Pelvic Girdle Pain in Pregnancy
Physiotherapy for Pelvic Girdle Pain
Pelvic dysfunction is common in pregnancy. The pelvis can become very mobile secondary to hormonal changes and this can have a knock-on effect through the pelvis and into the lumbar spine.
The muscles attaching to the bones of the pelvis, the sacrum, the coccyx, the hips and the lumbar spine will become stressed as they try to compensate for the increased mobility and lack of stability, they will tighten up, often develop trigger points and become painful.
Research has shown that asymmetry between the two sides of the pelvis often with hypermobility on one side and hypomobility on the other side is also one of the major causes of pain. The following are all relatively common:
- Pelvic dysfunction where the pelvis is poorly aligned.
- Pubis symphysis separation where there is instability and loss of alignment.
- Sacral torsion where the sacrum looses its central position or pattern of movement between the two pelvic bones.
- Lumbosacral dysfunction where the lumbar vertebrae become involved.
- Uplsips and downslilps where the pelvic bones slip either up or down in relation to the other side.
- Pelvic rotations where the pelvic bone rotates forwards or backwards in relation to the other side.
Physiotherapy involves learning correct posture, which is vital to maintain balance between the pelvis and the spine, manual therapy techniques to realign the pelvis, manual therapy for the lumbar spine, relearning normal movement patterns and learning core stability to provide the pelvis with the stability it has lost.
Correct rehabilitation of the pelvic floor is also central to treatment of Pelvic Girdle Pain.
Our reception staff will be able to recommend therapists who have experience in treating Pelvic Girdle Pain and pelvic floor dysfunction.
Please click to view or download our brochure on Pelvic Girdle Pain in Pregnancy.
Recommended web site: www.pelvicpartnership.org.uk