On February 11, 2013, a study was published in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, documenting the case of a woman being helped with post pregnancy pelvic pain. In this case the woman was suffering from “osteitis pubis”, which is a noninfectious inflammation of the pubis symphysis (the pubis bone in the front of the pelvis), causing varying amounts of lower abdominal and pelvic pain.
The authors note that the incidence of osteitis pubis is not well known, but that one in seven women with the diagnosis of chronic pelvic pain had an undetermined cause and were typically treated with rest and pelvic stability support belts.
In this case a 32 year old woman was referred to a chiropractor from her OBGYN. She had been suffering from chronic pubis symphysis pain which began two years earlier in the last trimester of her first pregnancy. The pain somewhat relieved after her first pregnancy. The authors report that the woman’s pain intensified during her second pregnancy and remained 2 months following delivery.
When asked to rate her pain on a 1-10 scale, the woman stated it was between 7 and 10 with 10 being the worst. Her pain was aggravated by normal activities such as standing, walking, walking up stairs, and rolling over in bed.
A chiropractic examination was performed which included palpation of the woman’s lumbar spine, sacrum, and pelvic bones. The examination showed that there was a restriction in the left sacro-illiac joint (SI) resulting in a limited range of motion. The examination also showed tenderness over this SI joint. Specific postural x-rays were taken noting malposition of the pelvic bones.
A determination was made that subluxations were present of the woman’s pelvis and a series of specific chiropractic adjustments were initiated to correct them. In a short amount of time the woman’s pain rating went from 7-10 to a 4-5 and remained at that level for a time. Exercises were added to her care plan and the pain eventually completely disappeared, at which time she was able to resume a normal exercise routine. A one year follow-up reported that the woman was still completely free of the pain.
