ALTERNATIVE

THERAPY
IN
PUERPERIUM
Presented by,
Jenee Patel
ACUPUNTURE
During
acupuncture, a
practitioner
inserts hair-thin
needles through
the skin at
points along the
meridians to
correct
imbalances and
restore health.
BENEFITS OF ACUPUNTURE
Post-partum Depression
Anxiety

Fatigue

Sweating

Breast Milk Not Flowing

Urinary Difficulty

Retention of Lochia/Persistant Discharge

Haemorrhoids

Bells Palsy
ALEXANDER TECHNIQUES
Learning the
technique can help
your body cope better
with the stress and
strain of carrying all
that extra weight. The
technique is also
thought to have a
calming effect and is
good preparation for
birth.
POSTPARTUM:

During the weeks after a baby is born, a mother may feel

strained and exhausted from lifting, holding and nursing
her baby.
having just given birth, switching from carrying the
baby in her abdomen to suddenly bearing the weight of
the baby with her arms and feeling sleep-deprived.
learn to use her whole body to support the weight of her
infant, as opposed to straining a particular part (like the
neck, shoulders or lower back).
may find that her belly is toning up as a result of using
her body efficiently in her everyday activities, as
opposed to specifically exercising the abdominal
muscles.
INFANT:
Mothers, fathers and caretakers bend over and
lift their infants countless times per day and hold
and carry them in baby carriers for extended
periods.
Mothers nursing infants often find themselves
slumping to move down toward the baby or
hiking their shoulders and straining to keep the
baby close to them.
Alexander Technique lessons transform holding
and carrying a child from an exhausting task into
a strengthening and enlivening experience.
AROMATHERAPY
A pilot study in 2012 concluded that there were positive
effects of using aromatherapy as an adjunctive treatment
for postpartum anxiety and depression. The essential oils
most commonly used for anxiety and depression are
lavender, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sandalwood, bergamot,
and rose.

Many essential oils are contraindicated during

pregnancy, but a qualified aroma therapist will know
which ones are safe to use. Single or combination blends
can help treat nausea, alleviate anxiety, reduce swelling,
ease headaches and encourage a good night's sleep.
THE TECHNIQUE OF USING
AROMATHERAPY
to help alleviate the symptoms of postpartum is
very simple.
By introducing essential oils to the mother, this
helps redirect the hormonal balance that is lost
in the process of childbirth.
The normal stresses of motherhood, such as
changing diapers, getting up with the child in the
middle of the night, feeding the child (this
especially includes breastfeeding) and all of the
other errands associated with taking care of the
baby is only intensified by the hormonal
imbalance produced by childbirth.
FLOWER REMEDY
Bach remedies can help
with basic emotional
problems, such as anger,
anxiety, fears, a lack of
self-confidence,
impatience, jealousy,
envy, paranoia, mild
depression or aggression.
They also can help with
eating disorders, panic
attacks, grief, stress,
fatigue or insomnia by
addressing the emotional
roots of the problem
 Bach remedies are particularly helpful with
psychosomatic conditions such as stomach ulcers,
tension headaches, OCD, irritable bowel
syndrome (IBS) and any other illness which may
be triggered or aggravated by negative emotions.
Bach remedies (in conjunction with
psychotherapy) can help one work through post
traumatic stress disorder from accidents,
military experiences, and other old traumas that
may be preventing one from moving forward in
life.
They are also helpful when chronic or even
terminal illness makes one feel anxious, fearful,
aggressive, resentful or depressive.
HERBS
Herbs can ease the
transition into
motherhood (both for
the mind and the body).
One of the toughest
aspects of being a new
mother (besides the lack
of sleep) is the rapid
hormonal changes the
body goes through as
soon as the baby is
delivered.
Let herbs do the heavy
lifting of this transition
while you rest and
indulge yourself as
much (and as often) as
possible.
 HORMONAL BALANCE

BODY RESHAPING

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT

NURSING SUPPORT

PAMPERING
HOMEOPATHY
Homeopathy is safe and gentle energetic medicine
used to support our bodies, minds and spirits from the
inside out.
Homeopathic remedies are available at local health
food stores including Whole Foods and local co-ops.
Over the counter dosages of the following remedies (at
10x to 30x) can be used to treat issues that may arise
after birth (follow directions on the bottle or given by
a care provider).
Here are ten homeopathic remedies that may help
women after birth, as they heal physically and adjust
to the intense transformation theyre undergoing.
Many of these are great for mood disturbances that
can come after birth.
 ARNICA
Arnica is commonly used for bruising and can aid
in healing the perineum and other tissues after
birth. It can also be used for after pains and
uterine cramping that can occur with nursing.

BELLIS PERENNIS
This homeopathic remedy can be used in the
postpartum to treat abdominal symptoms. It too
can be helpful for bruising and injury related to
birth, as well as after pains. It can also support
healing after a tear. It may help women who
have had a C-section.
 SEPIA
From this remedy may also feel indifferent to the
birth experience and have trouble bonding with the
baby. This remedy can also help with pelvic weakness
or uterine prolapsed.

PHYTOLACCA
This homeopathic remedy can be helpful for issues
arising with breastfeeding, including engorgement,
painful nipples and plugged ducts.

