Randomized controlled trial of the combined effects of a pelvic belt and acupuncture on postpartum low back pain

INTERVENTION: Acupuncture treatment for wearing the designated pelvic belt. Based on single‐use acupuncture needles (40 mm long, 0.12 mm in diameter), 4 acupuncture points (BL25, BL52, attachment points of the gluteus medius, gluteus maximus, or pisiform muscle, etc.) were selected from the lumbar region to improve back pain and to restore the postnatal physical condition, and 2 to 3 other points were also selected for minor problems after delivery. (2 to 3 acupuncture points) are also used for minor postpartum problems. The intervention period will be 5 days during both hospitalizations (discharge on the afternoon of the 5th day). In the combined group, in addition to wearing a pelvic belt from after delivery, acupuncture treatment will be provided based on medical interviews and physical examination twice on the 2nd and 4th days postpartum. The single group will wear the pelvic belt only, but as in the combined group, medical interviews and physical examinations will be conducted on the second and fourth postpartum days. CONDITION: postpartum low back pain PRIMARY OUTCOME: The primary outcome is the Functional Assessment Questions for Patients with Low Back Pain, which will be administered four times to the Visual Analogue Scale and 30 questions (5‐item method): at enrollment as a subject, on the second postpartum day, on the fifth postpartum day (at discharge), and at the two‐week postpartum checkup. SECONDARY OUTCOME: The secondary outcome will be a 4‐item scale of activities during the postpartum period developed by Kusumi and colleagues, administered four times: at subject enrollment (10 items), 2 days after delivery (2 types, 11 items in total), 5 days postpartum (at discharge) (2 types, 11 items in total), and at the 2‐week postpartum checkup (8 items). In addition, the degree of pain is rated on an 11‐point scale using the Numerical Rating Scale. INCLUSION CRITERIA: