Pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain

Pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain

• Are you experiencing pain at the back of the pelvis around the sacral bone or over the pubic bone during your pregnancy?
• Do these areas hurt when you stand up, turn over in bed, get in or out of the car, walking, or using stairs?

You may be experiencing pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain which means pain over the sacro-iliac joints, which are near the dimples in your lower back (between the triangular sacral bone at the base of the spine and the iliac bones on either side). You may also experience pain over the pubic symphysis joint at the front of the pelvis.

These joints are commonly irritated during pregnancy due to a number of factors including hormonal changes creating increased ligamentous laxity, biomechanical and postural changes with extra weight of baby and changes of body mass position, muscular overuse, or trauma.

How is it diagnosed?

A physiotherapist can complete an assessment which involves some physical tests to confirm diagnosis.

What can you do about it?

• Avoid standing on one leg, sit down to get dressed
• Avoiding wearing heels. Wear good supportive footwear.
• Reduce non-essential weight bearing activities like stairs, walking, standing for long periods of time
• Bracing or taping – a physiotherapist can fit you for a sacro-iliac joint belt or apply tape which can help to provide support to the pelvic girdle
• Massage – can be helpful in relieving tight muscles that may be contributing to pain
• Exercises – strengthening muscles that support the pelvis such as pelvic floor muscles, abdominal muscles, hip and gluteals muscles
• Abdominal compression may be helpful to support weight of baby as it can take pressure off the pelvis
• Ice therapy – applying ice pack to the joint can help to relieve inflammation of the joint
• Heat therapy – applying a heat pack to tight muscles may help to relieve pain and tension
• In some cases using mobility aids like crutches may be required if pain is severe

We recommend seeing your physiotherapist with expertise in pelvic pain for a detailed and thorough assessment to tailor the treatment to your needs as every ‘body’ presents differently.

While pregnancy-related girdle pain for some women can be disabling, the outcomes are usually good with most women report resolution of symptoms within 3 months postnatally.

Here at Synergy Physio we love helping women with their health. We offer expertise in pelvic pain, SIJ pain and pregnancy related pain.

Explore more about our team and how we can help you here! Collectively we offer you professional expertise and compassionate care.

Contact us today on 07 5448 3369 or simply book online