Integrative Use of Pelvic Floor Muscle Training and Traditional Chinese Medicine Rehabilitation for Postpartum Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China

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Abstract

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD) is highly prevalent in postpartum women, with 40%-91% of primiparas having symptoms within one year post-delivery. It is associated with urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapses, and psychosocial issues such as anxiety and depression, leading to considerable health and quality-of-life burdens. Pelvic floor muscle training is widely regarded as the first-line conservative intervention, as it strengthens pelvic support structures and improves continence. Nevertheless, its effectiveness is often constrained by poor adherence, limited supervision, and difficulty in sustaining long-term training intensity. Rehabilitation approaches within the framework of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), such as acupuncture, tuina, and Baduanjin exercise, have been reported to improve local blood perfusion, regulate neuromuscular pathways, and relieve pelvic discomfort, although high-quality evidence and standardized protocols remain insufficient. Emerging studies indicate that combining pelvic floor muscle training with TCM rehabilitation achieves greater reductions in urine leakage, better continence-related quality-of-life scores, and shorter recovery time compared with either approach alone. This review aims to evaluate the combined effects and synergistic mechanisms of pelvic floor muscle training and TCM rehabilitation in postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction, thereby informing future clinical strategies.