Pelvic Pain In Pregnancy.
Pelvic pain during pregnancy is termed PGP (pelvic girdle pain), or SPD (symphysis pubis dysfunction), and can cause serious discomfort to many women.
Pain may be felt anywhere around the pelvis, groin, hips, and thighs, and can affect one or both sides.
Aggravations can include turning over in bed, climbing the stairs, walking, standing on one leg, and taking the legs apart.
Causative factors are women who: have pre-existing back/pelvic/hip pain, have a physically demanding job, are overweight, have had PGP in previous pregnancy, or having a multiple birth pregnancy.
How can Physiotherapy help?
Each client will have slightly different needs which will be determined during the Physiotherapy assessment. A treatment plan including hands-on therapy, and an exercise programme will be designed for you taking into account your current abilities, and your medical history. It may or may not be advised for you to wear a pregnancy support belt, but if required you will be guided as to which one would be best for you. The exercises and treatment will be modified through each pregnancy step, and can be continued if needed after labour (PGP/SPD can continue after labour until the pregnancy hormones have left the body).
Tips:
- Get dressed sitting down – don’t attempt to stand on one leg.
- Get out of the car with your legs together – you can place a plastic bag on the seat to help you to swivel around.
- Try placing a pillow in between your knees when sleeping on your side, and keep the knees together when turning over.
- If you have a support belt try not to wear it all the time as this can weaken the muscles around the pelvis/under the bump. Just wear it if you are going to be standing/walking for long periods of time.
Find out how we could help you
Email us at info@northamptonshirephysio.com for more information or click the button below to book your treatment.
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