Physical and Emotional Pain in Pregnancy and Childbed: Kinetic Therapy, Physical Therapy or Combined Therapy?

Abstract

Non-pharmacological therapies, in analogy to the pharmacological ones, may simultaneously treat physical and emotional pain. For pregnant and nursing mothers, this principle is especially true in the case of active kinetotherapy. Exercise and massage are effective in treating musculoskeletal pain in women during pregnancy and childbed. Although transcutaneous electrical stimulation and shortwave diathermy are used to treat musculoskeletal pain in pregnant women, their effectiveness is not fully demonstrated. Moreover, there appears to be maternal-fetal risks. In conclusion, physical therapy or combined therapy may be reserved for treatment of musculoskeletal pain in women during pregnancy and childbed only in cases of contraindications for physical effort.