Exploring Sacro Occipital Technique Pelvic Block Treatment for Herniated Discs: A Case Study Review

Lumbar disc herniation causes significant pain and mobility issues for many patients. While surgery is often considered, conservative chiropractic care offers promising alternatives. This post reviews a case study by Blum C, presented in the Journal of Chiropractic Education (2004), which highlights the use of Sacro Occipital Technique (SOT) pelvic block treatment for severe herniated discs. The study provides insight into how this method can reduce pain and improve function in patients with complex lumbar disc problems.

Understanding the Patient’s Condition

The case involved a 37-year-old patient who experienced an aggravation of a previous work-related injury from 1997. Imaging revealed two significant issues:

• A 1.3 cm concentric disc bulge at the L5-S1 level

• An extruded disc at L3-L4 extending 8-9 mm posteriorly and to the right

  
  

These findings indicated severe lumbar disc herniation, which typically causes pain, limited range of motion, and functional impairment. The patient sought chiropractic care in September 2002 after symptoms worsened.

What Is Sacro Occipital Technique Pelvic Block Treatment?

Sacro Occipital Technique is a chiropractic method that uses pelvic blocks or wedges to correct pelvic and spinal imbalances. The treatment focuses on:

• Restoring proper pelvic alignment

• Reducing tension in muscles affecting the lumbar spine

• Stabilizing vertebral segments above the herniation

  
  

In this case, the patient was treated primarily in a prone position. Pelvic blocks were placed under the pelvis based on leg length discrepancies, cervical indicators, and pain reduction during treatment. The technique also involved gentle distraction of the herniated discs through leg and sacral traction.

An important part of the treatment was releasing tension in the psoas muscle, which lies in front of the lumbar discs and can contribute to disc pressure. The chiropractor applied gentle finger pressure under the patient while they rested on the pelvic blocks to relax this muscle.

Pelvic Block Treatment for Herniated Discs Process and Patient Response

The patient received treatment 1 to 2 times per week over three weeks. The approach was conservative and infrequent, focusing on gradual improvement rather than aggressive intervention.

After this period, the patient reported:

• Marked improvement in pain levels

• Restoration of most activities without limitations

• Increased range of motion in the lumbar spine

  
  

This positive outcome suggests that SOT pelvic block treatment can effectively support recovery in patients with severe lumbar disc herniation.

Why This Treatment Matters

Lumbar disc herniation often leads to chronic pain and disability. Surgical options carry risks and long recovery times, so conservative care is valuable for many patients. This case study shows that:

• Targeted pelvic block placement can reduce mechanical stress on herniated discs

• Gentle muscle relaxation techniques help relieve pressure on affected discs

• Stabilizing vertebral segments above the injury supports healing and function

  
  

The treatment’s success in this case supports further exploration of SOT pelvic blocks as a non-invasive option for lumbar disc disorders.

Practical Takeaways for Patients and Practitioners

If you or someone you know suffers from lumbar disc herniation, consider these points:

• Conservative chiropractic care, including SOT pelvic block treatment, may reduce pain and improve mobility without surgery.

• Treatment should be tailored to individual needs, focusing on pelvic alignment, muscle tension, and spinal stabilization.

• Regular but infrequent sessions can provide gradual relief and functional gains.

• Muscle tension, especially in the psoas, plays a key role in disc pressure and should be addressed during treatment.

  
  

For practitioners, this case highlights the importance of combining diagnostic indicators such as leg length and cervical signs with patient feedback to optimize pelvic block placement.

Final Thoughts

This case study offers encouraging evidence that Sacro Occipital Technique pelvic block treatment can be a valuable tool in managing severe lumbar disc herniation. Patients experienced meaningful pain relief and improved function after just a few weeks of conservative care. While more research is needed to confirm these findings broadly, this approach provides a promising alternative to surgery for many individuals.

Blum C, Sacro Occipital Technique Pelvic Block Treatment for Severe Herniated Discs: A Case Study, Poster Presentation: Proceedings of the ACC Conference XI, Journal of Chiropractic Education Spr 2004;18(1): 38-9

INTRODUCTION: The chiropractic profession is beginning to gather sufficient evidence that its conservative method of care is a viable option for patients suffering from lumbar disc herniation.  Recently two papers were presented which discussed the positive outcome of Sacro Occipital Technique (SOT) pelvic block placement on the treatment of lumbar disc herniation.  A 37-year-old patient presented at this office September 2002 due to an aggravation, a week earlier, of a prior work related injury, which occurred in 1997. He presented with a 1.3 cm concentric disc bulge at L5-S1 and an extruded disc at the L3-L4 level, extending 8-9 mm posteriorly and to the right per the radiologist’s report.

METHODS : Using various SOT diagnostic and treatment protocol for the treatment of lumbosacral discopathy, Category Three, the patient was treated with pelvic blocks or wedges.  The majority of the treatment was performed with the patient prone and pelvic blocks  placed under the pelvis according to leg length, cervical indicators, and determined by reduction of pain.  Gentle distraction was placed to the herniated disc by leg traction and/or sacral traction and stabilization of the lumbar vertebral segment superior to the herniation.  Psoas tension on the anterior aspect of the discs was “released” with the patient resting prone, on pelvic blocks, and with doctor’s hand placed under the patient with finger pressure directed anterior/posterior gently relaxing the muscle.

DISCUSSION:  Following three weeks of treatment at intervals of 1-2 times per week the patient noted that he felt markedly improved and had no limitations in his activities or ranges of motion to a large degree.  The patient received infrequent treatment following the initial 2 months and  months following his initial MRI a follow-up MRI was performed (7 months later due to awaiting approval from his workers compensation carrier) which found a 3 mm diffuse disc bulge at L3-L4 and L4-L5 per radiologist’s report.

CONCLUSION:  Many practitioners from a variety of technique disciplines utilize pelvic wedges or blocks as a chiropractic adjustment tool. DeJarnette introduced the pelvic blocks or wedges in the development of the Sacro Occipital Technique and their use is indicated by identifying specific criteria, with the positional placement under the pelvis is directed by identifying the short leg and pain reduction.  Future studies are needed to determine whether the findings in this case history can be generalized to patients presenting with herniated discs of the magnitude found with this patient.  Pre and post MRIs seem to be an important part of the process of determining a relationship between clinical findings and objective measurements of disc herniation.  While it must be noted that sometimes disc herniations will resolve over time independent of treatment, this patient’s concurrent clinical findings during the course of care make further investigation into SOT pelvic block placement for similar conditions warranted.