Year: 2026 | Month: May | Volume: 13 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 612-617
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20260556
Prevalence of Upper Back and Periscapular Pain Among Postpartum Women in Amritsar
Jasmeen Kaur1, Varinder Kaur2
1Postgraduate Student, PG Department of Physiotherapy, Khalsa College, Amritsar.
2Assistant Professor, PG Department of Physiotherapy, Khalsa University, Amritsar, Punjab, India.
Corresponding Author: Jasmeen Kaur
ABSTRACT
Background: Postpartum women commonly experience musculoskeletal discomfort due to hormonal changes, altered posture, faulty breastfeeding positions, repetitive infant-care activities, and muscle imbalance. Upper back and periscapular pain are frequently reported complaints during the postpartum period, yet these conditions often remain under-recognized despite their impact on daily activities and quality of life. With more than 45,000 live births occurring annually in Amritsar, postpartum musculoskeletal health has become an important area requiring greater clinical attention and preventive physiotherapy strategies.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of upper back and periscapular pain among postpartum women in Amritsar and to analyze associated factors, including mode of delivery and functional impairment.
Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among postpartum women aged 20-40 years attending various hospitals in Amritsar. Women between 6 weeks and 12 months postpartum were screened during the study period. Data regarding demographic characteristics, mode of delivery, postpartum duration, and pain characteristics were collected. Pain intensity was assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), and functional impairment was evaluated using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS software.
Results: The study demonstrated a high prevalence of upper back and periscapular pain among postpartum women. Among the 150 postpartum women screened, reported upper back and periscapular pain, indicating a high prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints during the postpartum period. Women with vaginal deliveries demonstrated comparatively higher pain intensity and SPADI scores than women with cesarean deliveries.
Conclusion: Upper back and periscapular pain are common musculoskeletal complaints among postpartum women and may be associated with altered posture, childcare activities, and delivery-related factors. Early physiotherapy screening, ergonomic education, and postural correction strategies may help reduce pain and improve functional outcomes in postpartum women.
Keywords: Postpartum women, Upper back pain, Periscapular pain, Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, Physiotherapy.
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