Combined Manual Therapy Techniques for the Treatment of Women
With Infertility: A Case Series
Worldwide, 15% of couples are reported as infertile. In general, 27% of cases of infertility are caused by ovulation disorders; 25% male factors; 22% tubal disorders; 17%, unexplained factors; 5%, endometriosis; and 4%, other factors. Women in their childbearing years who have not been able to conceive after 1 year of unprotected intercourse are considered infertile. Current management options for infertility, including hormone therapy, intrauterine insemination, and in vitro fertilization, tend to be expensive, are not necessarily covered by insurance, and carry different levels of shortterm and long-term health risks.
Many of the issues that contribute to infertility can be traced to scar tissue, fascial restriction, and lymphatic congestion in the pelvic region. Manual therapy techniques exist to release fascial restrictions, to mobilize tight ligaments, and to drain congested lymphatics. Manual medicine has been used to manage these specific problems, all of which can be applied to the reproductive system.
In this case series, 10 infertile women were treated with 1 to 6 sessions of manual therapy applied to the pelvic region. Techniques included muscle energy, lymphatic drainage, and visceral manipulation. Six of the 10 women conceived within 3 months of the last treatment session, and all 6 of those women delivered at full term.
Further research is needed to assess the efficacy of manual therapy as a treatment option for infertile women
To view more results from this research, visit: https://jaoa.org/article.aspx?articleid=2094508&resultClick=1