Postpartum Abdominal Pain in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different postpartum abdominal pain patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Postpartum abdominal pain is a common condition experienced by women after childbirth. It encompasses various types of discomfort in the abdominal area, ranging from mild cramping to severe pain. This pain can be associated with the uterus contracting back to its pre-pregnancy size, the healing process after a cesarean section, or other post-delivery complications. Understanding and managing this pain is crucial for new mothers, as it affects their recovery and ability to care for their newborn.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perceives postpartum abdominal pain as a manifestation of internal disharmony or imbalance post-childbirth. Unlike Western medicine, which often focuses on the physical aspects of post-delivery recovery, TCM considers this pain as indicative of disrupted energy flow or Qi, and imbalances in the body's vital substances like Blood and Yin or Yang. TCM seeks to identify and treat these underlying patterns of disharmony, viewing postpartum recovery as a holistic process.
TCM Patterns for Postpartum Abdominal Pain
Each pattern represents a distinct underlying imbalance that can cause postpartum abdominal pain
Interior Cold
Diagnostic signs
Hidden (Fu), Weak (Ruo), Wiry (Xian)
Accompanying symptoms you may experience
Recommended herbal formulas
Diagnostic signs
Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Tight (Jin)
Accompanying symptoms you may experience
Recommended herbal formulas
Herbal Formulas for Postpartum Abdominal Pain
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address postpartum abdominal pain