Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Physical Therapy for Gynecology and Obstetrics

Postpartum low back pain (LBP) is a common problem, which affects physical and social activities in women after delivery. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of positional release technique versus stabilizing exercise on LBP in postpartum women. Forty-five women, suffering from LBP during pregnancy and persisting after labor for more than 3 months, participated in this study; their age ranged from 20 to 35 years, and body mass index (BMI) was >25 kg/m2 and < 30 kg/m2. Patients were randomly distributed into 3 groups; group (A) received back care advices; group (B) received back care advices and stabilizing exercises 3 days/week for 12 weeks and group (C) received back care advices and positional release technique 3 days/week for 12 weeks. Pain intensity was measured by visual analogue scale (VAS); lumbar range of motion (ROM) was measured by inclinometer, and functional disability was measured by Oswestry disability index (ODI). Results: Revealed that Group B and C showed highly significant decrease (P=0.0001) in pain intensity and ODI score and highly significant increase (p=0.0001) in spinal flexion, extension, right and left bending ROM after treatment. However, group A showed significant decrease only in pain intensity. Compared to group A, group C showed highly significant decrease in pain intensity (P=0.0001), and highly significant increase (P=0.0001) in spinal flexion, extension, right and left side bending ROM. However group B, in comparison with group A, showed highly significant decrease in pain intensity (P=0.0001) and highly significant increase in right side bending (P=0.001) and left side bending P=0.002

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