Physiotherapy and Pelvic Girdle Pain in Pregnancy

pelvic

Physiotherapy and Pelvic Girdle Pain in Pregnancy

Pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy is a common condition that can develop during or following pregnancy. In short, pelvic girdle pain is pain in the pelvic joints. 

Causes:

Pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy consists of many uncomfortable symptoms caused by stiffness or misalignment of the pelvic joints. Pelvic girdle pain can cause restrictions in mobility, pain, instability and problems in the pelvis and lower back area. 

Risk Factors:

  • History of pelvic girdle or low back pain
  • Previous injury to the pelvis
  • Past pregnancies with pelvic girdle pain
  • Increase body mass index
  • Smoking
  • Stress
  • Physically demanding job

 Aggravating factors:

  • Fast and prolonged walking
  • Rolling or turning in bed
  • Moving legs apart
  • Squatting
  • Lunging
  • Ascending and descending stairs
  • Getting in and out of the car
  • Sitting to standing
  • High impact exercise ie. Jumping
  • Standing on one leg

Symptoms:

  • Difficulty sit to stand
  • Pain radiating down the inner thigh
  • Inflammation and or swelling over the joint
  • Difficulty standing on one leg
  • Reduce hip movements
  • Pain in the hips
  • Pins and needles and numbness down the leg
  • Stooped posture
  • Shuffling gait
  • ‘Clicking’ noise from the pelvis
  • Pain between the vagina and anus
  • Lower back pain
  • Pain over the pubic bone

Assessment:

Your physiotherapist will provide a correct diagnosis of your condition based on your clinical examination, symptom behaviour and history. 

Treatment:

There is growing evidence that physiotherapy treatments are effective in managing pelvic girdle pain. Physiotherapy treatment aims to relieve and alleviate pain, prevent reoccurrence of pelvic girdle pain and improve function. Physiotherapy treatment for pelvic girdle pain may include the following: education and advice, manual therapy, electrotherapy, exercise prescription, activity modifications and equipment.

Book a consultation online

Speak with the expert team at Edgewater Physiotherapy if you are struggling with pelvic girdle pain from pregnancy. We get fantastic results for patients each and every time. Contact us to find out more about how we can help.