Benefits of Red Light Therapy Postpartum
The postpartum period is a profound journey of healing and transformation for new mothers, both physically and emotionally. As the body and mind transition from pregnancy and childbirth, adopting a holistic approach can be incredibly beneficial in supporting this natural process. Holistic postpartum care focuses on nurturing the entire person—body, mind, and spirit—ensuring a well-rounded recovery and enhancing the overall well-being of new mothers.
According to the National Institutes of Health, at least 1 out of 10 women suffer from negative postpartum symptoms. These can severely affect their quality of life as a new mother. It can also affect the lives of their partner and their children. One multipurpose tool that can be found extremely beneficial is red light therapy.
Checkout the ways below on how red light therapy can help postpartum recovery.
Hormonal Balance: Postpartum hormonal fluctuations can lead to mood swings and depression. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, red light therapy can help regulate hormone levels, potentially reducing the risk of postpartum depression.
Increase Milk Production: Maintaining a healthy milk supply is crucial for breastfeeding mothers. A study by Pereira et al. (2019) revealed that red light therapy increased prolactin levels, promoting improved lactation and milk production.
Energy and Mood Enhancement: The sleep deprivation experienced by new mothers can leave them feeling fatigued. A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that red light therapy improved energy levels and reduced fatigue in postpartum women.
Improve Skin Health: A mother’s body undergoes wild hormonal fluctuations before and after pregnancy. Red light therapy can help reduce acne, fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots, and discoloration.
Reduce Cortisol Levels: Postpartum blues and mood disorders are common challenges. A randomized controlled trial by Xiong et al. (2021) highlighted the mood-enhancing effects of red light therapy, providing emotional well-being for new mothers.
Reduce Nipple Pain from Breastfeeding: Before or after you nurse your baby, try red light therapy for a few minutes. Breastfeeding pain could come from a baby that is a very vigorous eater; impacted milk ducts; dry skin; or inflammation from an infection.
Improve Uterine and Vaginal Recovery: Research by Demirtas et al. (2020) demonstrated that red light therapy significantly reduces postpartum pain, providing relief from soreness, muscle aches, and joint discomfort.
Help Heal C-Section or Episiotomy: An episiotomy or pelvic floor laceration associated with a vaginal delivery can be very painful for weeks after giving birth. Red light therapy helps reduce pain and inflammation to speed up healing. Likewise, you can reduce pain, speed up healing, and treat and help minimize C-section scars.
Reduce Stretch Marks: Red light therapy can reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Stretch marks form when collagen and elastin proteins are ruptured during the rapid stretching of skin that occurs in pregnancy.
Improve Sleep: Lack of sleep is one of the biggest challenges that new parents face. Red light therapy can promote sleep because it doesn’t interfere with your circadian rhythm. To have more energy during the day in those early weeks of a baby’s life, take a red light therapy session before bed. When you are sleeping (when your baby lets you sleep) the quality of your sleep will be better.
One of the key ways that red light therapy could be effective on both psychological and physical conditions is its ability to stimulate the mitochondria. Mitochondrial dysfunction can occur because of inflammation, chronic stress, or even pregnancy. Therefore, supporting the body at the cellular level could be a way to accelerate the process of healing from childbirth. Red light therapy can complement traditional postpartum treatments, such as physical therapy or pelvic floor exercises, enhancing overall recovery outcomes. As scientific research continues to unveil the remarkable benefits of red light therapy, it emerges as an effective and safe postpartum recovery tool. From accelerated wound healing to hormonal balance and enhanced well-being, red light therapy offers new mothers a natural path to healing and rejuvenation.
