Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy as Part of the Postpartum Care Continuum

The purpose of this study is to 1) Describe changes in health-related quality of life in postpartum women following eight weeks of orthopaedic physical therapy management as part of the postpartum care continuum for active-duty service members 2) Describe changes in pain and physical activity levels following eight-weeks of OMPT management in this same sample and 3) Determine whether select patient characteristics associated with improvement physical function scores following this same eight-week program of OMPT. This is a Quasi-experimental one-group repeated measures study. Participants who meet the inclusion criteria will be evaluated by board certified orthopedic physical therapist who is a fellow-in-training.The initial evaluation and treatment will be provided over an 8 week period with a minimum of 3 visits. The treatment approach will be initiated at the initial visit and will be based on standard of care OMPT treatment and existing rehab frameworks for postpartum pelvic girdle pain, low back pain and return to physical activity. At the 8-week time point, participants will complete final outcomes tools. Participants will be discharged from the study, but they can choose to continue physical therapy intervention with their treating provider if they desire. Data beyond the 8-week mark will not be saved for the research trial.