An investigation into whether osteopathy has a beneficial or effective contribution in the relief of the musculoskeletal and visceral symptoms experienced by females with endometriosis: a cross-sectional retrospective study.

Amanda Kennedy                                                                                                    Supervisor: Phyllis Woodfine

Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare the opinions of a representative sample of registered osteopaths as to whether osteopathy has a beneficial or effective contribution in the relief of the musculoskeletal and visceral symptoms experienced by females with endometriosis.

Data was obtained by using a cross-sectional retrospective observational survey based on a self-administered questionnaire obtaining both quantitative and qualitative information. The questionnaire was distributed, by post, to a random sample of 400 registered and practicing osteopaths.

A total of 116 (29%) questionnaires were returned. Less than 5% of the typical osteopathic female patient base had been diagnosed with endometriosis and 50% of these diagnosed females had specifically used osteopathy as a treatment adjunct. There was a decreased self-assessed confidence in the participant’s knowledge of endometriosis with only 51 (44%) of the population expressing confidence. Only 42 (36%) of the population perceived their treatment protocol for endometriosis sufferers to be effective. There was a general consensus that typical musculoskeletal patterns of dysfunction do not exist at any specific stage of the menstrual cycle.