Survey study, 2015
Is neck and shoulder pain common after birth, and what increases the risk?
Yes, 73.1% of women had neck and shoulder pain one month after birth. Women who had previous PMS, anemia during pregnancy, more breastfeeding, and worse mood had higher rates, though this is observational so causation is not proven.
What they did
308 Japanese women answered questions about neck and shoulder pain one month after delivery. The researchers measured their mood using a standard questionnaire (POMS-B).
What they found
73.1% had neck and shoulder pain, most commonly in the shoulder muscles. One-fourth of cases started after birth. Pain was linked to previous PMS, anemia, longer breastfeeding time, and higher fatigue, confusion, anger, and depression scores.
What it means for you
Neck and shoulder pain is very common after birth and is linked to having had PMS. The study was limited to Japan and measured women only once, one month postpartum, so we don't know how pain changes over time.
73.1%
had neck and shoulder pain
one-fourth
pain occurred after birth
About the study
- Original title
- The prevalence of primary neck and shoulder pain, and its related factors in Japanese postpartum women
- Authors
- Koyasu K, Kinkawa M, Ueyama N et al.
- Journal
- Clinical and experimental obstetrics & gynecology
- Year
- 2015
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 308
- What was tested
- None - observational study
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.12891/ceog1809.2015
Topics
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