• Schwab BD
• Van Blaricum C
• Alcantara Joel

• Adult
• Affiliation / Private Practice
• Affiliation / Southern Cross University, Gold Coast Campus. Department of Health and Human Sciences
• Affiliation(G) / Australia / Queensland / Bilinga
• Affiliation(G) / United States / Virginia / Williamsburg
• Affiliation(G) / United States / Virginia / Yorktown
• Female
• Pelvic Girdle Pain
• Pregnancy
• Pubic Symphysis
• Webster Technique

Objective: To describe the chiropractic care of a pregnant woman medically diagnosed with symphysis pubis dysfunction.

Clinical Features:  A pregnant women at 26.4 weeks gestation presented with a chief complaint of severe pelvic pain and crepitus localized to the pubic symphysis of 16 weeks duration. Her pain was constant, sharp, throbbing, burning, and aching being a 10/10 on the pain scale (i.e., 0=no pain; 10=worst pain imaginable). Medical consultation resulted in the diagnosis of symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD).  Her pubic region, sacroiliac joint, and lower back were tender to palpation.  Hypertonicity of the lumbar paraspinal musculature was noted bilaterally in the prone and seated positions. Orthopedic and neurological testing were unremarkable.  The examination revealed vertebral subluxations at the sacral apex, pubic bone, C2, and C7.

Intervention and Outcome: Webster Technique was utilized along with the use of multiple chiropractic techniques. Following one visit her SPD symptoms did not return throughout the rest of her pregnancy.

Conclusion: This case report highlights the benefits of spinal and extra-spinal adjustments in a woman suffering from symphysis pubis dysfunction and subluxation.

Author Keywords:  Pregnancy, chiropractic Webster Technique, symphysis pubis dysfunction, subluxation, adjustment, spinal manipulation

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