• Courses
    • • All Courses
    • • Courses Policy
  • For Professionals
    • • Employment Opportunities
    • • Host A Course
  • For The Patient
    • • Pelvic Health Information
    • • Participate in Research
  • • What People Are Saying
  • Find a Health Care Professional
  • Resources
    • • Resources
    • • FAQs
  • About PHS
    • • About Us
    • • The PHS Team
    • • PHS Classroom & Lab
    • • Contact PHS
Pelvic Health SolutionsPelvic Health Solutions
  • Courses
    • • All Courses
    • • Courses Policy
  • For Professionals
    • • Employment Opportunities
    • • Host A Course
  • For The Patient
    • • Pelvic Health Information
    • • Participate in Research
  • • What People Are Saying
  • Find a Health Care Professional
  • Resources
    • • Resources
    • • FAQs
  • About PHS
    • • About Us
    • • The PHS Team
    • • PHS Classroom & Lab
    • • Contact PHS

Pelvic Girdle Pain

Evidence-based pelvic health teaching since 2010
  • Home
  • Pelvic Girdle Pain

Pelvic Girdle Pain

Search Knowledge Base by Keyword

Created OnSeptember 19, 2019
byPHS Team

Pelvic Girdle Pain

 

What is it?

The pelvic girdle is a ring of bones that makes up the boney pelvis. This central area connects the trunk of the body to the lower limbs. It has a joint in the front, called the pubic symphysis joint, as well as two joints in the back on the right and left sides of the pelvis called the sacroiliac joints (SI joints).

Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) is an umbrella term used to describe a variety of pelvic pain conditions, including symphysis pubis pain, previously referred to as symphysis pubis dysfunction, and SI joint pain on either the left, the right, or both sides of the back of the pelvis. Pain may be experienced at the pubic symphysis joint, the buttocks, the sides of the hips, in the groin, and/or down the insides of the thighs.


What causes it?

It is believed that PGP is the result of multiple factors including mechanical, motor control, and sometimes hormonal issues. Additionally, research has shown that fear, beliefs about pain and recovery, and avoidance of movement all play a role in how an individual experiences pain such as PGP.

Commonly reported aggravating activities include: 

  • Pain and/or difficulty walking.
  • Pain with weight-bearing on only one leg (eg. Climbing stairs, putting on pants).
  • Pain with “straddling” movements (eg. Getting into and out of a car or bathtub).
  • Pain with turning over in bed or lying on one’s side.
  • Pain with the first few steps after rising from a seated position.

Pelvic Girdle Pain Myths

Myth: Your pelvis is unstable.

Fact: Your pelvis is incredibly stable. The joints of the pelvis are strong and reinforced by many ligaments. Activities of daily living including lifting, rising from a seated position, walking up stairs, and pregnancy are not activities that put the pelvis at risk of instability.

Myth: Your pelvis is out of alignment (in the absence of severe injury).

Fact: In the absence of severe injury (eg. multiple storey fall, car accident), these joints are extremely robust. In fact, the joints are so strong that there is almost no movement within them. Only a few degrees can be appreciated at your SI joints and that is only for part of your life before they become fused together.

 Myth: Rest and avoid activity.

Fact: Limiting your movement can make your symptoms worse. In fact, exercise therapy is recommended to help alleviate PGP.

Myth: Relaxin, a hormone prevalent during pregnancy, is responsible for PGP.

Fact: Men and non-pregnant women alike can develop PGP, and we now know that even in pregnant women, there is likely a combination of factors involved in the experience of PGP. We can no longer blame PGP on Relaxin.

 Treatment for Pelvic Girdle Pain

  • Pain education.
  • Therapeutic exercise.
  • Postural and activity modification.
  • External myofascial techniques.
  • Internal myofascial techniques.
  • Treatment of the nervous system.

Prognosis

PGP can most often be managed very well with physiotherapy. Your therapist will help you to understand what is contributing to your experience of pain, as well as develop a plan to help manage your symptoms as you embark on a journey towards recovery.

