Q I can't tell whether I have postpartum depression or sanhupung. My whole body aches and I'm extremely tired, and my mind is also very heavy.
A Postpartum depression and sanhupung (postpartum joint pain and body aches) often appear together. Because severe physical pain also wears down the mind, it is effective to view and treat the two together.
Detailed Answer
In Korea, the symptoms of aching all over the body, painful joints, and feeling chilled even by a passing breeze after childbirth are commonly called sanhupung (postpartum wind disorder). These physical symptoms and postpartum depression can be independent of each other, but when severe physical pain disturbs sleep and limits daily activity, it can also deepen depression. Conversely, severe depression and anxiety can make pain perception more sensitive and worsen physical symptoms. Therefore, it is necessary to view and treat body and mind together.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
Dongjedang has a strength in addressing postpartum depression and postpartum bodily deficiency-fatigue together. We view it as physical pain (sanhupung) and emotional depression (Heart-spirit anxiety) appearing simultaneously on a foundation of greatly depleted qi and blood, and we manage the common cause of both symptoms through nourishing blood (bohyeol) while combining spirit-calming and wind-dispelling (geopung) treatment.
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