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Maggie Ju

Addressing Postpartum Back Pain and Pelvic Issues: A Holistic Approach



The human body undergoes a remarkable transformation during pregnancy and requires a gradual return to its pre-pregnancy state post-delivery. Postpartum back pain is a prevalent issue, with some women experiencing it both during and after pregnancy, hindering their recovery and daily activities.

Pregnancy induces substantial changes in various aspects of life, including sleep patterns, posture, walking style, and mood swings. Lower back pain following delivery can impede recovery, making movement and prolonged sitting challenging. The primary cause of postpartum back pain lies in hormonal changes. Hormones like progesterone and relaxing hormones, released during pregnancy to ease the birthing process, continue to affect ligaments and joints for several months, necessitating a return to normalcy.

Changes in posture during pregnancy, weight gain, expansion of the uterus, and the physical strain of childbirth contribute to back pain. Post-delivery factors such as sleepless nights, frequent bending, lifting the baby, incorrect breastfeeding posture, and additional physically strenuous activities exacerbate stress on the back muscles.

Postpartum pelvic pain is another common issue, with genital and pelvic pain persisting beyond the early postpartum period. The pelvic bone, composed of the hip bone, pubic bone, and sacrum, surrounded by ligaments and tendons, can suffer damage during pregnancy and childbirth, leading to persistent pain. Clinical studies have reported a 5% to 8.5% incidence of clinically persistent pelvic pain from postpartum to two years after childbirth.

Acupuncture emerges as a potential solution for postpartum pain management. Studies indicate that acupuncture can effectively reduce postpartum urinary retention, a condition affecting a small percentage of women. In a meta-analysis of 15 randomized controlled trials involving 953 patients, acupuncture demonstrated a higher cure rate compared to intramuscular injection of neostigmine, with no reported adverse events.

Furthermore, acupuncture shows promise in addressing postpartum urinary incontinence (PPUI), a prevalent urological condition in women post-childbirth. Nearly 73% of women with PPUI still reported symptoms six years after giving birth. Research suggests that acupuncture can mitigate bladder instability, offering a holistic approach to managing urinary incontinence.

In conclusion, recognizing and addressing postpartum back pain and pelvic issues is crucial for women's overall well-being. Acupuncture emerges as a safe and effective complementary therapy to alleviate postpartum pain, promoting a smoother recovery process.

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