Indian Journal of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy - An International Journal

  • Year: 2019
  • Volume: 13
  • Issue: 3

Awareness about Exclusive Role of Postnatal Physical Therapy: A Preliminary Survey Conducted on Obstetricians at Aurangabad, Maharashtra

1Associate Prof., MGM's Institute of Physiotherapy, Aurangabad

2Retd Professor, MGM School of Physiotherapy, Navi Mumbai

*Corresponding Author: Ashwini A Kale, Assistant Prof., MGM's Institute of Physiotherapy, N-6 Cidco, Aurangabad. E-mail: ashwinikalept@yahoo.co.in

Online published on 11 July, 2019.

Abstract

Individual need based (INB) Pelvic floor muscle training and active care of Diastasis recti form the essential components of postnatal care and such care is included as exclusive component of postnatal Physiotherapy (PNPT). Lack of such awareness resulting into poor referrals for PNPT was hypothesized to be prevailing among our Obstetricians.

This hypothesis was tested by conducting a brief survey on 105 obstetricians from Aurangabad using a brief questionnaire that included 8 questions.

The result showed that none of the questions was answered completely. Analysis of percentage values of options except those in Q.2, 6 & 7 was inferred as acceptance of our hypothesis. Those 6 subjects who referred patients for PNPT were found to be faculty members interacting with teaching Physiotherapy dept. This observation strongly recommended active participation of Physiotherapists to spread awareness about the exclusive components of PNPT among health professionals involved in maternal care.

Keywords

Postnatal physiotherapy, women's health, pelvic floor, diastasis recti, exercise, physical therapy