Osteopathy in Postpartum Lumbopelvic Pain

Postpartum lumbopelvic pain is a common condition after childbirth and may affect pain levels, physical function, daily activities, and quality of life. Conservative treatment options include patient education, exercise, and manual therapy. Although osteopathic manupilative treatment has been shown to improve pain and function in musculoskeletal disorders, limited evidence is available regarding its effects on stress hormone levels and inflammatory biomarkers in women with postpartum lumbopelvic pain. This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of osteopathic manupilative treatment on pain, physical function, quality of life, stress hormone levels, and inflammatory biomarkers among women with postpartum lumbopelvic pain. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: education and core stabilization exercises, education and core stabilization exercises combined with osteopathic manupilative treatment, or education and core stabilization exercises combined with sham osteopathic manupilative treatment. Outcome measures will be assessed before treatment and one week after the final treatment session.

Inclusion Criteria: * Female participants aged 18 to 50 years. History of childbirth within the previous 6 to 15 months. Diagnosis of postpartum lumbopelvic pain confirmed by an obstetrician-gynecologist. Presence of low back pain and/or pelvic girdle pain for at least 3 months according to the European Guidelines for the Prevention of Low Back Pain and the European Guidelines for Pelvic Girdle Pain. Pain intensity of at least 5/10 on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * History of low back pain or pelvic girdle pain before pregnancy. Multiple pregnancy (twins or higher-order pregnancy). Receiving other physical therapy interventions or pain-related medication during the study period. History of major trauma. Musculoskeletal injury or fracture. Myofascial pain syndrome. Fibromyalgia. Osteoarthritis. Neurological disorders (e.g., radiculopathy or myelopathy). Chronic inflammatory disease. History of cancer. Osteoporosis. Inability to comply with the study procedures.