The relationship between postpartum neck-upper extremity pain and activities of daily living in Japanese women

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between postpartum neck-upper extremity pain and specific childcare, housework, and daily activities. A survey of 312 Japanese women who gave birth in the past three years yielded 261 valid responses (mean age 32.2 ± 4.4 years). Pain intensity was measured using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), and pain location was identified through a multiple-choice body schema. Activities contributing to pain were identified from a predefined list, including childcare, housework, and daily living. Descriptive statistics and linear regression analyses explored these relationships. Results showed that 224 women (85.8%) reported neck-upper extremity pain, with a mean NRS score of 5.5 ± 2.2. Significant associations were found between specific activities and pain locations: baby carrier use with ulnar wrist pain; breastfeeding, washing the baby’s head, changing clothes, diapering, carrying heavy shopping bags, dishwashing, hanging clothes, and using a whipper with radial wrist pain; changing clothes with thumb carpometacarpal joint pain; feeding with a baby bottle and bathing with thumb metacarpophalangeal joint pain; carrying and picking up the baby from the floor and smartphone use with neck pain; smartphone use with shoulder pain; and using a baby stroller and changing the baby’s clothes with lateral elbow pain. In summary, many women experience moderate neck-upper extremity pain postpartum, related to specific childcare, housework, and daily activities. This study confirms that certain postpartum neck-upper extremity pains are associated with particular movements and activities.