The pelvis is a complex structure and pain in the pelvic region is one of the most common complaints in pregnant and post-natal women. The pelvis is made up of bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons and it houses and protects organs responsible for reproduction and excretion.
How does pregnancy and the post-natal body affect the pelvis?
During pregnancy, the pelvis goes through hormonal changes to make space for the growing baby inside the uterus. The ligaments of the pelvis become softer, or relaxed, which allows the pelvis to become more ‘open’. As a result, the pelvis can become more sensitive to pain.
A growing belly also puts pressure on the lower back as posture has to be adjusted to counterbalance the weight at the front of the body. As the lower back becomes more arched, the load on the pelvis also changes.
The pelvic floor muscles are all within the pelvis itself as well. Their role is to support the organs in the pelvis, essentially keeping them in place. A growing baby increases the workload of the pelvic floor and a pelvic floor muscle group that is lacking in strength and/or endurance will struggle to do this job. As a result, a pregnant woman is at a higher risk of developing incontinence and lower back pain both during and after pregnancy.
After birth, the pelvic ligaments pelvic floor muscles can take from 3 months to 18 months to fully heal. During this post-natal period, women can still experience pelvic girdle pain as this healing takes place.
How can pelvic girdle pain be treated?
A physiotherapist will be able to assess what structure(s) are causing your pain and tailor a treatment solution to address your needs and goals.
This can include:
- pelvic floor muscle training
- muscle strengthening exercises around the pelvis to improve movement and stability
- manual therapy for joints or muscles that are tight, stiff or sore
- advice and education on how to manage the symptoms and resolve the pain
