• Shelley JR
• Blum C

• Chiropractic
• Low Back Pain
• Open Access Document
• Pregnancy
• Sacro Occipital Technique

Introduction: Sacroiliac (SI) joint laxity associated with pregnancy and delivery is purported to cause objective findings of an sacro occipital technique (SOT) category two pelvis. SOT describes a category of pelvic girdle pain and/or low back pain (PLPP) associated with increased posterior SI joint motion or ligamentous laxity called category two. This retrospective case series study involved 103 pregnant women age range from 21-32 years old were seen at this clinic from 1979-83.

Methods: Patients were evaluated via SOT diagnostic protocol, which included the SOT arm fossa test, increased unilateral or bilateral iliopsoas tension, palpation for pelvic torsion, leg length differentials, and Moiré contour photography.

Results: Using SOT’s arm fossa test as a method to evaluate clinically active category two or sacroiliac joint laxity, a large percentage of the patients (95%) had Arm Fossa Test positive (AFT+) findings, with 5 of the 103 patients having an Arm Fossa Test negative (AFT-). AFT- findings were associated with reduction or elimination of pelvic or inguinal pain, improvement of muscle strength and ability to rise from seated position as well as lift or carry objects, and improved sleeping and restfulness.

Discussion: Further study would be of value to determine if the AFT can become part of a series of tests used to assess the need for care of PPLP as well as if there is successful patient response to treatment. While pain during pregnancy is of great concern it is also of interest to determine whether proper sacroiliac joint juxtaposition may be related to foetal head position and birth outcome.

Conclusion: The biological plausibility of the treatment and the low force nature of the pelvic block placement offer a low risk procedure for pregnant patients that warrant a call for greater study and research investigation.

Author keywords: Chiropractic - Sacro-occipital technique (SOT) - Arm Fossa test - LBP - Pregnancy

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