Postpartum Acupuncture in Melbourne: Supporting Recovery After Birth
Every birth and every postpartum experience is unique. Whether your labour followed your birth plan or took an unexpected turn, if you experienced a vaginal or by caesarean birth, recovery doesn’t stop once your baby arrives. The weeks and months that follow are a time of enormous physical, emotional and hormonal change as you recover from birth while caring for your new baby.
At MACHI Health, we’ve spent more than a decade supporting women through the fourth trimester with acupuncture, Shiatsu massage and Chinese herbal medicine. Our approach combines traditional, modern and evidence-informed care to support your recovery in a way that feels individual, gentle and sustainable.
If you’re looking for postpartum acupuncture in Melbourne’s Inner West, we’re here to support you through this important stage of recovery.
Postpartum recovery takes time
The postpartum period asks a great deal of your body. In a world that often encourages us to return to normal as quickly as possible, slowing down and allowing yourself time to recover can feel surprisingly difficult.
Every recovery is different. As your hormones shift, sleep becomes fragmented, and you’re learning the rhythms of life with a new baby, it’s completely normal for things to feel a little messy. If you have older children, work, relationships or a household to care for, the demands can feel even greater.
This season isn’t about doing more, it’s about giving yourself permission to do less where you can.
Gentle. Slow. Soft. Less.
These aren’t signs of doing less, they’re gentle reminders that healing takes time, and your recovery deserves care too.
What can postpartum acupuncture support?
At MACHI postpartum parents in Melbourne choose to seek support for experiences such as:
● Fatigue
● Stress, overwhelm or feeling emotionally depleted
● Recovery following vaginal birth, including after perineal tearing or episiotomy
● Body tension from feeding & rocking baby
● Pelvic pain or discomfort
● C-section recovery and scar care
● Sleep difficulties & night sweating
● General wellbeing during the fourth trimester
Our aim is to provide tailored and individual support as you navigate this tender time.
Postpartum acupuncture in Melbourne.
Get in touch if you want to learn more about how we might be able to support you during your first 12 months postpartum.
What happens during a postpartum acupuncture appointment?
Your initial postpartum appointment allows 75 minutes so we can take the time to understand your pregnancy, birth experience, postpartum recovery and overall health.
Every treatment is individualised and guided by your comfort. We adapt positioning to your body’s needs and work with you to create a treatment plan that feels right for you.
Our clinic features a large floor futon, making it easy to bring your baby along if you don’t have someone available to care for them or simply aren’t ready to spend time apart. We understand that every family’s circumstances are different and will do our best to make your appointment as relaxed as possible.
Depending on your needs, treatment may include acupuncture, Shiatsu massage, cupping, heat therapy, gua sha or Chinese herbal medicine. Throughout your appointment, we’ll explain each recommendation so you feel informed, involved and supported in your care.
When can I have acupuncture after giving birth?
There isn’t a “right” time to begin postpartum care. Every birth, recovery and family situation is different, so the best time to seek support is when it feels right for you.
In the early days after birth, rest, warm nourishing meals, hydration and accepting support where you can are all important foundations for recovery.
If you’re experiencing changes in your body and you would like to receive support with acupuncture, bodywork or Chinese herbal medicine, feel free to give us a call as we’re here to work with you and your individual needs.
Telehealth appointments are also available where appropriate.
What if I had a C-section?
Recovering from a caesarean birth while caring for a newborn brings its own unique challenges. During those early weeks, your body is healing from major abdominal surgery while also adapting to the physical and emotional demands of caring for your baby.
Where possible, we encourage prioritising rest, nourishing meals and accepting support during those first six weeks. If you’d like guidance during this time, telehealth appointments are available to discuss your recovery, nutrition, Chinese herbal medicine and personalised self-care strategies.
Once you are at least six weeks post-surgery and your scar has fully healed on the surface, you may wish to explore Scar Release Therapy. This gentle, hands-on treatment is designed to support comfort, mobility and reconnection following C-section and other abdominal surgeries.
Whether your baby is six weeks, six months or six years old, it’s never too late to explore support for your recovery.
→ Learn more about our Scar Release Therapy.
Why choose MACHI Health?
Postpartum care is an area of deep passion at MACHI Health. Over more than a decade in practice, Dr Jess Strachan (CM) has supported women through pregnancy, birth and the fourth trimester.
Following the birth of her own daughter, Jess experienced first-hand how little education and support is often available after a caesarean birth. That experience deepened her commitment to helping women feel informed, supported and cared for throughout their recovery.
Jess has also spent many years working alongside people living with chronic stress, trauma and complex health conditions. This has shaped MACHI Health’s gentle, person-centred approach, where treatment is always guided by consent, comfort and the understanding that every recovery journey is different.
To further support women recovering from abdominal surgery, Jess has completed additional training in Scar Release Therapy. This work complements her existing practice, offering another gentle treatment option to support comfort, mobility and reconnection following C-section birth.
Book a postpartum acupuncture appointment in Melbourne
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Whether you’ve recently welcomed your baby or you’re months into motherhood, we’d love to support you throughout your postpartum recovery with gentle, individualised care.
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