Can back pain caused by symptom-giving sacroiliac joint relaxation ...

2. Osteopathy during pregnancy
2.1. History
The use of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) during pregnancy has a long
tradition, but systematic examination of its applications and outcomes is still rare.
During the first half of the 20 th century, osteopathic medical literature included
thorough discussions of the applications of OMT in prenatal care. Many articles
contained descriptions of specific OMT techniques. [22] Empirically-oriented articles
of OMT in obstetrics with larger subject samples published in the second half of the
last century recurringly addressed the theme of pain reduction during pregnancy and
labour. [15, 22, 25]
2.2. Osteopathic care in pregnancy and in preparation for delivery
During pregnancy it becomes increasingly difficult for the woman to lie in a prone and
supine position. Considering that it is typically these positions that are used in OMT
techniques, this is already one good reason for osteopaths to develop special
approaches. [39]
The osteopathic doctrine builds on a holistic view of anatomy. Especially during
pregnancy the woman’s anatomy changes concerning the form and size (abdominal
region, pelvic region and posture) of various ligaments, muscles and fasciae. (see
chapter 1.4.) Now the tension in these structures may already be overly high, and
since they additionally have to provide space for the growing fetus by relaxing and
prolonging, these changes may result in disorders. [39, 64] The osteopath helps the
body relieve these unnecessary tensions and provide for the mobility of the maternal
structures required for the growth of the fetus. Artificially induced spinal strain in
experimental animals at least suggests that, in the presence of such dysfunction, an
excessive number of fetal anomalies appear in comparison with the controls. [64]
Master’s Thesis Wolfgang Aspalter 30