  • For the Patient
    • For The Patient
  • What is Pelvic Floor Health Physiotherapy?
    • What is Pelvic Floor Health Physiotherapy
  • Why Do We Do an Internal Exam?
    • Why Do We Do an Internal Exam?
  • The Biopsychosocial Approach
    • The Biopsychosocial Approach
  • Incontinence – Urinary and Fecal
    • Incontinence: Urinary and Fecal
    • Facts and Myths About Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Weakness
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Strengthening (Kegels) for Females (Or If You Have a Vulva/Vagina)
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Strengthening (Kegels) for Males (or if you have a Penis)
    • The Knack
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Tightness
    • Bladder Irritants
  • Overactive Bladder (OAB)
    • Overactive Bladder
    • Bladder Irritants
    • Nocturia
  • Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP)
    • What is Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP)?
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Weakness
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Strengthening (Kegels) for Females (Or If You Have a Vulva/Vagina)
    • The Knack
    • Constipation
    • Pessary
  • Bowel Dysfunction
    • Bowel Dysfunction
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Weakness
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Strengthening (Kegels) for Females (Or If You Have a Vulva/Vagina)
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Strengthening (Kegels) for Males (or if you have a Penis)
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Tightness
    • Constipation
    • Deep Breathing Exercises
    • Reverse Kegels (Pelvic Floor Drops)
  • Pelvic Floor Muscle Weakness
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Weakness
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Strengthening (Kegels) for Females (Or If You Have a Vulva/Vagina)
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Strengthening (Kegels) for Males (or if you have a Penis)
    • The Knack
  • Pelvic Floor Tightness
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Tightness
    • Deep Breathing Exercises
    • Reverse Kegels (Pelvic Floor Drops)
  • Persistent Pelvic Pain
    • Persistent Pelvic Pain
    • Pelvic Tissue Dysfunction
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Tightness
    • Deep Breathing Exercises
    • Reverse Kegels (Pelvic Floor Drops)
    • Sensitive Nervous System
    • Types of Pain
    • Understanding Pain Better
    • Laughter
    • Sleep
    • Nutrition and Persistent Pain
    • Connective Tissue Dysfunction
    • What Are My Myofascial Tender Points?
    • Pudendal Nerve Irritation
    • Self-Treatment Techniques for Foam Rolling
    • Pain Education in a Nutshell
    • Catastrophization
  • Endometriosis
    • Endometriosis
    • Pelvic Tissue Dysfunction
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Tightness
    • Deep Breathing Exercises
    • Reverse Kegels (Pelvic Floor Drops)
    • Sensitive Nervous System
    • Types of Pain
    • Understanding Pain Better
    • Laughter
    • Sleep
    • Nutrition and Persistent Pain
    • Connective Tissue Dysfunction
    • What Are My Myofascial Tender Points?
    • Self-Treatment Techniques for Foam Rolling
    • Pain Education in a Nutshell
    • Catastrophization
  • Dysmenorrhea (Painful Periods)
    • Dysmenorrhea (Painful Periods)
    • Pelvic Tissue Dysfunction
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Tightness
    • Deep Breathing Exercises
    • Reverse Kegels (Pelvic Floor Drops)
    • Sensitive Nervous System
    • Types of Pain
    • Understanding Pain Better
    • Laughter
    • Sleep
    • Nutrition and Persistent Pain
    • Connective Tissue Dysfunction
    • What Are My Myofascial Tender Points?
    • Self-Treatment Techniques for Foam Rolling
    • Pain Education in a Nutshell
    • Catastrophization
  • Vaginismus
    • Vaginismus
    • Accommodators and Dilators
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Tightness
    • Lubricants and Moisturizers
    • Vulvar Care
    • Pelvic Tissue Dysfunction
    • Deep Breathing Exercises
    • Reverse Kegels (Pelvic Floor Drops)
    • Sensitive Nervous System
    • Sleep
    • Types of Pain
    • Understanding Pain Better
    • Laughter
    • Nutrition and Persistent Pain
    • Connective Tissue Dysfunction
    • What Are My Myofascial Tender Points?
    • Self-Treatment Techniques for Foam Rolling
    • Pain Education in a Nutshell
    • Catastrophization
  • Vulvodynia
    • Vulvodynia
    • Vulvar Care
    • Pelvic Tissue Dysfunction
    • Deep Breathing Exercises
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Tightness
    • Reverse Kegels (Pelvic Floor Drops)
    • Sensitive Nervous System
    • Types of Pain
    • Understanding Pain Better
    • Laughter
    • Sleep
    • Nutrition and Persistent Pain
    • Connective Tissue Dysfunction
    • What Are My Myofascial Tender Points?
    • Self-Treatment Techniques for Foam Rolling
    • Pain Education in a Nutshell
    • Catastrophization
  • Dyspareunia (Painful Penetration)
    • Dyspareunia
    • Vulvar Care
    • Accommodators and Dilators
    • Lubricants and Moisturizers
    • Pelvic Tissue Dysfunction
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Tightness
    • Deep Breathing Exercises
    • Reverse Kegels (Pelvic Floor Drops)
    • Sensitive Nervous System
    • Types of Pain
    • Understanding Pain Better
    • Laughter
    • Sleep
    • Nutrition and Persistent Pain
    • Connective Tissue Dysfunction
    • What Are My Myofascial Tender Points?
    • Self-Treatment Techniques for Foam Rolling
    • Pain Education in a Nutshell
    • Catastrophization
  • Interstitial Cystitis and Bladder Pain Syndrome
    • Interstitial Cystitis (IC) and Bladder Pain Syndrome (BPS)
    • Diet Modification for IC/BPS
    • Pelvic Tissue Dysfunction
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Tightness
    • Deep Breathing Exercises
    • Reverse Kegels (Pelvic Floor Drops)
    • Sensitive Nervous System
    • Types of Pain
    • Understanding Pain Better
    • Laughter
    • Sleep
    • Nutrition and Persistent Pain
    • Connective Tissue Dysfunction
    • What Are My Myofascial Tender Points?
    • Self-Treatment Techniques for Foam Rolling
    • Pain Education in a Nutshell
    • Catastrophization
  • Pudendal Nerve Irritation
    • Pudendal Nerve Irritation
    • Pelvic Tissue Dysfunction
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Tightness
    • Deep Breathing Exercises
    • Reverse Kegels (Pelvic Floor Drops)
    • Sensitive Nervous System
    • Types of Pain
    • Understanding Pain Better
    • Laughter
    • Sleep
    • Nutrition and Persistent Pain
    • Connective Tissue Dysfunction
    • What Are My Myofascial Tender Points?
    • Self-Treatment Techniques for Foam Rolling
    • Pain Education in a Nutshell
    • Catastrophization
  • Pregnancy
    • Pregnancy
    • Postpartum
    • Breastfeeding
  • Rectus Diastasis
    • Diastasis
  • Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP)
    • Pelvic Girdle Pain
  • Tailbone (Coccyx) Pain
    • Tailbone (Coccyx) Pain
    • Pelvic Tissue Dysfunction
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Tightness
    • Deep Breathing Exercises
    • Reverse Kegels (Pelvic Floor Drops)
    • Sensitive Nervous System
    • Types of Pain
    • Understanding Pain Better
    • Sleep
    • Connective Tissue Dysfunction
    • What Are My Myofascial Tender Points?
    • Pain Education in a Nutshell
    • Catastrophization
  • Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD)
    • Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD)
    • Pelvic Tissue Dysfunction
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Tightness
    • Deep Breathing Exercises
    • Reverse Kegels (Pelvic Floor Drops)
    • Sensitive Nervous System
    • Types of Pain
    • Understanding Pain Better
    • Sleep
    • Connective Tissue Dysfunction
    • What Are My Myofascial Tender Points?
    • Pain Education in a Nutshell
    • Catastrophization
  • Menopause
    • Menopause
    • Vulvar Care
    • Lubricants and Moisturizers
    • Dyspareunia
  • Lubricants vs Moisturizers
    • Lubricants and Moisturizers
  • Chronic Non-Bacterial Prostatitis
    • Chronic Nonbacterial Prostatitis
    • Bladder Irritants
    • Pelvic Tissue Dysfunction
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Tightness
    • Deep Breathing Exercises
    • Reverse Kegels (Pelvic Floor Drops)
    • Sensitive Nervous System
    • Types of Pain
    • Understanding Pain Better
    • Laughter
    • Sleep
    • Nutrition and Persistent Pain
    • Connective Tissue Dysfunction
    • What Are My Myofascial Tender Points?
    • Self-Treatment Techniques for Foam Rolling
    • Pain Education in a Nutshell
    • Catastrophization
  • Prostatectomy
    • Prostatectomy
  • Paediatrics Pelvic Health
    • Pediatric Pelvic Physiotherapy
  • Transition Related Surgeries
    • Ways a Physiotherapist Can Help With Preparation and Rehabilitation for Transition-Related Surgeries
  • Preparing for Pelvic Surgery
    • Preparing for Pelvic Surgery
  • Post Pelvic Cancer Rehab
    • Post Pelvic Cancer Rehab
  • Post Breast Surgery Rehab
    • Articles coming soon
  • Lichen Simplex, Sclerosis, and Planus
    • Lichen Simplex, Sclerosis, and Planus
    • Accommodators and Dilators
    • Lubricants and Moisturizers
    • Vulvar Care
    • Pelvic Tissue Dysfunction
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Tightness
    • Deep Breathing Exercises
    • Reverse Kegels (Pelvic Floor Drops)
    • Sensitive Nervous System
    • Types of Pain
    • Understanding Pain Better
    • Laughter
    • Sleep
    • Nutrition and Persistent Pain
    • Connective Tissue Dysfunction
    • What Are My Myofascial Tender Points?
    • Pain Education in a Nutshell
    • Catastrophization
  • Breastfeeding
    • Breastfeeding
  • Share:
PHS Team
Course Instructor is a member of the PHS Team or online course. Please see full course description

