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Know your risk level and how best to self-manage pain in pregnancy
Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is common in pregnancy with some studies[1] indicating as much as 33-50% of pregnant women will experience PGP before 20 weeks of gestation, possibly increasing to 60-70% prevalence in the late pregnancy stages.
Pelvic pain as well as associated low back pain can vary in severity and its degree of debilitation which does not necessarily subside postpartum.
Not all pregnant women develop PGP and some women are more susceptible than others. Women at higher risk may include those with a past history of PGP, lower back pain or any past pelvic trauma. Other contributing factors considered in some studies include high stress levels and psychological variables such as catastrophising and fear-avoidance beliefs[2].
Benefits of an early assessment
The key to successful management of PGP and low back pain is an early assessment and diagnosis to identify the level of risk for developing these painful and disabling symptoms later in pregnancy.
A comprehensive physical assessment by your Chartered Physiotherapist will identify any deficits in mobility and or alignment about the spine, hips and pelvic region as well as muscle strength and stability function. These are important factors contributing to your risk status for developing low back and pelvic pain.
Coping strategies
You will be advised on self-management techniques which will include having a greater awareness of your physical condition and potential pain risks.
We will teach you suitable ongoing exercises to perform and give advice on back care, ergonomics and lifting to help you maintain good levels of pain-free movement ensuring you can carry on with your daily activities.
When necessary we use manipulation and mobilisation techniques to help stabilise and strengthen the lower spine and pelvic girdle while improving mobility and reducing present pain.
An experience Chartered Physiotherapist will also help discount or identify any red flag/ more serious conditions that may warrant further investigation or referral.
Key Benefits
- Identity areas of restricted or excess joint mobility as well as muscle strength and stability deficits
- Put strategies in place to prevent further problems leading to the development of pain and disability
- Will be provided with self-management advice from experienced Chartered Physiotherapists who regularly treat pregnancy related pain conditions
- Tips and advice for returning to optimal function postpartum (Lorraine Carroll, practice principal, has recently gone through 2 pregnancies successfully implementing these pain self-managing techniques
Please note:
This session is ideally intended for expecting women in the earlier stages of pregnancy who are not in pain. This session is intended to help prevent the onset of pain and disability during pregnancy.
Women who are currently in pain would benefit from a normal Physiotherapy assessment and more than likely require a course of treatment.
While we cannot guarantee that pain will not develop following this special 1-hour session, should pain occur this session will equip you to better manage your symptoms.
