Understanding Pelvic Girdle Pain: Insights from a Pelvic Floor Osteopath
Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is a common issue affecting many individuals, especially women during pregnancy and postpartum periods. This condition is relatively common in pregnancy, affecting around 20% of the pregnant population at one stage or another. In this blog, we'll delve into what pelvic girdle pain is, its causes, symptoms, and how Osteopathy and pelvic floor therapy can offer relief and support.
Pelvic girdle pain can be considered an umbrella term for any condition causing pain or discomfort of the pelvic girdle including the sacroiliac joints, pubic symphysis, and surrounding muscles and ligaments. It can range from mild discomfort to severe, debilitating pain, affecting mobility and daily activities. It is important to note that PGP does NOT encompass lower back pain, even though both can commonly exist together.
Causes of Pelvic Girdle Pain:
Pregnancy: PGP is commonly associated with pregnancy due to hormonal changes (mainly relaxin and estrogen), increased joint laxity, and the biomechanical stresses of carrying a growing child.
Postpartum: PGP can persist or develop after childbirth due to the lingering effects of pregnancy hormones, pelvic floor muscle weakness, or unresolved biomechanical issues.
Overuse or Injury: Activities such as heavy lifting, repetitive movements, or trauma can strain the pelvic joints and muscles, leading to PGP.
Biomechanical Imbalances: Postural considerations, muscle imbalances, or pelvic torsions can contribute to PGP by placing uneven stress on the pelvic structures.
The symptoms of PGP can vary widely among individuals but often include:
Pain or discomfort in the front and or back of the pelvic region, hips, groin, or thighs.
Difficulty with weight-bearing activities such as walking, climbing stairs, or standing for prolonged periods.
Clicking, locking, or grinding sensations through pelvic joints
Stiffness or decreased range of motion in the hips or pelvis.
Pain with certain movements such as getting in and out of bed, deep squats, turning over in bed, or shifting positions.
Radiating pain or numbness into the buttocks or legs, resembling sciatica.
Pelvic Floor Osteopathy offers a holistic approach to treating PGP by addressing the underlying causes and restoring pain free movement to the pelvic region. Here are some ways pelvic floor osteopaths can help:
Assessment and Diagnosis: A thorough assessment is conducted to identify the specific factors contributing to PGP, including biomechanical issues, muscle imbalances, and joint dysfunction.
Osteopathy: Hands-on techniques such as soft tissue manipulation, joint mobilisation, and myofascial release are used to alleviate muscle tension, improve joint mobility, and restore alignment in the pelvis.
Pelvic Floor Therapies: Rehabilitation: Pelvic floor exercises and rehabilitation techniques are prescribed to strengthen weak muscles, improve pelvic stability, and enhance overall pelvic floor function.
Education and Self-management Strategies: Patients are educated about posture correction, ergonomic principles, and self-care strategies to manage PGP symptoms and prevent recurrence.
Collaborative Care: Pelvic floor osteopaths often work closely with other healthcare providers such as physiotherapists, midwives, and obstetricians to provide comprehensive care and support for individuals with PGP, especially during pregnancy and postpartum.
Tips to help manage PGP:
Don’t push through the pain - first, discuss your symptoms with your treating practitioner to understand if these tips are appropriate for you as each person will have different symptoms.
Use an ice pack or heat pack on the area (whichever is more comfortable to yourself) for 20-30 minutes every 2-3 hours. Make sure this is not directly on the skin to avoid any skin irritation.
Conditioning moving within pain free limits.
Keeping knees together when getting out of bed/getting into cars. This can be helped in bed with the use of silky pyjamas to help you glide or sitting on a paper plate/piece of paper on the car seat to help your pelvis twist when leaving the car.
Reduce heavy lifting, especially lifting when standing on one leg.
Taking shorter strides when walking
Wear pelvic compression garments as supplied by a pelvic floor therapist.
Stretches, self-release and strengthening exercises provided to you by your treating professional. It is important to get these prescribed to you, as pushing through pain can potentially exacerbate the condition.
Pelvic girdle pain can significantly impact an individual's well-being, but with the right approach, relief is possible. Pelvic floor Osteopathy offers a personalised and holistic approach to addressing PGP by targeting the underlying causes, restoring pelvic function, and empowering individuals to manage their symptoms effectively. If you're experiencing pelvic girdle pain, don't hesitate to seek help from a qualified pelvic floor Osteopath to regain comfort and mobility in your daily life.