Restoring Balance: Helping a New Mom Overcome Postpartum Urinary Incontinence

Urinary difficulties after childbirth can manifest in various ways, from trouble urinating and urine retention to frequent urination and incontinence. These issues often arise due to bladder strain and injury during labor. Addressing the underlying deficiency can effectively treat these urinary problems. Importantly, the conditions discussed here are urinary problems without fever or pain, indicating no urinary infection.

My Experience Helping a New Mom

As a TCM physician, one of the most rewarding aspects of my job is witnessing the transformative power of holistic treatment in my patients' lives. Recently, I had the opportunity to help a 38-year-old woman struggling with slight urinary incontinence since the birth of her child nine months earlier. Her journey and recovery highlight the effectiveness of combining acupuncture with herbal treatments.

The Initial Consultation

When she first came to me, she described her condition in detail. Her labor had been long and difficult, necessitating the use of forceps. This intervention caused her perineal muscles to tear, and she subsequently developed an infection. Since then, she has experienced frequent urination and occasional incontinence. Additionally, she suffered from palpitations, backache, chilliness, and dizziness.

Upon examination, her tongue appeared pale, and her pulse was generally weak. Based on these symptoms, I diagnosed her with urinary incontinence due to Spleen- and Kidney-Qi deficiency. Although both were deficient, her kidney pulse was not significantly weaker than her spleen pulse, indicating a predominant Spleen-Qi deficiency.

 

Treatment Plan

Acupuncture / Acupressure

The primary goal of the treatment was to tonify the Spleen and raise Qi. I selected specific acupuncture points to achieve this:

• Ren-6: Direct moxa cones were used to tonify and raise Qi.
• ST-36 (Zusanli) and SP-6 (Sanyinjiao): Warm needle technique was applied to tonify and warm Spleen-Qi.
• Du-20: This point was crucial for raising Qi.
• BL-20 (Pishu) and BL-21 (Weishu): Both points were used to tonify Spleen-Qi.

 

Herbal Treatment

In addition to acupuncture, I prescribed a modified version of the herbal formula Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Tonifying the Center and Benefiting Qi Decoction):

• Huang Qi (Radix Astragali): 9g
• Ren Shen (Radix Ginseng): 6g
• Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis macrocephalae): 6g
• Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae sinensis): 6g
• Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri reticulatae): 3g
• Sheng Ma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae): 3g
• Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri): 3g
• Dong Kui Zi (Fructus Malvae): 6g
• Jie Geng (Radix Platycodi): 3g
• Du Zhong (Cortex Eucommiae): 4g

This combination was designed to tonify and raise Qi, regulate the water passages of the bladder, and strengthen Kidney-Yang.

 

The Healing Journey

The treatment required commitment and consistency. Over three months, she adhered to the acupuncture sessions and took the herbal concoctions as prescribed. Gradually, she began to notice improvements. Her urinary incontinence decreased significantly, and her frequency of urination normalized. The accompanying symptoms, like palpitations, backache, chilliness, and dizziness, also lessened.

Her urinary incontinence had improved by approximately 80% by the end of the three months. She regained confidence and comfort in her daily activities, a transformation that profoundly impacted her quality of life.

 

Reflection

This experience reaffirmed my belief in the power of holistic treatments and the importance of personalized care. Each patient's journey is unique, and understanding their specific needs is crucial to crafting an effective treatment plan. Helping this new mom reclaim her body and confidence was incredibly fulfilling and reminded me why I chose this profession.

As a holistic health practitioner, witnessing such positive outcomes drives my passion for this ancient practice. It's not just about alleviating symptoms but restoring balance and harmony within the body, enabling patients to lead healthier, happier lives.

 

Schedule Today!

If you or someone you know is struggling with postpartum urinary incontinence or other health issues, consider exploring acupuncture and herbal medicine as potential treatments. I invite you to schedule a consultation to discuss how we can work together to restore balance and improve your quality of life. Let's embark on a journey of healing and wellness together.