Pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain (PRPGP) is a condition that effects a vast majority of women during the antenatal timeframe. Recent statistics have revealed that up to 84% of women experience pelvic girdle pain while pregnant. The condition itself involves dysfunction within the pelvic joints and the associated ligaments, muscles and nerves.
During pregnancy the female body undergoes a combination of hormone changes, alterations in posture and if there is underlying muscle weakness, this can result in pain and discomfort during everyday movements.
Causes & Symptoms
Symptoms include but are not isolated to:
- Difficulty standing on one leg
- Pain with walking
- Difficulty lying on one side and turning in bed
- Poor sleep
- Pain with prolonged sitting or standing
- Hip pain
- Leg pain
- Difficulty climbing stairs
Management:
Engaging with a comprehensive physiotherapy assessment is essential to deciding the appropriate treatment approach and gaining the necessary advice to help you manage Pelvic Girdle Pain within your everyday life.
Treatment from your physiotherapist can include a combination of:
- Manual therapy
- Core retraining
- Strengthening exercises
- Implementation of a pelvic compression belt
- Education
Other information:
Pregnancy Related Pelvic Girdle Pain is a common disorder that effects the vast majority of pregnant women. Please know you do not need to push through the pain! Your physiotherapist is here to help!
Take a wise and healthy approach by seeking the advice and expertise of a physiotherapist early who will be able to help you through your pain management journey. To speak to one of our Women’s Health Physiotherapists book online today.
References:
Homer C, Oats J. Clinical practice guidelines: Pregnancy care. Canberra: Australian Government Department of Health, 2018; p. 355–57.
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