Osteopathic Consideration of Pelvic Girdle Pain in the Postpartum Patient: A Case Study

Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) during and after pregnancy can present diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. In our case, a 31-year-old Asian American woman developed PGP and lower back pain that was not relieved 3 months’ postpartum. She was treated with over-the-counter analgesics and physical therapy for 12 weeks with minimal and temporary improvement. The patient was offered OMT and examined nine months’ postpartum. A full osteopathic structural exam was performed along with treatment, and exercises were recommended. OMT was focused on sacroiliac and pelvic techniques. A significant reduction in pain was reported posttreatment, followed by complete pain resolution, indicating great benefit of incorporation of OMT into the treatment plan.