Pilates Exercises on Nonspecific Low Back Pain in Postnatal Women

Low back pain (LBP) is of high prevalence among adults, which can be related to factors such as sedentary lifestyle, being overweight or work conditions.

Non-specific LBP (NSLBP) is defined as pain in the lower back region that cannot be attributed to a recognizable, specific pathology such as infection, fracture, or nerve root compression.

Pilates exercises focus on improving core stability, flexibility, posture, and body awareness through controlled, precise movements. The integration of breathing techniques and concentration enhances the mind-body connection, which can contribute to pain reduction and functional improvement. For individuals with LBP, Pilates has been shown to improve strength and flexibility, reduce pain intensity, and enhance overall physical function, making it a promising intervention for managing musculoskeletal disorders.

Inclusion criteria

• Age ranges from 20 and 30 years old.
• Body mass index (BMI) doesn't exceed 30 kg/m2.
• Patients who are referred from a gynecologist with a diagnosis of nonspecific low back pain.
• Patients who have pain for more than three months.
• Patients who have parity ranging from one to three (to control the extreme physiological changes from multiple childbirths, ensuring a more uniform sample).
• Patients who have score more than 4 on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

Exclusion criteria

• Mechanical low back pain (LBP).
• Women who had performed any spinal surgery e.g. unilateral hemilaminectomy or microdiscectomy.
• Women with history of vertebral fracture or trauma.
• Women with systemic disorder e.g. diabetes mellitus.
• Women who are pregnant.
• Women who had received physiotherapy treatment for their LBP one month before the start of this study.