Sunbury Physiotherapy Centre

With the anticipation of a new addition to the family, pregnancy can be one of the most exciting times in a woman’s life.However, for some women the aches and pains that are sometimes associated with pregnancy can be quite debilitating, and leave them with a not so positive outlook on their experience.

The female body needs to undergo many changes to accommodate a growing baby, and also to prepare for labour and delivery. A side effect of these changes can be undue stress on the low back and pelvic region leading to pain. This can present as low back pain, pain over the hip or buttock area, or pain at the pubic symphysis joint located centrally at the front of the pelvis. Leg symptoms can also be present. This can make some of your daily activities difficult to perform, especially if they involve caring for other children. Some of the changes contributing to this include:

• Hormonal changes: This causes a loosening effect on the pelvic ligaments to allow extra room for the growth of the baby, and its passage through the pelvis during labour. In some cases the effect is over-pronounced, leading to instability in the joints.
• Changes in posture: exaggeration of the natural S-shaped curvature of the lower spine can put extra stress on the joints of the back
• Stretching of abdominal muscles: This has a weakening effect on the muscles which compromises the support that they normally provide to the back and pelvis.

How can we help?

If back pain and/or pelvic pain are an issue in your pregnancy, you may require a physiotherapy assessment. Physiotherapists can help put the positive back into your pregnancy by:

• Employing treatment techniques to help alleviate pain

• Instructing on activity modification to decrease the stresses on muscles and joints.

• Teaching exercises to help increase the strength and stability of the spine and pelvis. Specific stomach muscles exercises (-not crunches or sit ups)

• Advising on the effectiveness of supportive devices