Effect of Ultrasound Versus Low Level Laser Therapy in Treatment of Postnatal Low Back Pain

Abstract
Background: Postnatal low back pain is considered as a serious health problem worldwide because it certainly can limit function and capacity in both work and personal life.
Purpose: To compare between the effect of ultrasound and low level laser in treatment of postnatal low back pain.
Participants: Thirty women were diagnosed with postnatal low back pain shared in this study. Their ages were ranged from 20 to 35 years old and their Body Mass Indices (BMI) did not exceed 30kg/m2. Patients with spinal fractures, lumbar spinal stenosis from lumbar disc herniation, degenerative joint diseases, or spondylolisthesis, women with BMI exceed 30kg/m2, patients who had polyneuropathy or other neurolog-ical disorders and patients with skin diseases interferes with ultrasound or laser application are excluded from the study. The study was conducted from June to December 2016.
Design: They were selected randomly from outpatient clinic of obstetrics department.
Location: This study conducted at Al-Zahraa University Hospital in Cairo, Al-Azhar University.
Methods: They were divided randomly into two groups equal in number. Group (A) consisted of 15 women and treated by therapeutic ultrasound three times per week for 4 weeks. Group (B) consisted of 15 women and treated by low level laser therapy three times per week for 4 weeks. Evaluations of all patients in both groups (A & B) were done before and after the treatment program.
Outcome Measures: Measuring pain intensity with VAS, lumber flexion and extension range of motion with Modified Schober method as well as lateral flexion for right and left sides with tape measurement.
Results: There was a statistically significant improvement of pain intensity, significant improvement of lumbar flexion, extension ROM and significant improvement of lateral side bending for right side and left side in both groups (A & B) when comparing post-treatment values to its corresponding pre-treatment values. When comparing both groups together, LLLT group (B) showed significant decrease in pain intensity, significant increase in lumbar flexion and extension and significant improvement of trunk side bending for right side and left side compared with ultrasound group (A).
Conclusion: The study revealed that both ultrasound and low level laser therapy are effective modalities for treating post-natal low back pain, as there were significant differences in pain intensity, flexion, extension and lateral side bending ROM after treatment. LLLT is better than ultrasound in decreasing pain intensity and increasing lumbar flexion, extension and lateral side bending ROM.