A postpartum patient who recently delivered via NSVD complains of low back pain. Which areas should you focus your gentle OMT on?

A postpartum patient who recently delivered via NSVD complains of low back pain. Which areas should you focus your gentle OMT on?

• A. Sacrum and lumbar regions
• B. Thoracic spine and ribs
• C. Pelvis and hips
• D. Cervical spine and occiput

Answer: (A)

Postpartum low back pain after a normal vaginal delivery is often driven by mechanical changes in the lumbosacral pelvis. The sacrum is the keystone connecting the spine to the pelvis, and during pregnancy hormones loosen ligaments while delivery can introduce sacroiliac joint dysfunction and subtle sacral torsions. Gentle osteopathic manipulative treatment targeted at the sacrum and lumbar region helps restore normal motion, reduce SI joint strain, and relax tight lumbar muscles. This approach addresses the primary drivers of pain in this situation, improves pelvic mechanics, and can lead to better relief than focusing on regions less involved in the postpartum lower back mechanics. The thoracic spine and ribs or the cervical spine and occiput are less directly related to the immediate source of postpartum low back pain.

Postpartum low back pain after a normal vaginal delivery is often driven by mechanical changes in the lumbosacral pelvis. The sacrum is the keystone connecting the spine to the pelvis, and during pregnancy hormones loosen ligaments while delivery can introduce sacroiliac joint dysfunction and subtle sacral torsions. Gentle osteopathic manipulative treatment targeted at the sacrum and lumbar region helps restore normal motion, reduce SI joint strain, and relax tight lumbar muscles. This approach addresses the primary drivers of pain in this situation, improves pelvic mechanics, and can lead to better relief than focusing on regions less involved in the postpartum lower back mechanics. The thoracic spine and ribs or the cervical spine and occiput are less directly related to the immediate source of postpartum low back pain.