Objective To investigate the effect of red light irradiation in knee-chest position combined with anal sphincter muscle strengthening exercises on women developing acute postpartum hemorrhoids. Methods A total of 68 women developing acute postpartum hemorrhoids immediately following vaginal delivery were recruited and divided into 2 groups based on chronological order of admission time. All the women were given the postpartum knowledge education, maternal and infant care guidance and other routine nursing measures. In addition, the control group (n=36) received red light irradiation in lateral position, while the intervention group received red light irradiation in knee chest position and took anal sphincter muscle strengthening exercises.Pain score of hemorrhoids, the degree of perianal swelling, the effect of treatment and comfort level of treatment process were observed in the two groups at 24 h and 5 d after vaginal delivery. Results After five days of treatment, there were significant differences in pain score, degree of perianal swelling and treatment effect between the two groups （P＜0.01 for all）, while the comfort level of treatment process had no significant difference between the two groups （P＞0.05）. Conclusion Red light irradiation in knee-chest position combined with anal sphincter muscle strengthening exercises for women developing acute postpartum hemorrhoids can effectively reduce maternal pain, reduce the degree of perianal swelling, and improve treatment effect.