The Effect of a Single Acupuncture on Postpartum Hypogalactia

Abstract

Breastfeeding provides health benefits for both the infant and mother. However, many mothers stop breastfeeding due to postpartum hypogalactia. Few studies have used ultrasound to quantitatively evaluate the effects of acupuncture on improving postpartum milk deficiency. The purpose of this exploratory study was to use ultrasound to assess the changes in breast blood flow and hardness after a single acupuncture session and evaluate the effects on milk output in women with postpartum hypogalactia. Eleven women with postpartum hypogalactia participated in this study. After a single acupuncture, the end-diastolic velocity significantly increased compared to that before acupuncture. The breast resistance index and hardness significantly decreased after acupuncture. Peak contraction speed after acupuncture was higher than that before acupuncture, but the difference was not significant. Moreover, breastmilk production after a single acupuncture treatment was significantly higher than it was before treatment. These preliminary findings suggest that acupuncture alone may improve breast blood flow parameters (end-diastolic velocity and resistance index) and potentially indicate that increasing breast blood supply helps increase milk secretion.