My Body Changed After Childbirth | Songdo Postpartum Syndrome

“My body has changed since then” — Sanhupung: Its Misconceptions and Truth

Hello, this is Baekrokdam Korean Medicine Clinic.

1. Persistent Unusual Symptoms After Childbirth

Among women in their late 30s to early 40s who visit our clinic, we frequently hear reports of discomfort and ill-health long after their childbirth experience.

• “My joints feel cold and ache, and my bones feel sore.”
• “Fatigue doesn't recover easily, my chest feels heavy, and my energy doesn't circulate.”
• “I've felt depressed ever since childbirth, and it seems like the lingering effects are still with me.”

These various physical symptoms and emotional problems, persisting not just immediately after childbirth but even years later, are typical manifestations of 'Sanhupung' in Traditional Korean Medicine.

2. Sanhupung is Not a Simple 'Wind Disease'

Classic Korean medicine texts like 『Dongui Bogam』 and 『Gyeongak Jeonseo』 describe Sanhupung as a pathological state where 'Heoro' (debilitation/consumptive disease) and 'Pungseup' (invasion of Wind-Dampness) combine after childbirth.

However, the Sanhupung encountered in clinical practice today is far more complex than this.

Sanhupung is not merely a temporary symptom immediately after childbirth, but rather a complex pathological state where unrecovered qi and blood deficiency, emotional suppression, and autonomic nervous system dysfunction become chronic over a long period following childbirth.

In reality, it's more accurate to view Sanhupung not as a simple 'Wind Disease,' but as a chronic syndrome resulting from a confluence of failed energy transformation during pregnancy and postpartum, disrupted emotional communication, and subsequent repeated states of exhaustion.

3. Simultaneous Collapse of Body and Mind

The physiological event of childbirth simultaneously involves rapid hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, bleeding, intense physical exertion and energy depletion, and nervous system disruption.

In contrast, recovery is often unsystematic, and external support can be limited.

When recovery fails under these circumstances, the circulation of 'Qi' and 'Blood' becomes obstructed. This, especially when accompanied by 'Ganqi Ulgyeol' (Liver Qi stagnation) and 'Simbi Giheo' (deficiency of Heart and Spleen Qi), can lead to chronic symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, numbness/coldness, joint pain, fatigue, alternating chills and heat sensations, mood swings, lethargy, and general body aches (Tongtong).

Sanhupung should be understood as the result of a combination of physical exhaustion and emotional suppression. The 'failure of postpartum care' is a primary cause leading to this structural collapse.

4. Key Symptoms Observed in Clinical Practice

• Coldness, numbness, and cold pain in joints and muscles: Interpreted as a 'Hansup' (Cold-Dampness) pathology, frequently occurring in the limb joints.
• Insomnia and autonomic nervous system symptoms: Nocturnal palpitations, night sweats, cold hands and feet, and respiratory discomfort are associated with 'Simgiheo' (Heart Qi deficiency) and 'Simgan Bulggyo' (imbalance between Heart and Liver).
• Digestive dysfunction: Loss of appetite, abdominal distension (bokchang), and bloating often accompany 'Biwiheoyak' (Spleen and Stomach weakness) and 'Giche' (Qi stagnation).
• Depression and mood swings: Often appear as an extension of 'Ganqi Ulgyeol' (Liver Qi stagnation) and 'Hwabyung' (anger syndrome) patterns.
• Chronic fatigue and pain sensitivity: Sometimes overlaps with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, in which case it is accompanied by 'Singiheo' (Kidney Qi deficiency) and 'Gihyeol Yangheo' (deficiency of both Qi and Blood).

5. Not Just Tonics, But Focused on Structural Restoration

Treating Sanhupung is not just a matter of simply replenishing vital energy. The core is the restoration of the disrupted regulatory systems.

1. Restoration of Qi and Blood circulation: Administering 'Onbo' (warming and tonifying) herbal medicine to recover from qi and blood depletion. If accompanied by 'Giche' (Qi stagnation) or 'Eohyeol' (blood stasis), 'Sunhaeng' (circulating) herbs (such as those for moving qi and invigorating blood) are used concurrently.
2. Resolution of emotional blockages: Concurrent use of 'Cheonggan Haeul' (Liver-clearing and stagnation-resolving) herbs and acupuncture to resolve 'Ganqi Ulgyeol' (Liver Qi stagnation). If Hwabyung symptoms overlap, emotional expression training and 'Simgi Anjeong' (Heart-mind stabilizing) therapy are included.
3. Breathing and body temperature regulation for autonomic nervous system recovery: Incorporating meditation, abdominal breathing, circadian rhythm resetting, and warm hand and foot therapies to lower bodily reactivity and promote recovery.
4. Guidance on lifestyle restructuring: To prevent recurrence even after recovery, a redesign of lifestyle patterns is necessary, including sharing household chores, developing emotional management routines, and establishing regular sleep and meal rhythms.

6. Current Symptoms Are Traces of My Neglected Self From That Time

Sanhupung is no longer a condition that lasts only a few days immediately after childbirth. It is a post-syndrome created by a body and mind that failed to properly recover postpartum.

Traditional Korean Medicine offers treatment that goes beyond simply replenishing vital energy; it aims to restore the connection between your body and emotions that were harmed 'back then.'

It's not too late, even now. You can recover those times you couldn't properly care for yourself through current treatments.

#Sanhupung