Acupuncture can be helpful in restoring energy and healing for new mothers after the birth.
Although part of the natural rhythm of life, childbirth can leave new mothers exhausted and looking for support in their recovery. Acupuncture can be helpful in restoring energy and healing from the birth and is effective in doing this as soon as four or five days after the birth. In addition to the immediate healing process, acupuncture can help a myriad of postnatal symptoms, from cramps, to breastfeeding and anxiety or depression.
A ‘mother warming’ treatment can help new mothers recover and restore energy more quickly. There are also several other symptoms and ailments that can be experienced in those few weeks, post childbirth. Acupuncture is able to help with the following symptoms:
Abdominal cramps or afterpains
Persistent uterine bleeding
Night sweats
Problems with breastfeeding
Anxiety and depression
Recovery Time
The concept of adequate rest to ensure women completely recovered from childbirth is an important part of traditional societies – Asian and Indian families take this very seriously. It involves the idea that it will take women at least a month to fully recover from childbirth, sadly an idea not necessarily widespread or even encouraged in western society. In the west, partners or relatives may help out for a week or two, then, for most women, it's back to ‘normal’ on their own. We are encouraged to be running around, back in the gym and doing everything, but this is neither a realistic, nor healthy goal. Many women do seem to initially cope but may find that months later they are exhausted and can't seem to shake it off.
Treatment
Mother Warming can help the new mother have more energy and feel rejuvenated. It is a great way to gently aid recovery from childbirth and restore energy. It involves gently ‘warming’ the acupuncture meridians that run through the lower lower back and abdomen. It uses a Moxa stick to warm those acupuncture points for 5 – 10 minutes until they feel pleasantly warm.
Moxa is a dried herb called mugwort and is burned over the needles to warm them or used directly above the skin, over the acupuncture points. It is believed that Moxa has an influence on the energy of the body and has the ability to circulate and nourish Qi and Blood, giving a beneficial effect to a woman’s energy. This treatment can give relief and aid healing to any tender areas and help support the recovery of the uterus.
Frequency of Treatment
Ideally, acupuncture treatment is given once a week, beginning from two weeks postpartum for a total of three weeks to promote wellbeing, improve energy and aid a healthy and efficient recovery.