Pelvic girdle pain is an umbrella term for pain felt during pregnancy and postnatally in the joints that make up your pelvic girdle (Symphysis pubis and/or sacro-iliac joint). Throughout your pregnancy vast amounts of hormones are released, included is relaxin that softens and relaxes ligaments predisposing joints to dysfunction and/or injury.
Pelvic girdle pain can occur at any point during pregnancy or postnatally with a sudden or gradual onset. As every pregnancy is different so are the symptoms experienced. Commonly pelvic girdle pain is experienced as an irritation of the pelvic joints due to a change in pelvic mobility and an increase in load.
Possible symptoms:
- Buttock pain
- Lower back pain
- Bruised sensation over joints
- Sharp pain over joints
- Pain shooting down legs
- Heaviness of legs
- Pain with changing positions
Possible causes:
- Natural release and influence of hormones on pelvis
- Baby position
- Overload from incorrect movement patterns
- Decreased activity in core muscles
- Increased body weight
- Excessive splitting legs apart
- Pushing through legs during labour
- Fall
Management and prevention:
- Women’s health Physiotherapy
- Education and modification of movement patterns
- Decreasing aggravating factors
- Posture and lifting education
- Pelvic floor exercises and functional use
- Support belts
- Soft tissue massage
- Mobilisations
- Stretches
- Modification of birth plan
QUICK TIP – What can you do to prevent pelvic girdle pain:
Avoid single leg standing, splitting legs apart and heavy lifting
At Total Mums we specialise in the care and rehabilitation of pelvic girdle pain throughout pregnancy and postnatally.
References;
Association of charted physiotherapists in women’s health (http://acpwh.csp.org.uk/)