Most pregnant women experience low-back pain, which often is associated with sleep disturbance and can affect daily activities. Because of possible risks associated with many pain medications, pregnant women and their prenatal care providers often consider using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies, such as massage and spinal manipulation, for back pain. In a recent NCCAM-funded study, researchers at the University of North Texas investigated the effects of osteopathic manipulative treatment on back pain during the third trimester of pregnancy.In this exploratory trial, 144 women in weeks 28–30 of pregnancy received usual obstetrical care only, usual care plus a systematic osteopathic manipulative treatment protocol provided by an osteopathic specialist, or usual ca…
