Effectiveness of Exercise on Reducing the Intensity of Low Back Pain in Pregnant Women during 2nd Trimester of Pregnancy

Background: The low back pain during 2nd trimester of pregnancy is the common issue among pregnant women that raises the need for mandatory exercise program in the reduction of low back pain and changes in kinematics of spine. Purpose: of this study to find out the effect of exercise program in reduction of low back pain in pregnant women between 18 and 35 years. Materials and methodology: Thirty subjects aged between 20-35 years pregnant females who have low back pain during 2nd trimester is selected from Dr. Sengaliappan Nursing Home, Saibaba Colony and group A (15 subject) participated in an exercise program three time a week for 12 weeks and group B (15 subjects) as control group received only standard antenatal exercise. The outcome was measured by using Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire (for assessing the low back pain), Trunk side bending test (for assessing the kinematics of spine) and Pregnancy mobility index (for assessing the mobility status of pregnant women). Results: The results conclude that group A, who underwent abdominal strengthening exercise, hamstring strengthening exercise, hip flexor stretching exercise and paravertebral muscles stretching exercise are more effective in reducing the intensity of low back pain than Group B who underwent only standard antenatal exercise. Conclusion: It concluded that the patients who underwent exercise program of abdominal strengthening, hamstring strengthening, hip flexor stretching and paravertebral muscle stretching has significant reduction in intensity of low back pain and significant effect on flexibility of spine. And hereby we conclude that when the low back pain is reduced, the flexibility of spine is increased.