Influence Of Pilate Therapy And Conventional Therapy On Functional Disability In Post Natal Women With Back Pain

Abstract

Background: Post natal period is the first six to eight weeks after childbirth or until the body returns to its pre-pregnancy status. It is important for both short term and long term well being of women and her child. Pregnancy related low back pain is a common complaint that occurs in 20-90 percentages of women. Pain is characteristically present between the 12^th  rib and the gluteal folds during the course of pregnancy, possibly radiating to the postero lateral thigh, the knee, and the calf but not to the foot. It is due to a combination of mechanical, hormonal, circulatory, and psychosocial factors. After six weeks of delivery, women only partially resumed their pre pregnancy functional state. Much more time, rest, support from family members is required for enhancing functional and psychological status of women.

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 Oswestry Low Back Disability were noted during 2^nd, 4^th and 6^th weeks. Changes within the group was analyzed using Repeated Measures Annova Test and between the groups using Unpaired t-test.

Result: With Conventional therapy, the disability was reduced from 36.56 ± 1.49 on day 1 to 21.46 ± 1.81 in 6^th  week. Pilate therapy showed reduction of 36.55 ± 1.5on day 1 to 7.03 ± 1.80 in 6^th  week. At 2^nd  week , disability was reduced  to 36.65 ± 1.54 with conventional therapy and 29 ± 1.68 with  Pilate therapy. By the end of 4^th week, with conventional therapy it was further reduced to 29.06 ± 1.89 and 19.7 ± 1.29 with Pilates. After 6 weeks of interventions, functional disability was reduced to21.46 ± 1.81 with conventional exercises and 7.03 ± 1.80 with Pilates.