If you have ever been pregnant, or know someone that has been pregnant, you have probably heard something along the lines of “oh that’s ok, you are pregnant and that is to be expected” when talking to a medical provider about symptoms that you are experiencing. While this might be true in regard to fatigue, mild achiness, or sleeplessness toward the end of pregnancy, it isn’t normal to experience pain while pregnant. Unfortunately, many people who are pregnant experience debilitating pain that prevents them from moving through their day at their highest level of function. The goal of this blog is to inform you about some common areas of pain that people can experience with pregnancy, along with how physical therapy can improve your quality of life while pregnant.
There are two common areas that I treat – one being the low back and the other being the bony pelvis. Let’s dive into the difference between these body parts.
Pregnancy-related low back pain is usually described as a constant ache that can be sharp with certain movements. Often, people will develop this pain in the second trimester or have had a history of low back pain prior to pregnancy. Common signs or symptoms include pain that radiates into one or both of the legs and decreased motion when trying to bend forward to touch the toes. Typically, this kind of pain isn’t aggravated with walking or standing, though people might have a movement bias. This means that someone might prefer to be in an extended or arched-back position, while someone else might prefer to be in a flexed or rounded forward position.
Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain is most frequently described as a sharp or stabbing pain that causes much difficulty with single leg tasks (e.g walking, stepping into/out of a car, climbing stairs). This can occur right away in the first trimester and can progressively worsen if not treated. Often this can be due to hormonal changes that allow for laxity around the pelvis. There are two areas in the pelvis that one might experience pain. The first is right at the front of the pubic bone (pubic symphysis), which will start to expand to allow for opening or widening of the birth canal. Some movement here is completely normal, but too much can lead to dysfunction. The other location is on the backside of the pelvis at the sacroiliac joint or SI joint for short. This is where the sacrum (part of your spine) and the ilium (part of your pelvis) meet. This joint is inherently stable due to the ligaments and the muscles that attach around this area. During pregnancy, there can be increased joint laxity or muscle tension, along with altered body mechanics that can contribute pain here.
Seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist can drastically improve quality of life during each stage of pregnancy, especially if you are experiencing pain. That is where I come in! When you schedule an appointment with me at CPT, I will complete a thorough evaluation and help determine where your pain is coming from. Then, I will work with you to develop a plan of care that addresses areas of concern AND that fits into your daily life. We will discuss activity modifications, use of pregnancy belts or SI belts (if needed), along with how you can manage your symptoms throughout pregnancy. I will tailor an exercise program that includes strength, mobility, and stretching to help you feel strong and confident through your pregnancy journey.
Being pregnant is hard work, even when everything goes according to plan. You don’t have to accept that pain is a normal part of the pregnancy process. Schedule an appointment with me here at CPT for tips and tricks to make it through pregnancy as smoothly as possible!
Pictured is Amanda Begic, PTA.