Postpartum Recovery with Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine

Restoring Strength & Well-Being After Birth

After nearly 20 years of clinical practice, I have seen firsthand how postpartum recovery is often underestimated. While new mothers are expected to bounce back quickly, the reality is that physical healing, hormonal balance, and emotional well-being take time. Many of my patients come to me feeling exhausted, depleted, or emotionally overwhelmed—sometimes weeks, months, or even years after giving birth.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), postpartum care is deeply valued, with the "Golden Month" (Zuo Yue Zi) focused on rest, nourishment, and recovery. This approach aligns with modern research, which shows that postpartum hormonal shifts, nutrient depletion, and lack of restorative sleep can contribute to postnatal fatigue, anxiety, and prolonged recovery.

How Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine Can Help

Through years of working with postpartum mothers, I’ve found that acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine offer natural, effective support for:

✔ Hormonal regulation – Research suggests that acupuncture can help regulate postpartum hormones, reducing mood swings, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.
✔ Postnatal fatigue & depletion – Herbal medicine formulas, used for centuries and steeped in tradition, support energy, digestion, and circulation, helping new mothers rebuild strength.
✔ Breastfeeding support – Certain herbal formulas, along with acupuncture, can improve milk supply, ease mastitis symptoms, and reduce stress-related letdown issues.
✔ C-section & perineal healing – Acupuncture has been shown to promote circulation, reduce inflammation, and speed up tissue repair.
✔ Postpartum mental health – Studies indicate that acupuncture can help with postnatal depression and anxiety by modulating stress hormones and enhancing relaxation.
✔ Digestive & immune health – Many new mothers experience weakened digestion and immune function postpartum; Chinese medicine strengthens both.

Supporting You Through Every Stage

Every postpartum journey is different, which is why I tailor every acupuncture session and/or herbal formula to your unique needs. Whether you are struggling with low energy, sleep issues, breastfeeding difficulties, or the emotional and physical demands of new motherhood, my treatments provide targeted, evidence-based support to help you feel stronger, calmer, and more resilient.

Here are some research studies supporting acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for postpartum recovery:
  1. Li, S., Zhong, W., Peng, W., & Jiang, G. (2018). Effectiveness of acupuncture in postpartum depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Acupuncture in Medicine, 36(5), 295–301.
  2. Chao, M.T., et al. (2010). The association between traditional Chinese dietary and herbal practices and uterine involution in postpartum women. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 16(11), 1171–1176.
  3. Zhang, Y., et al. (2023). Practitioners' perspectives on acupuncture treatment for postpartum depression: A qualitative study. PLOS ONE, 18(3), e0282661.
  4. Zhang, Y., et al. (2023). Acupuncture combined with pelvic floor rehabilitation training for postpartum stress urinary incontinence: A randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Medicine, 10, 1296751.
  5. Kim, T.H., et al. (2022). Herbal medicine for postpartum pain: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13, 10606538.