Influence of Pilate Therapy and Conventional Therapy in Post Natal Women with Back Pain

Background: Post-partum period is challenging for every woman. It usually starts from delivery and ends by 42 days. In majority of women, complications like hemorrhage, DVT, pulmonary embolism, edema in hand and ankle joints, puerperal infection, problems in breast feeding, kypho-scoliosis and backache arise. Postnatal low back pain and pelvic pain are common problems in the post-partum period; these could vary from mild problems to disability. The incidence of postnatal LBP is very high from 21% to 82% in the fisco year post-partum. Remission of pain occurred in 51% at 1 month and 78% at 6 months in CS group, while in the normal vaginal delivery group 55% at 1 month and 85% in the 6th month had remission of pain. Reoccurrence of pain is common in postnatal period. Physiotherapy has shown to have influence on various problems arising in post-natal period. Health literature listed out various conventional treatment approaches for back pain which includes exercises, yoga, core stability, walking, running, aquatic exercise and aerobics. Pilate therapy focuses on improving the body’s core and makes it more flexible and stronger. Pilates has been found to be effective in neuromuscular problems. Its effect in post natal women is a research area. Its effect over conventional therapy needs to be evaluated for better patient care. Method: 494 subjects were included according to criteria. Subjects were allotted into two groups. Group A: Pilates and Group B: Conventional. Interventions were given for 6 weeks and changes in Visual Analogue Scale, Modified Schober Test, Manual Muscle Testing, Oswestry Low Back Disability were noted. Result: For pre and post interventional analysis between the groups, student’s t-test was used. The results showed significant improvement with Pilates therapy than conventional training in reducing back pain, increasing abdominal muscle strength and improving quality of life. Conclusion: Pilates therapy reduced back pain than conventional therapy in post natal women.