In this article, you will find out everything you need to know about pelvic girdle pain and the most effective ways to treat it, including an advanced treatment called Prolotherapy.
Table of Contents
- Causes of Pelvic Girdle Pain
- Symptoms of Pelvic Girdle Pain
- Risk Factors
- Diagnosis
- Treatment Options
- Preventive Tips
- Case Studies
- FAQ
- Clinic Info & Author Bio
- References
Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) refers to a collection of musculoskeletal disorders caused by the uneven movement or stiffness of the pelvic joints, resulting in pain and discomfort in the pelvis and lumbopelvic (lower back) area and musculoskeletal pain radiating to the perineum and upper thighs. People struggling with PGP may experience pain from the lower back down to the thighs. PGP is primarily common during pregnancy and postpartum and usually resolves after birth [1]
Pelvic girdle pain is a collective term that refers to all pelvic pains, including symphysis pelvic dysfunction (SPD). PGP ranges from moderate to severe pain, limiting daily life activities. The joints that get affected due to PGP include:
- The sacroiliac joint
- The symphysis pelvic joint
- Ligaments and muscles associated with the joints
Why Is Pelvic Girdle Pain More Common During Pregnancy?
It is estimated that PGP affects one in every five pregnant women…
What Are the Symptoms Indicative Of Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP)?
The symptoms of PGP may vary from moderate to severe…
Risk Factors For Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP)
- Smoking
- Increased body mass index (BMI)
- Orthopaedic dysfunction
- Work dissatisfaction
- Prior history of pregnancy
- History of PGP during previous pregnancies
- History of trauma to the pelvis
- Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction
- Joint hypermobility
- Emotional distress during pregnancy
How Is PGP Diagnosed?
If you have pelvic girdle pain, your general practitioner will refer you to a physiotherapist…
Treatment For PGP
Prolotherapy
The structures in and around the pelvic girdle have a poor blood supply…
Other treatment options include:
- Medication
- Physiotherapy
- Alternative Therapies
Coping With Pelvic Girdle Pain: Some Preventive Tips
- Stick to pelvic floor exercises recommended by your physiotherapist
- Wear flat supportive shoes
- Avoid activities that worsen your pain
- Use pillows and modify movements to reduce strain
- Stay active within limits
Case Studies
Case Study 1: Pregnant Woman with PGP
A 32-year-old woman in her third trimester experienced severe pelvic pain affecting daily activities. After targeted physiotherapy and prolotherapy sessions, her mobility improved within 4 weeks, and pain decreased significantly.
Case Study 2: Postpartum PGP
A 28-year-old woman developed PGP after childbirth. A combination of pelvic support belts, guided exercise, and prolotherapy provided lasting relief, enabling her to resume normal activity and child care.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What does pelvic girdle pain feel like?
Pain over the pubic bone, limited hip abduction, grinding sensations, or referred pain in lower back and legs.
How do you relieve pelvic girdle pain?
Proper posture, smaller steps while walking, avoiding heavy lifting, and placing pillows between knees or ankles when lying down.
What causes pain in the pelvic girdle?
Joint instability, pregnancy, loose ligaments, previous back pain, or baby’s position in the womb.
Does bed rest help pelvic girdle pain?
Bed rest may help but should be combined with physiotherapy and guidance from healthcare professionals.
Will pelvic girdle pain go away?
It usually resolves after childbirth, though some women may experience symptoms up to one year postpartum.
Does PGP make labour worse?
It may cause discomfort but does not harm the baby. Proper preparation can mitigate issues during labour.
Contact ProHealth Clinic Today for Your FREE 15-Minute Discovery Call
Don’t let Pelvic Girdle Pain control your life any longer. Join the thousands of patients who have found lasting relief through prolotherapy at ProHealth Clinic.
Get in Touch
Phone: +441234380345
Email: info@prohealthclinic.co.uk
Our Clinic Locations
London: 104 Harley Street, Marylebone, W1G 7JD
Manchester: The Hadley Clinic, 64 Bridge Street, M3 3BN
Bedford: The Village Medical Centre, Kingswood Way, MK40 4GH
All clinics offer the same award-winning prolotherapy treatment with convenient appointment times, including evenings and weekends.
Author Bio
Having performed over 10,000 procedures, Mr Eaton is one of the UK’s leading practitioners in the field of treating Pelvic Girdle Pain, with patients travelling to see him from across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East.
With over 12 years of clinical experience, Oliver is dedicated to helping patients understand their symptoms associated with Pelvic Girdle Pain and providing effective treatment options to alleviate them.
He qualified in Prolozone Therapy and Prolotherapy in America with the American Academy of Ozonotherapy. He continued on to complete further qualifications at the Royal Society of Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital in London, Keele University’s Anatomy & Surgical Training Centre, and the medical department of Heidelberg University in Germany.
Over the years he has had the privilege of treating many elite-level athletes, including both Olympic and Commonwealth medallists.
LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-eaton-4338225b/
References
- Vermani E, Mittal R, Weeks A. Pelvic Girdle Pain and Low Back Pain in Pregnancy: A Review. Pain Pract 2010;10:60–71. https://doi.org/https:/doi.org/10.1111/j.1533-2500.2009.00327.x
- Bergström C, Persson M, Mogren I. Pregnancy-related low back pain and pelvic girdle pain approximately 14 months after pregnancy – pain status, self-rated health and family situation. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2014;14:48. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2393-14-48
- NHS UK (2016). Pelvic pain in pregnancy: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/related-conditions/common-symptoms/pelvic-pain/
- Symphysis pubis dysfunction: a practical approach to management. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist (2006;8:153–8). Available at: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1576/toag.8.3.153.27250/pdf
- ACPWH. 2012. ACPWH guidance on the safe use of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for musculoskeletal pain during pregnancy. Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Women’s Health [now POGP]. pogp.csp.org.uk
- Bergström C, Persson M, Nergård K-A, Mogren I. Prevalence and predictors of persistent pelvic girdle pain 12 years postpartum. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2017;18:399. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-017-1760-5
- NICE. 2018. Sciatica (lumbar radiculopathy). Clinical Knowledge Summaries. cks.nice.org.uk
- Casagrande D, Gugala Z, Clark SM, Lindsey RW. Low Back Pain and Pelvic Girdle Pain in Pregnancy. JAAOS – J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2015;23
- Clinton S, LaCross J. Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Womenʼs Heal Phys Ther 2017;41:100–1. https://doi.org/10.1097/JWH.0000000000000080
- Nielsen L-L. Clinical findings, pain descriptions and physical complaints reported by women with post-natal pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2010;89:1187–91. https://doi.org/https:/doi.org/10.3109/00016349.2010.501853
- Vleeming A, Albert HB, Ostgaard HC, Sturesson B, Stuge B. European guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic girdle pain. Eur Spine J 2008;17:794–819. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-008-0602-4