84 Burnett St Bundaberg
After childbirth, there are many potential symptoms and issues that can arise. But could acupuncture help to alleviate some of the common symptoms associated with the postpartum period?
Let’s take a look at what the research suggests and how acupuncture may support you during this time. Can acupuncture help with postpartum symptoms?
Not to be confused with the ‘baby blues’, postpartum depression is a serious health condition that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. You may experience mood swings, insomnia or hypersomnia, low libido, exhaustion, inability to bond with your baby and even suicidal tendencies.
While we strongly recommend seeking psychological support for any depressive symptoms, acupuncture may be a useful addition to your self-care toolbox.
One study found that combining acupuncture with psychological treatments was just as effective as anti-depressant medications. It also found that there were no adverse reactions to acupuncture, whereas the medication caused nausea, dizziness and loss of appetite.
A lesser known but common complication of childbirth is postpartum urinary retention. For most women, this will resolve itself within 2-6 days. However, some do experience symptoms for weeks on end.
Studies suggest that a viable alternative to catheterisation for urinary retention is acupuncture. One trial found that 92% of women treated with acupuncture were able to urinate naturally within one hour of their treatment.
Another common issue that mothers face is low milk supply. This is particularly concerning if the parents plan on exclusively breastfeeding, as the mother may feel guilty at being unable to supply the baby with what is needed.
Some studies have shown that acupuncture can restore normal breast milk production to lactating mothers that have a low milk supply. It was found that those who received acupuncture also had increased prolactin, which may explain how the milk production increased for them.
One thing that every new mother can agree with is that it is exhausting! Feeling fatigued, drained and depleted is a symptom that the majority of postpartum women face.
And it’s no wonder – you’ve just housed a new human being for 9 months and then brought them into the world! That takes up a lot of nourishment and energy. But this can be a big issue, particularly for women who may not have a solid support system to help them manage and care for the baby on low energy days.
As there are so many potential contributing factors to postpartum fatigue, there isn’t research that specifically looks into acupuncture for relieving it. However, acupuncture may be able to relieve symptoms of low energy by:
Are you considering acupuncture as a tool to relieve your postpartum symptoms and pain? Our acupuncturist Jamie is here to help. By using acupuncture along with other tools such as dry needling and remedial massage techniques, he can help to alleviate pain and stress and have you feeling great again!
To book an acupuncture appointment with Jamie at our Bundaberg clinic, book an appointment online here or call us on (07) 41522372
