Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Therapy for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt | [b] Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt | [c] Physiotherapy Department, College of Medical and Health Sciences, Ahlia University, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain | [d] Department of Physiotherapy, Kaser El Aini Hospitals, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Dalia M. Kamel, Department of Physical Therapy for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. Tel.: +973 36663084; Fax: +973 17 290083; E-mail:dr_daliakamel@yahoo.com
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is a common complaint in the
postnatal period. Physiotherapy has many techniques to apply for such
cases. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of central postero-anterior
(PA) lumbar mobilization on muscle activity in postpartum LBP. METHODS: Forty-five females with chronic LBP at least three months
postnatal. Participants divided randomly and equally into three groups.
Group A (Study group) received PA lumbar mobilization plus traditional
treatment which consisted of Ultrasonic and Infra-red. Group B (Placebo
group) received placebo mobilization plus traditional treatment. Group C
(Control group) received traditional treatment only. All patients received 3
sessions/week for 4 weeks. Pain intensity, functional disabilities and
Surface EMG for recording para spinal muscle activity were measured before
and after intervention. Statistical analysis was done by ANOVA and paired
t-test. RESULTS: Central PA mobilization showed a significant reduction
(P< 0.05) in the average surface EMG activity of the erector spinae
musculature compared with the other groups as well as improvement in
functional ability and reduction in pain intensity. CONCLUSION: A central PA mobilization significantly reduced pain
intensity and surface EMG activity of erector spinae musculature as well as
improvement in functional ability in mechanical low back pain in postnatal
females.
Keywords: Mechanical low back pain, mobilization, postpartum, electromyography
