Pelvic girdle pain is pain in one of the joints of the pelvis. There are two joints at the back, both called the sacroiliac joints (SIJ’s) and one at the front, the pubic symphysis. Common areas of pain are generally in one or more of these three spots.

Symptoms of pelvic girdle pain

• Catching type pain usually aggravated by weightbearing activities like standing up from sitting down, rolling in bed or walking. This pain can be at any of the three spots outlined above.

• Pain at the back of the pelvis, the buttock area, when lying flat in bed

• Pain that runs down the insides of the legs

• Pain can sometimes refer form the buttock down the back of the leg

Causes

• Pregnancy

• Poor postures

• Sedentary lifestyle

• Overload with running or exercise with non-optimal biomechanics

• Stress

• Birth

• A fall

• Hypermobility

Asessment

• Subjective assessment: We will ask you lots of questions about your pelvis, about the rest of your body, any past injuries or surgeries, about what you do each day, your exercise routine and your health in general.

• Objective assessment of the pelvis: We will assess how well your pelvis can transfer load in all different positions. We will use an array of special tests if required.

• Full body assessment: We will always look at the rest of your body as well, to see if there are any areas that are contributing to your pelvic girdle pain. A common area that can contribute is the ribs.

• Internal examination: This is sometimes required in female patients as the pelvic floor inserts directly into the tailbone or coccyx at the back, as well as the pubic bone at the front, and therefore may be a contributing factor.

Treatment may include

• Connect therapy approach

• Muscle releases and soft tissue massage to the muscles of the pelvis

• Muscle releases internally to the pelvic floor if required

• Muscle releases and soft tissue massage to any other part of the body that is contributing to the problem

• Use of real time ultrasound for activation of deep abdominal wall (transversus abdominus) and pelvic floorpelvic floor muscles.

• Individualised exercise program including stretching exercises and strength training.

• Taping.

• Dry needling