What causes numbness in fingers during the postpartum confinement period?
May 15, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Jun
Introduction
Numbness in the fingers during the postpartum confinement period may be caused by physiological factors, but it could also result from pathological conditions such as qi deficiency or insufficient qi and blood. During the confinement period, due to the need for rest and recovery, new mothers may lack physical activity, leading to poor blood circulation, which can affect blood supply and nerve function in the fingers. This condition does not require special treatment and can be improved with appropriate simple finger exercises.
The postpartum period refers to the puerperium. During the puerperium, numbness in the fingers may be caused by physiological factors or pathological factors such as qi deficiency and insufficient qi and blood. The specific analysis is as follows:
1. Physiological Factors
During the puerperium, due to the need for rest and recovery, the mother may lack physical activity, leading to poor blood circulation, which affects blood supply and nerve function in the fingers. This condition does not require special treatment. Appropriate simple finger movements and limb exercises can be performed to improve blood circulation and promote recovery of nerve function.
2. Pathological Factors
1) Qi Deficiency
Qi plays a role in promoting blood circulation. When there is qi deficiency, the circulation of qi and blood becomes impaired, easily leading to inadequate blood supply to the fingers and resulting in symptoms such as limb numbness and fatigue. Under medical guidance, patients may take spleen-strengthening and qi-tonifying medications such as Liu Jun Zi Wan (Six Gentlemen Pills) or Gui Pi Wan to regulate their condition.
2) Insufficient Qi and Blood
Qi and blood circulate throughout the body's internal organs, maintaining normal growth and physiological functions. If both qi and blood are deficient, the body's tissues may lose nourishment, leading to symptoms such as sallow complexion, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and lethargy. Patients may follow medical advice to take medications such as Ba Zhen Ke Li (Eight Treasures Granules) or Ren Shen Yang Rong Wan for regulation.
In addition to the above causes, finger numbness during the postpartum period could also result from deficiency of yang qi, stagnation of qi and blood stasis, or obstruction due to wind-cold. Patients should seek timely medical evaluation to identify the underlying cause and receive standardized treatment to prevent disease progression.
