Tongdu Diaoshen Acupuncture Treatment for Postpartum Depression: A Case Report
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53469/wjimt.2026.09(04).05Keywords:
Postpartum depression, Tongdu Diaoshen acupuncture, Governor Vessel, Regulating spirit, Acupuncture therapyAbstract
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a severe mental disorder threatening maternal and infant health. Conventional treatments have side effects, while traditional Chinese medicine offers safe non-pharmacological options. This paper presents a 24-year-old postpartum patient with severe PPD and suicidal behavior, diagnosed as liver stagnation with spleen deficiency and brain spirit malnourishment. She received Tongdu Diaoshen Acupuncture combined with Western medicine interventions. Acupuncture focused on Governor Vessel, Conception Vessel, Liver Meridian acupoints to unblock Du meridian, regulate spirit, soothe liver and tonify qi and blood. After 7 sessions, her depression, anxiety, insomnia and suicidal ideation were markedly relieved, with stable emotion and normal sleep and diet at follow-up. Tongdu Diaoshen Acupuncture is safe, effective and breastfeeding-friendly for PPD, worthy of clinical application.
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