San Francisco Postnatal Acupuncture

The restoration of a new mother’s health is critical during the weeks following birth, for her own wellbeing and for her ability to be present for her newborn. 

The postnatal period, also known as the postpartum period, is the period beginning immediately after the birth of a child. During these visits, our goal is to balance hormones, establish milk supply, alleviate depression, shrink uterus, and bring balance back to the body. Postnatal acupuncture, herbal therapy and moxabustion can provide a vital support during this transition. 

Postnatal acupuncture can begin anytime after delivery, and is recommended once a week for 4 weeks, depending on your symptoms and general health.

Acupuncture during the postnatal period is beneficial for:

• Insufficient Lactation

• Lactifuge

• Mastitis

• Abdominal Cramping & Pain

• Post-Partum Depression

• Excessive or prolonged bleeding

• C-section post-operative healing

• Constipation

• Hemorrhoids

• Stop Bleeding

• Vaginal Discharge

• Swelling

• Hormone Balancing

• Restoring Normal Uterine Tone & Function

• Irregular Sweating

• Insomnia

• Fatigue / Low Energy

• Low Energy

• Poor Digestion

• Hair Loss

• Peripheral neuropathy

• Anxiety

• Urinary Difficulty

• Muscular Aches / Pains

Mother Roasting

A woman isn’t only recovering from childbirth itself during this time but also from having been pregnant for nine months. Traditional Chinese Medicine recognizes that the period needed for nourishment and the restoring of a woman’s energy can range from 30 – 100 days. This is dependent on an individual’s experience of pregnancy and childbirth and will vary for each individual.

Mother Warming is a treatment that is given to women ideally 4-5 days following birth. The treatment involves the gentle warming of the acupuncture points that run through the lower abdomen and lower back. The points are warmed using moxa. 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. Moxa has an influence on the energy of the body, circulating and stimulating blood flow in the uterus and pelvic area.