title: Treatments for pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain: a systematic review of physiotherapy modalities.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the effect of physiotherapeutic interventions on pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data sources: MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PEDro, CINAHL, AMED, and SCOPUS databases were searched up to December 2014 for studies written in English, French, German or Scandinavian languages that evaluated physiotherapeutic modalities for preventing and treating pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For lumbopelvic pain during pregnancy, the evidence was strong for positive effects of acupuncture and pelvic belts. The evidence was low for exercise in general and for specific stabilizing exercises. The evidence was very limited for efficacy of water gymnastics, progressive muscle relaxation, a specific pelvic tilt exercise, osteopathic manual therapy, craniosacral therapy, electrotherapy and yoga. For postpartum lumbopelvic pain, the evidence was very limited for clinic-based treatment concepts, including specific stabilizing exercises, and for self-management interventions for women with severe disabilities. No specific adverse events were reported for any intervention. No meta-analysis could be performed because of study heterogeneity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The levels of evidence were strong for a positive effect of acupuncture and pelvic belts, but weak for an effect of specific exercises. Caution should prevail in choosing other interventions for pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Rehabilitation, Unit of Physiotherapy, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.|Division of Physiotherapy, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Annelie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gutke
authors.affiliation: Primary Health Care, Skurup, Region Skåne, Sweden.
authors.forename: Carola
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Betten
authors.affiliation: Primary Health Care, Lund, Region Skåne, Sweden.
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Degerskär
authors.affiliation: Private Clinic 'Friskispraktiken', Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pousette
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Rehabilitation, Unit of Physiotherapy, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.|Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Monika Fagevik
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Olsén
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D012648:Self Care
keywords: Pelvic girdle pain; low back pain; physiotherapy; post-partum; pregnancy