After giving birth, about 80% of women undergo personality changes, anger sadness or other mood changes. This condition is known as postpartum depression and is a reason why most of these women feel they are not worthy to be considered a good mother. Post partum depression can lead to anxiety, worry, and guilt. Most of affected women are unaware that this condition is common and there are ways to help treat it. Acupuncture is a natural treatment for post-partum depression symptoms that are unique to each woman. A natural mode of treatment is of course, the best way of treating this condition since women need to breast feed their newborn; treating the condition with drugs can be very harmful and dangerous to both the mother and child. With acupuncture, the mother can better manage her emotional changes in a much safer and effective way.
Postpartum Emotional Support with Acupuncture
One of the best ways to treat emotional extremes caused by any reason is acupuncture. Post-partum depression is usually caused by lack of support, concerns of being a new mother or from hormonal changes. Regardless of its cause; acupuncture can prove helpful. This treatment can restore hormonal balance in the body that may have been disrupted or lost during pregnancy. Nutrition is another essential factor in the battle against post-partum conditions as it can also help establish hormonal balance, boost vitality and energy and stabilize the mood of the person. Nutritional therapy is often integrated into acupuncture treatment for post-partum depression.
Studies have indicated that that in a group of women suffering from post-partum depression about 70% of those given acupuncture treatment showed significant improvements in their symptoms compared to only 33% of the women who had received non-pharmaceutical therapy. The group that was given fake acupuncture treatment had even a higher rate of success (48%) compared to those given non-pharmaceutical therapy. These studies prove that acupuncture does work in treating post-partum depression; some of these studies even proved that acupuncture can help prevent the rise of post-partum depression.
The following is a list of post-partum conditions that acupuncture can address.
- Lactation support
- Mastitis
- Poor appetite
- Lochial Retention
- Stomach pain
- Headaches
- Perineal pain
- Low back pain
- Heart palpitations
- Tightening of the chest
- Frequent mood swings
- Dream-disturbed sleep/ insomnia
- Fatigue
- Stress
- Over-thinking/ pensiveness
- Anxiety
- Worry
- Irritability
- Anger
- Sadness
- Hormonal imbalances
Conclusion
Women suffering from post-partum depression should know that there is help for their condition. They first need to be aware that they are suffering from it and when they do, can then seek treatment for it. One of the best treatments for them and their baby is acupuncture since it is an effective and natural procedure that does not have adverse side effects. It can help prevent, treat and provide support for women suffering from postpartum depression.
Scott Paglia is a licensed and board certified acupuncturist in Bellingham, WA and provides master level pulse diagnosis, Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture in Whatcom County, WA.