The recovery period for elderly patients with fractures is relatively long. Due to insufficient kidney yang, weak lung qi, bladder dysfunction, and urinary obstruction, elderly patients often experience frequent urination, urgency, increased nocturia, and incomplete emptying of the bladder. In clinical practice, they have used two traditional Chinese medicine nursing methods, which are simple and easy to operate, and have achieved good therapeutic effects.
The first method is moxibustion on abdominal acupoints. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the kidneys control water and the opening and closing of the two yins, while the bladder is responsible for the transformation and excretion of qi and fluids. If elderly patients frequently feel the need to urinate, have increased nocturia, urinary leakage, or even urinary incontinence, it is often due to deficiency of lung, spleen, and kidney yang. Lung qi deficiency leads to qi not returning to its root, spleen deficiency causes sinking of middle qi, and kidney yang deficiency results in weakening of the mingmen fire and instability of the lower yuan. This leads to insufficient bladder function and incomplete urination. Especially in elderly bedridden patients during winter, frequent nocturia not only affects rest and sleep but also increases the risk of catching a cold. Using moxa sticks or moxa cones separated by ginger, salt, or aconite cakes to moxibustion on abdominal acupoints such as Shénquè (umbilicus), Guānyuán, and Qìhǎi can strengthen the kidneys, assist yang, and regulate the spleen and stomach. Guānyuán and Qìhǎi are also important acupoints for kidney protection. Through moxibustion or moxibustion with separated materials, the heat of moxibustion can reach the kidneys through the abdominal acupoints, warm the kidneys, assist yang, and stabilize the yuan.
The second method is to exercise the pelvic floor muscles using the "Shè Gǔ Dào" technique. Whether it is urgent urination that is difficult to control or stress urinary incontinence caused by coughing or laughing, it is related to the relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles and the weakened control of the urethral opening. Therefore, healthcare professionals can instruct elderly patients to practice the ancient technique of "Shè Gǔ Dào" to exercise the pelvic floor muscles. Shè Gǔ Dào is a health-preserving method proposed by the Tang Dynasty physician Sun Simiao. It is actually a technique of contracting the anal and urethral muscles. It is said that this was the favorite health-preserving exercise of Emperor Qianlong, known as the "Ten-Perfect Elderly Man". The movements of Shè Gǔ Dào are simple: inhale and gradually tighten the muscles from the anus to the urethral opening, hold the breath for a few seconds until it is uncomfortable, and then exhale and relax. Regular practice of Shè Gǔ Dào can prevent and treat frequent urination, urgency, and urinary incontinence. It can be practiced multiple times a day, whether while watching TV or sitting in a car.
In addition to degenerative changes causing frequent urination, many diseases can also cause frequent urination and urgency in elderly patients. For example, decreased resistance in the elderly, especially in elderly women, can lead to urinary tract infections and the symptoms of frequent urination and urgency due to a decrease in estrogen. In addition, diabetes, urinary tract stones, and benign prostatic hyperplasia in elderly men are also common causes of frequent urination in the elderly. In addition to adhering to traditional Chinese medicine external treatment methods, elderly patients should also actively treat the primary diseases that cause frequent urination.
