Effects of iliopsoas and piriformis muscle stretching along with Maitland's mobilizations in postpartum Coccydynia; A randomized control clinical trial

Background: Childbirth is a well-known cause of Postpartum Coccydynia associated with pain and tenderness at the tip of the tailbone between buttocks and is a renowned source of maternal morbidity if left untreated. Objective: To explore effect of piriformis and iliopsoas muscle stretching along with mobilization of sacro-iliac joint and coccyx in patients suffering from postpartum Coccydynia. Methodology: In a randomized control clinical trial, fifty-six females with clinically diagnosed postpartum coccydynia were recruited and randomly divided into two groups G1=intervention group (n=28), G2=control group (n=28). All participants have similar characteristics in that they had >2 child deliveries, aged between 25-35 years, with a visual analogue scale ≥ 6 in a sitting position. The experimental group was treated with heat therapy (10 mints), along with piriformis and iliopsoas muscle stretching, Baseline measurements include the Intensity of pain measured by the visual analogue scale, tenderness by algometer, and duration of pain-free sitting. Post-treatment effects were measured after two weeks, and follow-up was carried out every month for three months to check the recurrence or continuous recovery. Results: The experimental group showed a significant improvement in pain intensity, pain pressure threshold and pain free sitting compared to the control group (p<0.05). Visual analogue scale 6.87±2.07 had improved 3.9±1.37 after treatment compared to the control group 6.87±1.9(pre study) to 6.2±1.8(post study). Conclusion: Stretching exercise, mobilization, and medicine (NSAIDs) were effective in relieving pain and complete recovery of postpartum Coccydynia.