NATRUM MURIATICUM (NAT MUR)

This remedy can be helpful when a woman is
experiencing feelings of disappointment about the
birth experience or overall outcome. It can help when
one feels irritation at others attempts to console them
even though they are sad. Women needing this
remedy may also get headaches or heart palpitations
when depressed.
 PULSATILLA
This remedy can aid women who are feeling emotionally
sensitive and prone to tears in the postpartum. These
women may feel needy and insecure, wanting constant
affection, reassurance, and nurturing. Getting fresh air and
avoiding warm stuffy rooms can help. Finding a way to
express/release the emotions in some way also greatly
assists women experiencing this heightened sensitivity in
the postpartum.

PHOSPHORUS
This remedy is good for women who are experiencing
anxiety and fear that something bad will happen to
themselves, the baby, or others. This woman may have a
hard time being alone. Many women who experience these
fears and anxieties in the postpartum also experience
heightened sensitivity to stimuli and exhaustion.

CALMS FORTE
This is a wonderful and very gentle sleep aid, helpful for
women who are exhausted but having trouble sleeping and
adjusting to their drastically altered sleeping rhythms.
 CALCAREA CARBONICA
This remedy can help women overwhelmed in the
postpartum. For the women, weakness and fatigue may
lead to depression, anxiety, insomnia, and nightmares. A
person who needs this remedy often feels sluggish, cold,
and easily tired by exercise.

CIMICIFUGA
This remedy is for emotionally and hormonally based
depression. A woman needing this remedy may feel a dark
cloud has crept over her life and that nothing is right.
Anxious and low-spirited, she may begin to believe she is
incapable of caring for the baby. Alternatively, she may
become excitable and talkative, saying and doing irrational
things.
If you are dealing with challenging emotional or physical
symptoms after birth, please reach out and connect with
your care providers and your personal support team of
friends and family, who can all help you.
MASSAGE
To increase blood
circulation, relieve tension
in muscles and melt away
stress. Postnatal oil
massages will soothe her
aching body and ease the
process of recovery.
To increase production of
oxytocin that will result in
better breast milk flow.
Moreover, considering her
body just went through a
major transformation, oil
massage is the right step
forward towards regaining
her old health and glow.
 If she had a normal delivery, then she can start oil
massage as soon as she is back home. Most moms
start it within the first 5 days.
If she had a C-section, then she need to give the
wound some time to heal before you start the massage
generally after 1-2 weeks. Please confirm with her
doctor before starting the massage.
Ideally you need to continue the massage routine for
first 40 days to get maximum benefits. However,
many moms stop well before this due to time.
Top 5 Oils for Massages After Delivery:
Mustard oil
Sesame oil
Coconut oil
Almond oil
Herbal oil
POSTNATAL MASSAGE WILL HELP:

To ease sore spots and relax muscle tension.

Increase the flow of blood and oxygen to
muscles, getting rid of the toxins.
Massage encourages the body to release
endorphins - the natural pain killers and feel
good hormones secreted by the brain.
Improve well-being and immunity by
stimulating lymph flow.
Baby blues and postnatal depression. Some
experts say that a massage is an excellent stress
buster and mood elevator.
OSTEOPATHY
Once the babys born, osteopathy can
be very effective in helping mum
through the physiological recovery
and adaption to postural strains
adopted during care for the newborn
(breastfeeding posture for one!).
Postnatal treatment is recommended
to help the body return to the pre-
pregnant state, treat any residual
trauma from the birth and avoid
possible and unnecessary
complications in later pregnancies.
postnatal problems such as
headaches, coccyx pain and pelvic
pains generally respond very well to
osteopathic treatment.
REFLEXOLOGY
Reflexology is a natural,
non-invasive healing art
that uses pressure points on
the feet and hands to
balance out other parts of
the body. It aims to
alleviate tensions and
promote relaxation and can
be beneficial for puerperium
or indeed, couples trying for
a baby.
 Puerperium acupressure is a holistic and self-healing
way that can help in treating the postpartum issues
and promote speedy recovery of the mother.
Postpartum Issues that can be treated with
Acupressure and Acupuncture
Some of the most common post-pregnancy issues that
can be resolved with acupressure treatment are as
follows:
Postnatal Depression
Insufficient Lactation and Breastfeeding Problems
Mastitis
Back Pain
Hip Pain
Sciatica
Urinary Incontinence
Tiredness and Exhaustion
SHIATSU
Literally translated shiatsu means
'finger pressure' and focuses on the same
points and meridians that are used in
acupuncture.

Our work is about supporting both the

mother and baby. With baby massage or
shiatsu there is an emphasis on ensuring
that the person giving the massage
(mother or father) is relaxed.
 To help you recover after
childbirth.
Shiatsu can help the body
recover more
quickly and support the
bonding with your baby.
To help you deal with
issues breastfeeding
related issues, reduce
postpartum depression and
make it easier to adapt to
the new routine.
If you prefer you can bring
your child to the session.
And if for some reason you
can not come to our centre,
we can make the session at
your home.
BABY SHIATSU:
This session is a practical
class in which either
parent (or both) learn
specific baby Shiatsu
techniques, and how to
use them properly at
different stages of the
babys development.
The class lasts about 75
minutes, but the practical
massage time will be
between 20 and 40 minutes.
At all times we will adapt to
the needs of the baby (if
he/she needs to eat or sleep
or be changed), and we will
have a doll to complement
the explanations.