Application Of Osteopathic Treatment for Non-Pain–Related Discomforts of Pregnancy

Abstract

Many osteopathic textbooks include treatment modalities and techniques that could improve frequently experienced ailments of pregnancy, such as nausea, vomiting, gastroesophageal reflux disease, constipation, and edema. However, there is little scientific evidence to support the use of osteopathy for these conditions, particularly among the pregnant population. The aim of this literature review is to identify and evaluate current evidence regarding the use of osteopathy in the management of common discomforts of pregnancy. Several search engines and journals were used to identify peer-reviewed articles written between 2003 and 2023. Eleven articles were included in total, including a variety of case reports, pilot studies, and journal articles. The results show that although osteopathy does appear to be safe to perform during the third trimester and its efficacy in the treatment of these conditions is promising, current evidence is insufficient to guide treatment protocols. Further research is needed to establish efficacy and determine osteopathic treatment regimens.