Effect of High Power Pain Threshold Ultrasound on Postnatal Sacroiliac Joint Pain

Sacroiliac joint pain (SIJ) in the pregnant and postpartum females is susceptible to dysfunction due to multiple biomechanical changes that happen over the course of gestation. This includes an increased angle of lordosis, weight gain, and structural trauma due to the physiologic process of childbirth, biomechanical changes, along with hormonal fluctuations through each trimester, particularly with increased levels of estrogen and relaxin, have been found to decrease the stability of the joint leading to sustained postpartum back pain that may necessitate surgical intervention if conservative treatment fails.

PGP can result in significant physical disability and has important psychosocial implications, including extended leave from work during pregnancy and postnatal, poorer quality of life (as a result of being unable to carry out normal roles, affecting their ability to care for their children and the new baby) and predisposition to chronic pain.

There are side effects to using medical treatment for PGP, such as bruising, bleeding, stomach upset (including bleeding in the stomach), peptic (stomach) ulcers, blurred vision, constipation, dry mouth, fatigue, headaches, insomnia, mood changes, nausea, urination problems, and weight gain. So, using other treatment methods, such as ultrasound therapy to treat PGP is beneficial.

Ultrasound therapy is a non-invasive treatment in which sound waves penetrate soft tissues, increasing blood flow; this can help relieve pain, improve circulation, and promote tissue healing. As such, ultrasound therapy is often used to treat injuries, muscle spasms, and chronic issues like neck or back pain.

No previous study has investigated the effect of high-power pain ultrasound on sacroiliac pain in postpartum women. So, this study aims to investigate the effect of high-power ultrasound on postnatal sacroiliac joint pain.