Pelvic Girdle Pain
What does pelvic pain refer to?
The pelvis consists of your 2 innominate bones (a fusion of the ileum, ischium, and pubis), their connections with each other, and their connection to your sacrum.
There are 3 joints that make up the pelvis:
- 2 sacroiliac joints (SIJ): where the right and left ileum and the sacrum connect
- 1 pubic symphysis joint (PSJ): where the pubic bones connect
Common pelvic pain locations can include:
- Pain to the outer back hip region below the arch of the low back (SIJ)
- Pain to the pubic bone and inner thigh (PSJ)
When should i seek physical therapy?
When the pelvic pain impacts the activities you enjoy doing, it's time to consider physical therapy to help guide and facilitate healing.
Pelvic pain is typically intermittent (for most individuals) and is aggravated by daily movements such as:
- Decreased walking velocity
- Navigating up and down the stairs
- Transfers such as getting out of a car or rolling over in bed
what if my hips and low back are also involved?
Rarely it it "just" SIJ pain. In many causes, the low back and hip are involved and are either influencing or influenced by the SIJ.
Having a therapist that is comfortable with both orthopedic and pelvic floor allows for the appropriate differential diagnosis and a comprehensive treatment plan.
When should my therapist refer back to my doctor?
Sometimes the pain refers from an organ in the body, known as visceral pain. This could be from the appendix, kidneys, intestines, urinary tract, or reproductive organs. Your therapist can help tease out what pain is coming from muscle, joint, or nerve, and what pain is coming from other organs. If organ pain is suspected, a referral back to your medical team may be recommended. Your therapist may also recommend, visceral mobilization therapy to address these needs.