Osteopathic Manipulation and Pregnancy

An observation of Osteopathic Medicine is improved health and function related to improved structural integrity, resulting from osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT). It is hypothesized that improving the structural integrity of the pregnant patients, would improve their ability to function optimally during pregnancy and labor.

A total of 34 women in their third trimester of pregnancy participated in this project: 45 in the control and 39 in the treatment group. All volunteers had symptoms, developing during or aggravated by pregnancy, of musculoskeletal pain, edema, shortness of breath, or headaches. The evaluation form asked the participant to rate their symptom severity from "no symptoms" to symptoms "as bad as could be."

The control group completed the evaluation form during their obstetrical visits; the treatment group received Osteopathic structural diagnosis and treatment as well. Osteopathic structural diagnosis focussed on the spinal transitional areas. However, any area of somatic dysfunction was evaluated and treated. Various treatment methods were employed depending upon the lesion complex. These modalities included: the cranial concept, strain counterstrain, high velocity low amplitude, articulatory, and muscle energy.

Of the 18 common complaints only four showed clear differences between the control and treatment groups. The results from the other 14 common complaints were equivocal. The researchers believe this is in part due to poor patient compliance during the study.
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Osteopathic manipulative treatment and the obstetrical patient. L. Brochu. D.O. JOAO Research Conference Abstracts 1992