Previous post

Diastasis
September 19, 2019

Next post

Tailbone (Coccyx) Pain
September 19, 2019

You may also like

test
12 August, 2020

test

Looking for a job in pelvic health?

Visit our Job Search page and see who's hiring pelvic floor Physiotherapists in your area!

Learn More

Disclaimer

The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by Pelvic Health Solutions Inc. and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, including any warranty of merchantability or about the fitness, completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, or services contained on the website for any particular purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking treatment because of something you have read in this educational material.
In no event will Pelvic Health Solutions Inc., its associates, affiliates, partners, suppliers, licensors, and clients, and each of their directors, officers, employees, agents and shareholders be liable to you or any third party for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or exemplary damages of any kind, including without limitation, damages arising from illness, injury, death, or any loss of profits, goodwill, use, data or other intangible loss  arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website (even if Pelvic Health Solutions Inc. has been advised of the possibility thereof).
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of Pelvic Health Solutions Inc. We have no control over the nature, content or availability of those sites, which sites shall be governed by their own terms of use and subject to their own disclaimers. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, Pelvic Health Solutions Inc. takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues either within or beyond our control.

© 2019 Pelvic Health Solutions | All Rights Reserved.

The Pelvic Health Solutions website and continuing education courses may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the copyright owners.

website design by 416Media.com