Chiropractic treatment of a pregnant patient with lumbar radiculopathy

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this report is to describe chiropractic treatment of lower back and unilateral leg pain in a pregnant patient. Clinical Features: A 26-year-old woman in her second trimester of pregnancy had severe pain in her lower back that radiated to her hips bilaterally and to her right leg. She reported tingling down her right lower leg to the dorsum of her foot. Although no diagnostic imaging was performed, her differential diagnoses included lumbalgia with associated radiculopathy. Intervention and Outcome: Treatment consisted of manual traction in the side-lying position using a specialized chiropractic table and treatment technique (Cox flexion-distraction decompression) modified for pregnancy. Relief was noted after the first treatment, and complete resolution of her subjective and objective findings occurred after 8 visits. Conclusion: When modified, this chiropractic technique appears to be an effective method for treating lower back pain with radiation to the leg in a pregnant patient who cannot lie prone.

Chiropractic case reports: a review and bibliometric analysis

“…The first, published in 1995, was written by nurse midwife and described successful chiropractic manipulation of the pelvis to treat sciatica which developed during labor [ 54 ]. Other CRs in this category described the management of pregnancy-related pubic symphysis pain [ 55 ], lumbar radiculopathy [ 56 ], and meralgia paresthetica [ 57 ].…”

Chiropractic Care for the Pregnant Body

“…Spinal manipulative therapy is effective in treatment of lumbosacral radiculopathy in the general population, however the specific effects as it relates to this condition in pregnancy are not well studied. [36][37][38] Webster Technique Developed over 30 years ago, the Webster technique refers to a specific chiropractic assessment and diversified adjustment to reduce the effects of sacral subluxation and improve neurobiomechanical function in the sacral/pelvic region. 39 The Webster technique is used in practice on all weight-bearing individuals and is not specific to pregnancy, but because of the sacral subluxation and changing dynamics of the pelvis and spine in pregnancy this technique is more often used in pregnant women.…”

“…The cause of sciatic pain is pregnancy is multifactorial, but is related to the increased lordosis, fluid retention, and the enlarging uterus and fetus all causing compression of the sciatic nerve. Spinal manipulative therapy is effective in treatment of lumbosacral radiculopathy in the general population, however the specific effects as it relates to this condition in pregnancy are not well studied 36–38…”