Postpartum is a unique and intense period in our lives where we experience more physical and emotional demands than ever. Acupuncture, herbs, and a form of heat therapy called moxibustion can help you nourish yourself so you can take on these challenges.

Regardless of how your baby was born, acupuncture and moxibustion can help speed up your postpartum recovery. Most ancient cultures were excellent at honouring postpartum as a time for bonding and healing. In China, it was customary for the new mother to spend 30 days resting indoors while being cared for by her family.

While this is unlikely in today’s culture, there are a few traditions we can carry on, such as Mother Warming. Mother Warming is a simple technique that uses a heat therapy called moxibustion.

Though Acupuncture is the best-known part of our culture, moxibustion has been a central part of East Asian medicine for over five thousand years. Moxa itself is a plant that is used to warm specific acupuncture points. Around day 4 or 5, postpartum moxa is used to warm the lower abdomen and lower back to help speed recovery. It feels beautiful, too! East Asian medicine can also stop persistent bleeding postpartum, help stabilize emotions, stop night sweats and reduce perineal pain and scar pain.

From dietary suggestions to herbal supplements and acupuncture, we can make many recommendations to help encourage a healthy milk supply. If you are working with low supply, latch issues, or pain while nursing, we also encourage working with a lactation consultant and would love to share some referrals.

For some, labour and birth are akin to running a marathon or even an ultra-marathon. Many folks experience muscle soreness and fatigue following the birth itself. An acupuncture session with a bit of bodywork can help. As the aches and pains from labour diminish, many new parents experience tightness in the neck and shoulders from nursing their baby. This is effectively addressed by acupuncture and various bodywork forms, including cupping and gua sha.

Stress reduction is my favourite acupuncture superpower. Just two tiny ear needles can calm the sympathetic nervous system and get you into a more relaxed state. In early parenthood, we tend to spend more time in ‘fight or flight’ mode. The heightened awareness that comes with parenting and the interrupted sleep schedule combine to produce a constant ‘tired but wired’ state. It can be hard to turn off and relax. Acupuncture can address physical complaints and get you a solid nap so you can go home and be your best self.

People often wonder when they should begin or resume their treatments postpartum. Ideally, we love to see new mamas between 2-4 weeks postpartum for exceptional care and nourishment following the birth. It is not uncommon to have health issues related to postpartum develop one or two years following your delivery. Seeing a holistic health practitioner shortly after your birth can help prevent these things from happening. However, if you find yourself six months or a year postpartum and not feeling your best, we would love to help.