 help enhance blood flow and reduce swelling. Research in Pain Medicine in 2016 confirmed acupuncture is effective for post-surgical pain. Many patients have reported relief from delivery pain.

Acupuncture aids in uterine involution by restoring the spleen and kidney Qi of the body. Using points like Stomach 36 and Kidney 3 can help blood grow and qi move, allowing the uterus to return to its normal state after pregnancy. While large-scale studies are lacking, TCM practitioners note faster recovery with treatment.

After using acupuncture, the person with constipation gets better. Points Stomach 25 can help digestion and bowel movement. A review published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in 2015 showed that acupuncture worked well to treat chronic constipation, a condition TCM physicians have successfully treated through other means for centuries.

Lactation Support

Acupuncture can stimulate points in the body that improve the Qi and blood in the breasts, helping with lactation. Small Intestine 1 and Stomach 18 assist in milk production, and Gall Bladder 41 for regulated overproduction. A pilot study published in the Journal of Human Lactation in 2019 found acupuncture increases milk volume, and many mothers reported better flow and comfort.

For mastitis, acupuncture eases inflammation by facilitating the flow of qi. Liver 3 and Stomach 44 can help reduce swelling. Some studies show acupuncture may help speed up the healing effect of antibiotics, plus years of anecdotal evidence support this.

Energy and Sleep

Fatigue after giving birth often comes from depleted spleen and kidney Qi. Acupuncture improves energy using points like Spleen 6 and Kidney 7. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine reported that acupuncture significantly improved chronic fatigue. The same benefit will help postpartum fatigue.

Acupuncture calms the shen, the mind or spirit, to treat insomnia. Points like Heart 7 and Anmian help regulate sleep cycles. A 2015 meta-study in the Journal of Sleep Research found that acupuncture works for insomnia, which aligns with reports from new mothers who sleep better.

Additional Benefits

Acupuncture also helps you with hair loss, night sweats, and hormones. Acupuncture points like Liver 8 and Kidney 6 help nourish blood and restore yin energy. Acupuncture has been used for a long time because of its positive effects on many people. Even as research continues to catch up, acupuncture can help you have an easier and better postpartum recovery.

What to Expect During a Postpartum Acupuncture Session

A postpartum acupuncture session is a tailored treatment to restore your equilibrium. Acupuncture combines TCM and practical care to address fatigue, pain, mood swings, and difficulties related to lactation. Understanding the acupuncture process will ease your mind, whether it is your first visit or your treatment is already underway. Here is a look at what you should expect:

The Initial Consultation and How it Helps You Understand Your Needs

After checking in, your consultation will begin, which is part of TCM. The provider collects information about your medical history, focusing on issues during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum symptoms. This test is more than just chatting. The acupuncturist will:

  • Diagnose your pulse at both wrists, which will show differences in Qi and organ function
  • Examine your tongue, which will reveal blood flow, Yin-Yang balance, and overall health

After this assessment, the practitioner creates a treatment plan that addresses the causes of your postpartum issues.

Needle Insertion

The practitioner will prepare while you lie down comfortably on a treatment table. They use sterile, single-use needles as thin as a person’s hair, 0.16 to 0.30 mm in diameter, to insert at the targeted points.

Spleen 6 enhances energy, and Liver 3 brings emotional balance. Both are essential in postpartum care. Most people describe the feeling as a little pinch or nothing at all. When placed accurately, the Qi energy can flow seamlessly in the body to heal itself.

Sensations During Treatment

Once the needles enter, you may feel subtle sensations, like gentle warmth, tingling, or a pleasant heaviness. These movements of Qi are a healing response. The needles will remain in place for 20 to 40 minutes so your body can recalibrate. You go into deep relaxation when you enter a peaceful space with dim lights and soothing music. During this time, you do not just rest. You also recover as your blood circulation improves, tension will ease, and balance will be restored.

