During the study, the researchers wanted to highlight the impact of problems in other areas of the body on the lower back. For example, could foot, skull or vertebral blockages have an effect on the intensity of chronic low back pain?

Their intention was therefore to verify any influence from the spinal column, the skull or the lower limbs on the intensity of low back pain and on low back mobility.
To carry out their clinical study, they selected 54 subjects who were divided into three groups of 18 people. Two groups received four osteopathic treatments—spinal and skull treatments (craniosacral system) or treatments involving the lower limbs. The third group received four complete back massages.
Hühner/Mignault assessed the intensity of the low back pain, the mobility of the lumbar vertebrae and the participants’ functional level using the McGill-Melzack Pain Questionnaire, a validated questionnaire (the Dallas Pain Questionnaire or DPQ) and osteopathic tests for vertebral mobility. The assessments were performed before and after the series of four treatments and again one month after the treatments ended.

After analyzing the results, the researchers noted that the two groups that received osteopathic treatments reported significantly decreased pain intensity over time, which was not the case for the group that received massages. They were therefore able to state that decreased mobility in areas of the body that are separated from the lower back can influence chronic low back pain.

]]> https://qualita.ca/en/osteopathy-and-uterine-fibroids/ Tue, 09 Aug 2011 19:21:41 +0000 http://qualita.ca/?p=2404 Uterine fibroids or leiomyomas are among the most common benign tumours found in females. As many as 40 to 75% of women, in particular if they are over 30, have uterine fibroids, including asymptomatic patients.

Traditional medicine, aside from surgery, has little to offer women with these gynecological issues and the methods used are often associated with extensive side effects.

A study in Germany has shown scientifically and in a statistically significant manner that comprehensive osteopathic treatment, including normalization of the uterus, influences fibroids and their symptoms. The study in fact confirmed, via an ultrasound examination, that following the osteopathic treatments, the fibroids grew at a slower rate or even decreased in size and that the patients’ symptoms improved.

We have found that the sooner these patients are treated by an osteopath, the better the results. Often, the patients complain of musculoskeletal discomfort, such as lower back pain and sciatica. These symptoms are quickly relieved by the osteopathic treatment of the fibroid.

The possibility of treating fibroids with osteopathy should not be underestimated. Fibroids often play an important role in pathological chains and this link generally responds well to osteopathic treatment. In our practice, we need to learn to give fibroids the same importance that they occupy in the health of the women who turn to us for assistance.

]]> https://qualita.ca/en/chronic-prostatitis-and-osteopathy/ Tue, 09 Aug 2011 16:00:06 +0000 http://qualita.ca/?p=2351

Prostatitis refers to the inflammation of the prostate gland and can be divided into three categories: acute, chronic bacterial and chronic nonbacterial.

Chronic nonbacterial prostatitis is the most common type among middle-aged and older men.

Clinically, the patient may present with pain in the perineum and occasionally the groin, post-ejaculatory pain, loss of libido, or an incomplete erection (due to irritation of the posterior aspect of the urethra). These symptoms can last from a few hours to a few days, or even several weeks.

All types of prostatitis, if left untreated, can lead to debilitating pain, sexual impotence and difficulty urinating. Unfortunately, from a medical point of view, these patients are offered only prolonged antibiotic therapy despite the fact that their bacterial culture is negative. In our osteopathic practice, we have obtained remarkable results for this type of pathology by correcting dysfunctions in the pelvis and spinal column, increasing the flexibility and mobility of the prostate, hips and perineum and recommending certain types of food.

Prostate inflammation can occur progressively following a physical trauma to the pelvis or the lower back, or can be due to intestinal inflammation, intense stress or poor health practices. It can also result from prolonged pressure on the perineum, such as that experienced by cyclists. Consult your osteopath for more information.

]]> https://qualita.ca/en/consulting-an-osteopath-for-stress-urinary-incontinence/ Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:00:16 +0000 http://qualita.ca/?p=2356 Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a bladder symptom that primarily affects adult women. It refers to involuntary leakage of urine while coughing, jumping, changing position, sneezing, laughing and engaging in physical activity. Even a tiny urinary discharge can be dramatic due to the fear of the smell or of being wet. In a clinical setting, some women do not admit to having the problem out of embarrassment or because they do not realize that there are solutions for relieving their symptoms. Some women with this condition may even change their social and sporting activities as well as how they dress in order to deal with sudden urinary discharge. Today, different approaches are available based on the severity of the SUI, such as perineal retraining, biofeedback, electrical stimulation, medication and surgery.

In 2005, a study was conducted in Quebec by Pineault, D.O. and Sauvé, D.O. with 33 women who had had SUI for over six months without any other associated medical conditions. The conclusions of the study showed statistically significant improvements regarding urinary discharge as well as the strength and resistance of the pelvic floor. These last two aspects were evaluated using a biofeedback device. The results were obtained following four osteopathic treatments in the experimental group (17 women) compared with the other women in the control group (16 women). Finally, a telephone follow-up two months after the experiment confirmed that all the women in the experimental group considered their bladder control and pelvic floor improvements to be stable.

Therefore, specific osteopathic treatments can be of great assistance for many women who present with SUI.