Year: 2026 | Month: September | Volume: 16 | Issue: 9 | Pages: 275-284
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20260929
Effectiveness of Physical Therapy in Managing Postpartum Musculoskeletal Pain and Urinary Incontinence: A Quasi-Experimental Study
Arya K.A.1, R. Rejeesh Kumar2, K.S. Sharad3
1Assistant Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, KVM College of Allied Health Sciences, Cherthala, Kerala, India.
2Professor and Head, Department of Physiotherapy, KVM College of Allied Health Sciences, Cherthala, Kerala, India.
3Principal, BCF College of Physiotherapy, Vaikom, Kerala, India.
Corresponding Author: Prof. K.S. Sharad
ABSTRACT
Background: The postpartum period is associated with major biomechanical, hormonal, and musculoskeletal adaptations that may predispose women to lumbopelvic pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, urinary symptoms, and reduced quality of life. Although physiotherapy interventions are recognized as conservative approaches for postpartum rehabilitation, their routine integration into postnatal care remains inadequate.
Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions in reducing lumbopelvic pain and pelvic floor symptom bother, including urinary symptoms, while improving quality of life among postpartum women.
Methods: A quasi-experimental study design was adopted among 22 postpartum women recruited from the Department of Physiotherapy, Sree Narayana Medical Mission Hospital, Cherthala, and Indo American Hospital, Vaikom. Participants underwent a structured six-week physiotherapy intervention program consisting of pelvic floor muscle training, diaphragmatic breathing, core stabilization, pelvic tilts, walking exercises, bridging, clamshells, hip strengthening exercises, and postural correction techniques. using Outcome measures included the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) for pain assessment, the Pelvic Floor Bother Questionnaire (PFBQ) for assessment of pelvic floor symptom bother, including urinary symptoms, and the Maternal Postpartum Quality of Life Instrument (MPQOL-I) for assessment of maternal postpartum quality of life. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and paired t-tests were applied according to data normality.
Results: Statistically significant changes were observed in all outcome variables following the physiotherapy intervention. NPRS scores reduced from 7.59 ± 0.73 to 2.14 ± 1.04 (Z = 4.14, p < 0.001). PFBQ scores reduced from 23.55 ± 3.11 to 10.45 ± 2.52 (t = 25.3, p < 0.001), indicating a reduction in pelvic floor symptom bother. MPQOL-I scores increased from 55.36 ± 5.14 to 80.64 ± 7.47 (Z = 4.11, p < 0.001), indicating improved maternal postpartum quality of life.
Conclusion: The structured physiotherapy intervention was associated with significant reductions in lumbopelvic pain and pelvic floor symptom bother, along with improved maternal postpartum quality of life. The findings suggest that structured physiotherapy may be a beneficial component of postpartum rehabilitation.
Key words: Postpartum physiotherapy, lumbopelvic pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, urinary symptoms, pelvic floor muscle training, postpartum rehabilitation, quality of life.