One of the most common conditions we see in our pregnant patients here at Lifespan Osteopathy is pelvic girdle pain. This is not surprising, as it affects around 20% of women during their pregnancies. The team at Lifespan are experts at providing osteopathy treatments for pregnant mums.
In simple terms, this means pain anywhere in the area of the pelvis, which is a ring of bones at the base of your spine.
Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) can also be known as:
PGP in pregnancy is usually caused by an uneven strain on one or more of the joints in and around your pelvis. As the baby grows, and as circulating hormones that help your tissues relax and prepare for the birth increase, this can lead to a decrease in stability of these joints, which then become painful.
From an Osteopathic perspective, we are also interested in assessing your whole body, as we believe that the pelvis does not function in isolation. Therefore, strain or dysfunction in other areas of your body may also be having an effect on your PGP.
The good news is, that no matter how severe your PGP is, there are some things that can be done to help you. Your Lifespan Osteopath will perform a thorough history and examination to try to determine the underlying factors in your PGP.
We utilise a special Pregnancy Pillow in the treatment of our pregnant patients, which allows women to lie on their stomachs comfortably where necessary.
We utilise massage and mobilisation a lot for our pregnant patients, as well as more gentle techniques aimed at restoring balance in the ligaments throughout your pelvis. We can also advise on specific strengthening exercises, as well as things to avoid and even bracing where necessary.
The “Golden Rule” for women suffering pelvic pain in pregnancy