Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Physical Therapy for Woman's Health

Bibliography: p. 88-112.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a common musculoskeletal
problem post nataly which is generally severe enough to interfere with
daily life, causing limitations in performance and productivity at work,
increased sick leave, high rates of functional disability, and increased
seeking of treatment for symptom relief.
Objective: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of
reducing abdominal obesity on LBP in post-natal women.
Patients and Methods: Forty obese post-natal women complained from
LBP, their age ranged from (25-35) years and body mass index (BMI)
didn’t exceed 40 kg/m² were participated in this study. They were
randomly distributed into two equal groups; group (A) received focused
ultrasound cavitation (FUSC) and low caloric diet in addition to
performing abdominal strengthening and posterior pelvic tilt exercises
and group (B) performed the same exercises as group (A) for one month.
Assessment of both groups (A&B) was done before and after 4weeks of
treatment by using visual analogue scale (VAS) to assess pain intensity,
algometer to assess the pain threshold at the most tender points at back,
Oswestry disability questionnaire for functional disability and obesity by
weight and waist circumference.
Results: showed that there was a significant decrease in mean values of
weight, waist circumference, pain threshold for most tender points in
lumbar region, pain intensity and functional disability post treatment in
group (A & B) except weight and waist circumference showed nonsignificant difference in group (B), but the results of group (A) were
superior to that of group (B) when comparing between groups post
treatment.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that combination of FUSC, diet and
exercise is considered as a safe and effective adjuvant to weight loss and
reducing of back pain for abdominal obese post-natal women

Issued also as CD

Text in English and abstract in Arabic & English.