Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PGP)
Also used to be known as pubic symphysis dysfunction (SPD), is common in pregnancy and affects approximately 20% of pregnant women by the third trimester. It may occur with or separately to low back pain. A small number of women experience PGP after having their baby.
PGP can be felt in the lower back, buttocks, hips, groin, inner/ backs of the thighs. It is often brought on by activities such as walking, climbing stairs, getting in/out of bed and the car. PGP can occur during pregnancy as a result of postural changes, carrying more weight, weakening of the tummy muscles, pelvic floor muscles, buttock and inner thigh muscles and uneven movement of the back and pelvic joints.
PGP varies from person to person but if you are struggling to sleep, work and generally get about seeing a pregnancy specialist physiotherapist can really help to manage and improve your pain.
Gemma Barnes MSc MCSP MPOGP is a specialist physiotherapist with 15 years of experience treating pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain.
The first physiotherapy appointment will involve detailed questioning about your problem to identify the cause. A physical examination of the back, hips and pelvis will also be carried out to confirm a diagnosis and determine the best course of treatment. Physiotherapy treatments for PGP include: advice about adapting daily activities and exercises, exercise advice for pregnancy, home exercises, mobilisation of the back and pelvic joints, acupuncture and postural education.
Further information can be found at:
POGP website
https://thepogp.co.uk/patient_information/pregnancy_and_early_postnatal.aspx
NHS website
www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pelvic-pain-pregnant-spd/
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
I have seen many women in my physiotherapy clinic who are anxious and worried about having a pelvic organ prolapse and what this actually means for them. They may have been coincidently been told that they have a prolapse during a routine smear test or they may have started to have some symptoms of prolapse. Whatever, their circumstances they have lots of questions such as: Can I still have sex with a prolapse? Can I lift heavy weights? Can I exercise safely with a prolapse? I hope that this information piece helps to answer some of these questions, draws on the latest research evidence available and reassures women that there is a lot that can be done to treat prolapse effectively and that physiotherapy plays a good part in that.
For more information and answer to these questions
https://www.parkphysiotherapy.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Myth-busting-pelvic-organ-prolapse-1.pdf
Pelvic Pain
Pelvic pain is usually referred to pain below the umbilicus (belly button) but above the top of the legs. It can occur in women and men. Pain may be felt in the lower tummy, the pubic bone, vagina, penis, anus, tail bone, lower back and buttocks.
Pelvic pain may be associated with conditions such as bladder pain syndrome, interstitial cystitis, IBS, endometriosis, vulvodynia or chronic prostatitis. However, quite often a specific cause for pain is not found.
If you have had pelvic pain for more than 6 months it is usually referred to as chronic. You will need to be checked by your GP to make sure that there is no specific medical condition that needs to be treated. Once this has happened it can be very beneficial to have an assessment with a specialist physiotherapist who is experienced in treating pelvic pain.
Pelvic pain can be treated very effectively by physiotherapy. Treatment often includes a combination of exercises and manual therapy to make sure that the muscles, joints and ligaments of the pelvis are working as well as possible. It is also very important to address your emotions, stresses and lifestyle factors (such as diet, exercise/ activity, sleep) as these factors can increase the pain you feel. It is also important to consider any events that have happened in your past that may be linked to your pain.
Here at Park Physiotherapy Gemma Barnes MSc MCSP MPOGP is a specialist in this subject and would be able to provide a specialist assessment and treatment to help you. So please do get in touch.
Further information/ links
www.prostatecanceruk.org (specifically look for prostatitis)
