Abstract:
Background: Postpartum back pain is common, with upto 75% of women
experiencing back pain immediately following birth due to ligament laxity and
postural changes. Besides the lack of pelvic floor muscles strength, urine leakage
problem during coughing and sneezing also arises in this condition. The purpose of
this study was to compare the effect of stabilization exercise (SE) and Kegel exercise.
Objective: To evaluate the pain intensity in rest and different functional activities
before and after introducing spinal stabilization exercises in postpartum women with
low back pain and also find out the effect of Kegel exercise. Methodology: A Quasi Experimental (one group) pretest-posttest design was used. 27 patients with
postpartum low back pain, attended at Gynecological and Women’s Health unit, CRP,
Mirpur were purposively chosen to conduct the study. Spinal stabilization exercise
was applied to the participants to find out the effectiveness of this exercise. Kegel
exercise was also introduced who have urine leakage problem among 27 patients. All
patients were receiving treatment for 2 days in a week and total for 6 weeks. Numeric
pain rating Scale was used to measure pain intensity indifferent functional activities
such as swiping, squatting, chair sitting heavy weight lifting, walking, journey by bus
or rickshaw and staring. Pain score was analyzed by calculating “Wilcoxon Signed
Ranked test”. Results: Results showed that relative improvement occurs in all
participants in the experimental group. Pain scores on numeric pain rating Scale on
different functional activities such as during toilet sitting, stair climbing, during
walking, during weight lifting, were relatively reduced that was also statistically
significant. Participants who have a urine leakage problem also recover from this
problem. Conclusion: Lumbar stabilization exercises has an effect on reducing pain
and improving functional activities, and to solve urine leakage problem Kegel exercise
alsoeffective.
Keywords: Spinal stabilization exercises, Low back pain, Postpartum low back pain,
Kegel exercise.
Description:
This dissertation is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy, Bangladesh Health Professions Institute, Faculty of Medicine, the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.