February has seen an influx in guests arriving at Indigo Spring with Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) in Pregnancy. This debilitating condition causes restricted mobility and pain and discomfort in areas such as lower back, hips, thighs and pubic area. PGP is an umbrella term which covers pubic pain ( formally called symphysis pubic disfunction SPD) and all pains from lumbars spine down to the thighs either localised at the front or back.
WHAT CAUSES PGP?
Pregnancy causes the body to release a hormone called relaxin which softens the ligaments in the pelvis. To enable the baby to be born naturally. Sometimes this allow the joints at the front (symphysis Pubis) and at the back (sacroiliac joints) to become too mobile and the bones begin to rub together and trap nerves.
PGP can occur when people who in pre- pregnancy are very flexible such as dancers and gymnasts, it is also caused by a weaker pelvic floor or the extra weight of the baby.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
PGP can also be accompanied by a weak bladder, a waddling walk or clicking or grinding.
The key symptoms are groin pain when: Walking, turning over in bed, weight bearing on one leg, getting in and out of the car, moving leg sideways.
HOW CAN I TREAT PGP?
Massage relieves the pain of PGP and is helpful from the onset. Direct massage of the sacroiliac joints and the lumbar spine make a significant improvement.
Firm massage to the hip flexors and sciatic nerves relieves pain and is possible to do at home.
Take a firm ball (eg tennis ball) and place under hip.
Roll your weight over the ball until you find the trigger point ( maximum pain).
Breathe in.
As you breathe out apply pressure to the trigger point.
Roll off slightly as you inhale.
Repeat 3 times.
Another effective treatment for PGP – particularly at the symphysis pubis is the use of sound therapy. At Indigo Spring we use the Peter Hess Singing Bowl technique for vibrational medicine. The vibration of the bowl, placed on the painful joint, is able to travel deep into the bone and disappate the pain through the circulatory system of the body.
CAN YOU HELP?
Yes Indigo Spring is ready for your call. This is a really painful and common condition in pregnancy. Whilst painkillers will block some of the pain, Massage will help to dissapate the pain.
Come and visit for your free consultation. 07900900313