An 8-week study investigated the efficacy of osteopathic manipulative treatment in postpartum patients with persistent low back pain and functional limitations. Four applications of OMT over the study period resulted in a significant reduction in pain intensity and functional impairment in the intervention group.
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Methods: A randomized, controlled study design was used, and study participants were randomly assigned to an OMT treatment group and a control group with a waiting list for OMT after study completion. Inclusion criteria for study participation were pregnancy-related back pain for at least three months postpartum. Osteopathic manipulative treatment was performed four times at 2-week intervals, with a follow-up after 12 weeks. Patients received no additional pain-relieving treatment during the study period. Pain intensity was measured using a visual analog scale, and functional limitations were assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index. Both groups comprised 40 patients. Results: Pain intensity improved in both groups, but with greater statistical significance in the treatment group. Functional limitations also decreased more significantly in the intervention group due to OMT treatment. The 12-week follow-up showed further improvements. These results clearly indicate that patients with pregnancy-related back and functional complaints can benefit from four applications of osteopathic manipulative treatment over 8 weeks (Schwerla, Rother, Rother, et al., 2015). Bibliography: Schwerla F, Rother K, Rother D, et al., Osteopathic manipulative therapy in women with postpartum low back pain and disability: A pragmatic randomized controlled trial. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2015;115(7):416-425.
