Why Postpartum Care matters?
Giving birth is a transformative experience, both physically and emotionally. However, postpartum recovery is often overlooked in modern healthcare. In Eastern medicine, postpartum care is considered crucial for long-term health, and many cultures have developed traditional healing practices to support new mothers during this period.
At Life Giving Acupuncture & Herb Clinic (생명주는한의원), we emphasize holistic postpartum care to ensure mothers recover fully, regain their strength, and prevent long-term health complications.

Understanding the Postpartum Body
During pregnancy, a woman's uterus expands up to 500 times its original size to accommodate the growing baby. After childbirth, the uterus begins contracting and typically returns to its pre-pregnancy size within four weeks.
For the first two to three weeks postpartum, lochia (Auro, 오로)—a mixture of blood, mucus, and uterine tissue—is discharged from the uterus. Initially, it appears as bright red blood, then gradually fades pale. However, if lochia continues for an extended period, it may indicate delayed uterine recovery, requiring medical attention.
🌿 The Role of Oxytocin in Uterine Contraction
Oxytocin, a hormone released during breastfeeding, causes the uterus to contract more strongly, sometimes leading to postpartum pain. Normally, this pain subsides as the uterus heals, but if a mother experiences severe pain, low energy levels, or blood stagnation, additional treatment is needed to:
✔️ Improve blood circulation
✔️ Eliminate stagnant blood
✔️ Replenish Qi and blood for recovery
In Eastern medicine, postpartum care focuses on blood nourishment and joint strengthening, as pregnancy and childbirth weaken the mother’s joints, regardless of whether she had a natural delivery or a C-section.
🩸 Managing Postpartum Swelling & Circulation
During the postpartum period, muscle fibers contract to stimulate milk production, and blood vessels adjust to reduce swelling (edema). Although mild edema naturally subsides, some women may experience prolonged swelling due to a weak constitution or poor circulation.
⚠️ If edema persists beyond the expected timeframe, it may lead to chronic swelling and postpartum obesity.
💡 Research has shown that early postpartum treatment can prevent long-term complications and improve overall recovery outcomes.

🌸 Postpartum Recovery in Traditional Eastern Medicine
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Korean Medicine (KM), the postpartum period is often called “Zuo Yue Zi” (坐月子) or “Sanhujori” (산후조리). This period, usually 4–6 weeks after childbirth, is seen as a time when a mother’s body is most vulnerable and in need of care.
🔹 Blood Deficiency & Qi (Energy) RestorationChildbirth results in significant blood loss, which can lead to Qi and Blood Deficiency (氣血虛). Eastern medicine prioritizes:
✔️ Nourishing the blood with herbal formulas
✔️ Restoring energy (Qi) through diet and acupuncture
✔️ Supporting organ function, especially the liver, spleen, and kidneys
🔹 Cold Exposure & “Cold-Wind” SyndromeIn Eastern medicine, the postpartum body is believed to be in a “cold” state, making mothers more susceptible to:
✔️ Joint pain and fatigue
✔️ Digestive disorders
✔️ Weakened immunity
💡 This is why warm foods, herbal teas, and avoiding cold environments are recommended to support recovery.
🌿 Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine for Postpartum Recovery
✨ Acupuncture for Postpartum Healing
Acupuncture helps new mothers by:
✔️ Boosting blood circulation to speed up recovery
✔️ Regulating hormones to prevent postpartum depression
✔️ Relieving pain from childbirth and C-section recovery
✔️ Improving milk production for breastfeeding mothers
📍 Common acupuncture points for postpartum care:
SP6 (Sanyinjiao): Strengthens spleen, liver, and kidney
ST36 (Zusanli): Boosts energy and immunity
CV6 (Qihai): Restores Qi and helps digestion

🌱 Herbal Medicine for Postpartum Health
Herbal medicine is essential in postpartum recovery, offering nutritional support and healing properties. Some key herbs include:
Dang Gui (당귀, Angelica Sinensis): Nourishes blood and regulates menstruation
Huang Qi (황기, Astragalus): Strengthens immunity and energy
Sheng Hua Tang (생화탕): A classic postpartum formula to clear blood stasis, promote healing, and reduce pain
Herbal medicine is carefully formulated to be safe for both mother and baby, ensuring high-quality breast milk production for the child.
Additionally, postpartum treatments can help prevent postpartum obesity and promote faster recovery from abdominal separation using herbal therapy and electro-acupuncture.
💡 These natural therapies help mothers recover faster and prevent long-term postpartum issues!


🌸 Postpartum Wind: Causes and Prevention
Postpartum recovery is not just about physical healing; it also plays a crucial role in long-term health and chronic disease prevention.
🔹 What is "Postpartum Wind (산후풍)"? Postpartum wind refers to stagnation of blood and blocked meridians after childbirth, which can cause:
⚠️ Joint pain and muscle aches
⚠️ Numbness and sensory abnormalities
⚠️ Fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness
⚠️ Indigestion and poor metabolism
⚠️ Postpartum depression
Women who experience rapid weight gain during pregnancy, IVF treatments, or C-sections are at higher risk for postpartum wind. If untreated, it can impact long-term health and mobility.
💡 A research study indicated that over 51% of postpartum women experience postpartum wind, underscoring the need for early and accurate treatment.
🍼 Nutrition & Lifestyle for Postpartum Recovery
🥣 The Importance of Warm, Nourishing Foods
Postpartum mothers need warm, easy-to-digest, nutrient-dense meals.
✅ Bone broth & soups – Strengthens blood and Qi
✅ Steamed or cooked vegetables – Aids digestion
✅ Ginger & Red Dates Tea – Warms the body and improves circulation
❌ Avoid cold, raw foods, as they slow digestion and recovery
🛌 Rest & Gentle Movement
✔️ At least 4 weeks of rest to allow internal healing
✔️ Gentle stretches & walking to prevent stagnation
✔️ Avoid overexertion to prevent long-term weakness

🌟 Final Thoughts: Supporting Mothers for Long-Term Health
Postpartum recovery is not just about the first few weeks—it impacts long-term health. Proper nutrition, rest, acupuncture, and herbal medicine can help mothers regain strength, balance hormones, and prevent chronic issues like fatigue, joint pain, and emotional imbalances.
✔️ Prevent chronic postpartum conditions
✔️ Strengthen joints and muscles
✔️ Support hormonal balance and mental health
💡 If you’re seeking natural postpartum recovery, Life Giving Acupuncture & Herb Clinic (생명주는한의원) offers specialized care to support your healing journey.
👉 Contact Us: https://www.lifegivingacupuncture.com/contact-1-1 or (Clinic) 949.364.4885
👉 Follow Us for More Wellness Tips: @lifegiving.clinic

📖 Research Papers & Books on Postpartum Care
📚 Scientific Studies on Postpartum Recovery & Herbal Medicine
“Effects of Acupuncture on Postpartum Pain and Recovery” – Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine
📌 This study highlights how acupuncture alleviates postpartum pain and improves uterine contractions.
“The Role of Herbal Formulas in Postpartum Uterine Recovery” – Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (eCAM)
📌 Research demonstrates that herbal formulas like Hwanghu-tang accelerate blood clearance and uterine recovery.
“Postpartum Depression and Traditional Medicine” – Frontiers in Psychology
📌 This paper explores how herbal treatments and acupuncture help regulate hormonal imbalances and emotional well-being after childbirth.
etc.
📖 Recommended Books
“The Fourth Trimester” – Kimberly Ann Johnson
“Healing Your Body Naturally After Childbirth” – Jolene Brighten
“Traditional Chinese Medicine and Postpartum Recovery” – Xiaolan Zhao
etc.

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