Pelvic girdle pain, also known as PGP or symphysis pubis dysfunction, causes pain and discomfort in the pelvis and lower back. It is common during and after pregnancy, but can also be caused by injury or trauma. Treatment includes rest, physical therapy, and medication, and pregnant women should consult their obstetrician before starting any exercise program.
Pelvic girdle pain, also referred to as PGP and sometimes symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD), involves pain, discomfort, and even immobility of the pelvic girdle, also known as the bony pelvis. The bony pelvis is made up of three bones: the ilium, ischium, and pubis. Pelvic girdle pain is most often associated during or immediately after pregnancy, although it is not uncommon for a patient to have pelvic girdle pain due to injury or trauma.
Pain is the primary symptom of PGP. It may be most evident in the joints of the pelvis, often affecting the pubic bone in the front, but is also felt in the lower back. Other symptoms include difficulty and pain or discomfort when walking, mobility difficulties such as sitting, standing, or twisting at the waist. In the case of SPD, the pain is thought to be caused by loosening or detaching of the ligaments surrounding the pelvic region.
Pelvic girdle pain is often considered a symptom of physiological changes that occur during pregnancy. The pelvis supports the weight of a growing fetus long enough that the pressure causes pain and discomfort. Mild to moderate pain and discomfort can be expected, but severe or debilitating pain that interferes with daily activity should be addressed by a physician.
Because of the frequency of pelvic girdle pain with pregnancy, your obstetrician can provide a treatment plan that includes a combination of rest and physical therapy activity to help strengthen your core pelvic muscles and joints. Treatment of this postpartum pain may also include osteopathy. Chiropractors familiar with this condition can also provide treatment options for PGP in male, elderly, and postpartum patients.
Because the exact physiological cause of PGP is varied and diagnostically unclear, treatment for pain relief should be individualized. For nonpregnant women, a doctor can rule out the primary causes of the pain, including pelvic inflammatory disease and other STDs that can cause pelvic pain. If no underlying cause is found, treatment may consist of a combination of physical therapy, prescription medication, and osteopathy. The treatment approach is as varied as the individual symptoms and causes.
Pregnant women experiencing symptoms of pelvic girdle pain should speak to their obstetrician or midwife, while other patients may wish to discuss their symptoms with their GP, chiropractor or an orthopedic specialist. Non-impact exercise and stretching, such as those exercises associated with yoga, are thought to provide relief for this type of pain. Pregnant women should seek advice from their obstetrician or midwife before embarking on any new exercise program.
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