Case report: Treating postpartum SUI with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine

Abstract Background Stress urinary incontinence (SUI), is the most common type of urinary incontinence affecting women. SUI has a significant impact on psychosocial functioning and quality of life. Biomedical treatments, such as surgery, often result in post-operative complications. In China, traditional Chinese medicine tends to be the treatment of choice for SUI. Case presentation We present a 35-year-old patient who developed SUI following forceps delivery and was treated successfully with acupuncture and Chinese herbs. Traditional Chinese diagnosis, including channel and acupoint palpation revealed the patient had a syndrome pattern of liver/kidney deficiency, disordered bladder qi transformation, all of which lead to enuresis. Acupuncture, both body and scalp needling, were performed. Herbs were prescribed adjunctively. Conclusion Traditional Chinese medicine modalities may be considered for treatment of SUI based on appropriate syndrome pattern assessment.