OSTEOPATHIC MANIPULATIVE TREATMENT FOR LOW BACK PAIN DURING PREGNANCY: A CASE REPORT
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Purpose: In 2010 Licciardone et al. published the landmark paper "Osteopathic manipulative treatment of back pain and related symptoms during pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial" in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. They found that osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) was effective at slowing or halting the deterioration of back-specific functioning during pregnancy. Since this publication there is been an increase in interest among physicians in the use of OMT as a treatment for back pain during pregnancy. The purpose of this case report is to demonstrate a pregnant patient with low back pain who was successfully treated with OMT. Methods: This case report consisted of a review of a patient's medical file. Results: A 19-year old G1P0 Caucasian female presented at an osteopathic manipulative medicine clinic at 21 weeks gestation for a three month history of low back pain. The patient was found to have somatic dysfunctions of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, as well as the pelvis and sacrum. She was treated with a variety of OMT techniques and reported reduced pain both immediately after treatment and at her 10 day follow-up appointment. Conclusions: Low back pain is a common complaint among pregnant women and can be treated with OMT to reduce pain and improve function. Osteopathic physicians should continue to offer OMT to their obstetric patients because of its proven effectiveness.