Postpartum Back Pain Treatment in Faridabad
Back pain after pregnancy and delivery is extremely common -- affecting up to 70% of new mothers in Faridabad and Delhi NCR. While it is common, it is not something you should simply accept as the 'new normal' of motherhood. Persistent postpartum back pain indicates underlying physical issues that are completely treatable with the right physiotherapy approach.
At Realign Rehab Clinic, Dr. Vaishali Suri and our postpartum physiotherapy team identify the specific causes of your back pain and create a personalised rehabilitation programme that eliminates pain, restores strength, and allows you to care for your baby and return to your life without discomfort.
Why Back Pain Persists After Pregnancy
Multiple factors contribute to postpartum back pain:
- Weak core and pelvic floor: Pregnancy stretches and weakens the deep core muscles that support the spine. Without proper rehabilitation, these muscles remain weak, forcing the spine to compensate.
- Diastasis recti: Abdominal muscle separation reduces spinal support and creates a destabilising force on the lower back.
- Hormonal laxity: The hormone relaxin -- which loosens ligaments during pregnancy to allow childbirth -- remains elevated during breastfeeding, leaving joints hypermobile and vulnerable.
- Posture changes from baby care: Breastfeeding, carrying, nappy changing, and rocking positions all involve prolonged forward flexion and asymmetric loading of the spine.
- Sleep deprivation: Poor sleep lowers pain threshold and impairs muscle recovery.
- Epidural-related muscle dysfunction: Women who had epidural anaesthesia sometimes experience delayed return of normal spinal muscle function.
Types of Postpartum Back Pain
- Lumbar back pain: Pain in the lower back, typically from core weakness and postural changes
- Pelvic girdle pain (PGP): Pain in the sacroiliac joints, pubic symphysis, and posterior pelvis -- different from lumbar pain and requiring different treatment
- Coccyx (tailbone) pain: After difficult deliveries with prolonged pushing or instrumental delivery
- Upper back and neck pain: From breastfeeding postures and carrying infant seats
Our Physiotherapy Treatment Programme
1. Comprehensive Postpartum Assessment
We assess core strength, pelvic floor function, diastasis recti, posture, and movement patterns to identify all contributing factors to your back pain. This is not a generic 'back pain' programme -- it is specifically designed for postpartum physiology.
2. Core and Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation
Restoring deep core function (transversus abdominis, multifidus, pelvic floor) is the most critical step in resolving postpartum back pain. We teach a systematic programme starting with low-load activation and progressively building to functional strengthening.
3. Manual Therapy
- Sacroiliac joint mobilisation for pelvic girdle pain
- Lumbar joint mobilisation and manipulation
- Soft tissue release for tight hip flexors, gluteals, and thoracic extensors
- Trigger point therapy for muscle spasm
4. Postural and Ergonomic Retraining
We analyse and correct your breastfeeding position, baby-carrying technique, nappy-changing setup, and pram posture. These prolonged postures are often the most significant ongoing contributors to postpartum back pain.
5. Progressive Strengthening
As core control is restored, we progressively build general strength including gluteals, hamstrings, and thoracic extensors to create a fully supported, pain-free spine.
When to Seek Help
Do not wait months hoping it will resolve on its own. Early physiotherapy produces the fastest recovery and prevents chronic pain patterns from developing. We recommend assessment at your 6-week postnatal check-up if back pain is present.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is postpartum back pain normal?
It is common, but it is not 'normal' in the sense of being acceptable or unavoidable. It indicates that your body needs rehabilitation support to recover fully from pregnancy and delivery.
Q: I'm breastfeeding -- is physiotherapy treatment safe?
Absolutely. All our postpartum physiotherapy treatments -- exercises, manual therapy, and electrotherapy -- are completely safe during breastfeeding.
Q: How long does postpartum back pain last without treatment?
Without treatment, postpartum back pain can persist for 12-18 months or longer. With physiotherapy, most women experience significant improvement within 6-10 weeks.