Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP)

About
  • Pelvic pain in pregnancy
  • Stiffness of your pelvic joints/joints moving unevenly at either the front/back of your pelvis
  • Affects up to 1 in 5 women
  • Also referred to as Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD)

Potential Causes
  • Uneven pelvic joints can lead to the pelvic girdle becoming less stable and therefore painful
  • The extra weight and the change in the way you sit/stand puts additional strain on the pelvis
  • Women who are more inclined to get PGP
    • History of lower back/pelvic girdle pain
    • Previous injury to the pelvis
    • PGP in a previous pregnancy
    • Physically demanding job
    • Overweight
    • Multiple birth pregnancy

Symptoms
  • Pain over the pubic bone 
  • Lower back pain
  • Pain in the area between your vagina and anus (perineum)
  • Pain spreading to your thighs
  • A clicking/grinding in the pelvic area
  • Worsened pain from movement

Diagnosis
  • Assessment of your posture, back and hip movements by a pelvic physiotherapist to rule out other causes and determine if you have PGP

Treatment
  • Pelvic Physiotherapy: To relieve/ease pain, improve muscle function and improve your pelvic joint position and stability
  • TENs machine: Delivers small electrical impulses through electrodes that have adhesive pads to attach them to the skin
  • Pelvic support belt: Can alleviate pressure by supporting the abdominal and lower back area
  • Hydrotherapy
  • Exercise to strengthen your pelvic floor, stomach, back and hip muscles
  • Warm baths
  • Ice/heat application
  • Deep tissue massage