Effectiveness of Physiotherapy on Postcesarean Pain and Functional Activities

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of physiotherapy applications in early postcesarean problems which make difficulties in functional activities, and includes a physiotherapy intervention group and a control group. Physical characteristics, obstetrical and surgical histories, and systemic problems, back pain, low back pain, headache, urinary/fecal incontinence problems and bowel habit of the subjects both in pregnancy and postpartum periods are recorded. First ambulation time after cesarean, presence of syncope, related vital signs, onset time of bowel peristalsis and defecation are also recorded. Intensities of incisional pain and difficulty in performing functional activities are evaluated by daily 0-10 cm visual analogue scales (VASs). Also, intensities of back pain, low back pain, headache, bloated feeling of the abdomen, and fatigue are also evaluated by daily VASs. Physiotherapy program included breathing exercises, active joint movements of the lower limbs, posture exercises, connective tissue manipulation and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.