International Journal of Yoga, Physiotherapy and Physical Education

Authors
Dr. Aishwarya Raste, DR. Gauri Kulkarni, DR. Sucheta Golhar

Abstract
Objective: To compare the effectiveness of Conventional Physiotherapy exercises and Pilates on low back pain in the postnatal women. Background and Need of Study: Certain studies based on Conventional Method of Physiotherapy for treatment of low back pain in the postnatal period have been carried out. Very few studies have been carried out on the effectiveness of Pilates on low back pain in the postnatal period. Hence it is necessary to study the effect of Pilates on low back pain in postnatal period; and to compare its effect with the Conventional Physiotherapy Treatment. Subjects and Methods: Total 24 samples fulfilling the inclusion criteria were selected for the study. Women with low back pain persisting after pregnancy with no pathological condition, degenerative changes of spine, congenital abnormalities of spine, nerve root compression. The selected samples were divided into 2 groups of 12 samples each. Group 1 received Conventional Physiotherapy Exercises and Group 2 received Pilates exercises. Result: The mean value of NRS pre-treatment was 5.583 ± 0.7930 and post treatment was 3.417 ± 0.9960 and the p value was <0.0001 with a t value 8.900 which is very significant. Mean value of ODI pre-treatment was 34.667±3.229 and post treatment was 18.500 ±3.317. Therefore p value is <0.05 and t value is 10.951 which is very significant. The mean value of NRS pre-treatment was 5.750±0.6216 and post treatment was 2.417±0.6686. Therefore p value was<0.0001 and t value was 14.832 which is very significant. The mean value of ODI pre-treatment was 33.925 ±3.955 and post treatment was 11.333± 2.146, the p value was <0.001 and t value was 62.719 which is very significant. The comparison between pre-treatment and post treatment values of each component of ODI revealed that the pain relief observed after Pilates exercises was more than the pain relief after Conventional exercise Therapy. Also Pilates exercises is more effective than conventional exercises to improve patients social life, sitting, standing and travelling than before. The acquired results showed that Pilates exercises were superior to conventional exercises in reducing low back pain in the postnatal women. It is postulated that inhibition of deep Proprioception, because of pain or habit, may lead people to development of compensatory movement patterns, which prolongs the healing process because of ineffective biomechanics after injury. Pilates involves closed kinetic-chain exercises, which may provide the necessary compressive and decompressive forces to foster nutrition to joints and cartilage to reduce degenerative risk. Conclusion: Pilates technique was more effective than Conventional Physiotherapy exercises.