Post-Treatment

The practitioner removes the needles quickly and painlessly, with no leftover marks. The total time for each full session, including consultation, is 45 to 60 minutes. Many admit feeling relaxed immediately, having more energy, and sleeping better. However, the full benefit builds over several treatments. This session begins a healing process that extends beyond the treatment table, helping your postpartum recovery.

Additional Therapies

Acupuncture is typically combined with TCM therapies for optimum results. Burning the herb mugwort in points like Stomach 36 warms the body and boosts Qi. It is great for uterine healing when there is fatigue or a constant feeling of cold. Not only does it warm the body and strengthen Qi, but it also assists in posterior healing.

You can also expect your acupuncturist to use cupping. Cupping therapy uses suction cups to relieve tension and increase blood flow, relieving postpartum pain. Tui Na is a specific type of Chinese massage that helps reduce tightness and enhance energy flow. These therapies are chosen according to your diagnosis and help improve the benefits of acupuncture while creating a holistic healing experience.

Navigating Postpartum Recovery

At the end of your appointment, the practitioner will provide a treatment plan. They will recommend weekly visits. This ensures that you receive continued support as you regain strength. You are one step closer to restoring wellness and reclaiming vitality with every appointment.

Acupuncture is a safe and helpful method of postpartum recovery if you work with a licensed professional. Experts maintain strict sanitary conditions and use sterile, single-use needles for infections. Acupuncture has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine and is safe for new mothers who experience difficulties after delivery.

Side effects are expected but typically mild and do not last long. You may have some bruising or soreness at the needle sites, but it goes away quickly. Some women feel tired or dizzy briefly after their first treatment, but resting usually helps. If this is done correctly, serious infections, nerve injury, and damage are virtually nonexistent.

Acupuncture is usually safe, but certain conditions require caution. Notably, do not get treated if you have a bleeding disorder or active infection, especially near where you had your C-section. Wait for a doctor’s approval for the treatment. After some time post-C-section, acupuncture can be helpful, though practitioners avoid needling fresh scars. Let your acupuncturist know if you use blood thinners for a safer treatment.

Nursing mothers can be assured acupuncture will not harm their milk supply or quality. You can receive treatment with confidence that it helps with postpartum recovery and will not compromise your ability to breastfeed.

Integrating Acupuncture With Other Postpartum Care

A successful postpartum care plan depends on a holistic approach that blends acupuncture with Western medicine to speed up recovery. By itself, acupuncture is effective for easing pain, fatigue, and emotional changes. However, the results will be greater when it is part of a more extensive care plan. Talk to your doctor or midwife about any medical issues you have, like C-section recovery or postpartum symptoms.

Holistic postpartum care includes acupuncture but also other essential recovery elements. Nutrition is important. Foods rich in iron, protein, and vitamin sources like leafy greens, lean meats, and whole grains can help restore nutrients lost at birth. Rest, often elusive with a newborn, should be prioritized. Sleep when your baby sleeps to help you heal physically and mentally. Drink lots of water. It enables you to form breast milk and fight fatigue.

Emotional support is also crucial to your recovery. Seek support from your loved ones or postpartum support groups if you feel isolated and overwhelmed. Acupuncture’s ability to balance mood offers another way to de-stress. Stretches like walking or postpartum yoga can put strength back in your body and add to the energy-boosting benefits of acupuncture.

Find an Acupuncturist Near Me

Acupuncture can be helpful after giving birth. It can help with physical and emotional issues. It relieves pain from your C-section or perineal tear, boosts your energy to fight fatigue, promotes lactation, and improves sleep. Acupuncture can help ease your transition into motherhood by balancing your qi and calming your nervous system to reduce depression, anxiety, and stress. Acupuncture, a crucial part of holistic postpartum care, promotes your body’s natural healing while improving emotional well-being. This gentle practice, which has been around for years, works with Western medicine to help you feel more stable.

Are you considering acupuncture to enhance your postpartum care? Our licensed Los Angeles acupuncturists at Art of Chinese Healing can customize your treatment for an optimally healthy and happy fourth trimester. Contact us at 310-405-1610 today and start your path to complete healing.