Qiuna Mengqu (Postpartum Abdominal Pain)
Overview
In Miao medicine, postpartum abdominal pain is called Qiuna Mengqu. It occurs when postpartum qi–blood deficiency or poor hygiene leads to intermittent lower abdominal pain.
In TCM, postpartum abdominal pain arises from qi–blood deficiency, blood stasis, or cold congealing in the uterine region, causing poor nourishment of the womb and lower abdominal pain (“er zhen tong” or “postpartum uterine pain”).
In Western medicine, postpartum pain often follows abnormal delivery, uterine contractions, infection, or uterine inversion, and is termed “contraction pain” or “postpartum pain.”
Huhoujipeng · Miao Disease Classification
Qiuna Mengqu is a minor disorder divided into two types:
Cold-meridian qi–blood deficiency abdominal pain
Heat-meridian blood stasis with cold abdominal pain
Aiduojiang · Causes
This condition is closely related to poor uterine involution, invasion of cold pathogens, constitutional weakness, poor hygiene, lack of exercise, and emotional imbalance.
Gengduomeng · Pathogenesis
Postpartum qi–blood deficiency fails to nourish the meridians and womb, causing pain. Cold invasion congeals blood into stasis, blocking meridians. Emotional depression leads to liver qi stagnation and blood stasis in the womb, obstructing the Chong and Ren vessels and causing pain.
Diagnostic Key Points
Diagnostic Basis
(1) Paroxysmal lower abdominal pain postpartum, possibly with abnormal lochia.
(2) History of childbirth, difficult labor, or postpartum bleeding.
(3) Exclusion of other internal, surgical, or gynecological conditions.
Related Exams
Gynecological exam, blood count, ultrasound, abdominal MRI, or X-ray to assist diagnosis.
Syndrome Differentiation & Treatment
Cold-Meridian Qi–Blood Deficiency Abdominal Pain
Manifestations: Weak woman with dull postpartum lower abdominal pain, relieved by pressure or massage; scant pale lochia without clots; pale complexion, dizziness, palpitations, tinnitus, loose stools.
Meridian: Cold meridian, cold disease.
Principle: Tonify qi and nourish blood (bu qi yang xue); disperse stasis and relieve pain (san yu zhi tong).
Prescription & Explanation:
Yangjia ga (Millettia vine, ji xue teng) 15g
Wulao qin (Angelica sinensis, dang gui) 15g
White Peony Root (bai shao) 10g
Beijia (Codonopsis, pao shen) 10g
Heshouweng (Polygonum multiflorum, he shou wu) 15g
Huangjing (Polygonatum, huang jing) 12g
Decoction orally.
Millettia vine, ji xue teng: warm, sweet–bitter; moves qi and blood, relieves pain.
Angelica sinensis, dang gui: warm, pungent–sweet; nourishes blood, invigorates circulation.
White Peony Root, bai shao: cold, bitter; nourishes blood, soothes liver, relieves pain.
Codonopsis, pao shen: slightly cold, sweet–bitter; tonifies qi and blood.
Polygonum multiflorum, he shou wu: warm, sweet–astringent; nourishes liver–kidney, nourishes essence.
Polygonatum, huang jing: warm, sweet; tonifies qi, nourishes yin.
Heat-Meridian Blood Stasis with Cold Abdominal Pain
Manifestations: Postpartum lower abdominal pain worse with cold, relieved by heat; scant dark lochia with clots; possible flank distension; pale complexion; cold limbs.
Meridian: Heat meridian, heat disease.
Principle: Invigorate blood and transform stasis (huo xue hua yu); disperse nodules and relieve pain (san jie zhi tong).
Prescription & Explanation:
Muxiang (Aucklandia, mu xiang) 10g
Dang gui (Angelica sinensis) 15g
Ji xue teng (Millettia vine) 20g
Yi mu cao (Leonurus, yi mu cao) 20g
Wu yao (Lindera, wu yao) 10g
Decoction orally.
Aucklandia, mu xiang: cold, bitter; moves qi, relieves pain.
Angelica sinensis, dang gui: warm; nourishes and moves blood.
Millettia vine, ji xue teng: warm; moves blood, relieves pain.
Leonurus, yi mu cao: cold; moves blood, regulates menses.
Lindera, wu yao: warm, pungent; warms the womb, moves qi, relieves pain.
Prevention & Care
Keep warm postpartum, maintain regular routine, avoid drafts, stay cheerful, avoid cold foods, eat nutritious and easily digested foods, and monitor uterine involution.
Notes
Miao medicine holds that the interplay of qi, blood, and fluids is crucial. Postpartum abdominal pain arises from poor uterine involution, cold invasion, constitutional weakness, poor hygiene, lack of exercise, or emotional factors. Treatment emphasizes dispersing stasis, relieving pain, and nourishing blood.
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