Neck Pain, Shoulder Pain
Conditions
Brief summary
Breastfeeding, though essential for the nourishment and development of newborns, often imposes significant musculoskeletal strain on mothers, particularly in the neck and shoulder regions. Prolonged static postures, repetitive feeding routines, and improper ergonomic positions contribute to mechanical stress, leading to chronic discomfort or pain during the postpartum period Postnatal women frequently assume awkward positions while nursing, such as forward head posture, rounded shoulders, and spinal flexion, which contribute to musculoskeletal dysfunctions . The cumulative load on the musculoskeletal and fascial systems during breastfeeding leads to muscle imbalances, myofascial tightness, and trigger point development.
Detailed description
Current physiotherapy interventions emphasize posture education, ergonomic training, and targeted exercises to mitigate this pain. Posture correction exercises aim to improve alignment, decrease strain on muscles and joints, and enhance motor control in the upper quarter . Soft tissue moblization a manual therapy technique targeting fascial layers, has also shown promising results in improving mobility, reducing trigger point activity, and decreasing referred pain.
Interventions
COMBINATION_PRODUCTShoulder and Neck Strengthening + Postural Correction Exercises
Physiotherapy exercises of Shoulder and Neck Strengthening + Postural Correction Exercises for shoulder and neck pain
COMBINATION_PRODUCTShoulder and Neck Strengthening + soft tissue mobilization
Physiotherapy exercises of Shoulder and Neck Strengthening + soft tissue mobilization Exercises for shoulder and neck pain
Sponsors
Superior University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
20 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Postpartum period of up to 12 months
Exclusion criteria
* History of trauma or cervical disc pathology * Neurological disorders * Previous musculoskeletal surgeries
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) | 6 Month | The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) is an 11-point scale used to measure pain intensity, ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain imaginable). |
| Neck Disability Index (NDI) | 6 Months | The Neck Disability Index (NDI) is a questionnaire used to assess how neck pain affects a person's daily life and disability. It consists of 10 items, each scored on a 0-5 scale, resulting in a total score ranging from 0 to 50. A higher score indicates greater perceived disability due to neck pain |
| Breastfeeding self efficacy scale | 6 months | All items are preceded by the phrase ''I can always'' and rated on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (not at all confident) to 5 (always confident). Total scores range from 14 to 70, with higher scores reflecting more significant levels of breastfeeding self-efficacy |
Countries
Pakistan
Outcome results
None listed