One of the common complaints we hear from pregnant women at Rice Family Chiropractic has to do with pelvic pain, otherwise known as SPD or symphysis pubis dysfunction. For a variety of reasons including increased maternal age and increased diagnosis, this problem has become more common in recent years. Today, at least thirty percent of pregnant women report experiencing some level of SPD at some point during their pregnancy, while seven percent continue to experience pain post-partum.

The cause of SPD is fairly straightforward: During pregnancy, the body releases more of the hormone relaxin, which is responsible for making the ligaments, cartilage and other soft tissues more pliable prior to childbirth. The gap between the bones of the pubic symphysis, which are connected by a joint made of cartilage, increases from 4 to 5 mm to 6 to 8 mm, leading to excessive movement of these bones at the point where they meet in the forward part of the pelvis. This in turn may lead to pain in the pelvis, lower back and sacroiliac.

The symptoms of symphysis pubis dysfunction are usually described as “shooting pain” that radiates from the pubic symphysis area toward the lower back, abdomen and upper leg. Women may also experience increased pain while walking, leading to a waddling gait and even some swelling in the pubic region.

While the pain is often quite mild, many women do experience severe and debilitating symptoms which interfere with normal day-to-day activities such as standing from a seated position, lifting legs and bending over.

A report written in The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association suggested that careful chiropractic care can help mitigate the symptoms of SPD caused by pregnancy, including an increase in mobility and improved function.

Dr. Emily R. Howell of Ashbridge’s Health Center in Toronto studied the cases of two women, both 30 weeks pregnant and in their thirties, who reported severe pain in the lower back and sacroiliac pain caused by SPD. Both women received conservative chiropractic treatment.  The chiropractors utilized pelvic blocks, support belts, side-lying mobilizations and instrument-assisted adjustments to the pubic symphysis, in addition to soft tissue therapy.

Additional exercises were also assigned to the patients, which they practiced at home. These included stretches and pelvic floor exercises, light exercise and motion, as well as keeping a pillow between the knees while sleeping. Other exercises were assigned for postpartum practice, which were designed to improve muscular function and strength, and to increase pelvic stability.

The results of these chiropractic efforts were positive, with both women reporting relief from pain during treatment and home exercises. In the long run, both patients were found to have reduced or eliminated pain from SPD, with one women reporting some low back pain caused by a subsequent injury.

At Rice Family Chiropractic, we treat women experiencing SPD as well as women who are pain-free during their pregnancy. Chiropractic care is proven to be a safe and effective treatment for reducing or eliminating symptoms such as pelvic pain during pregnancy. Best of all, chiropractic treatment is drug-free!

As chiropractors, our goal at Rice Family Chiropractic is to help patients in need of treatment; however, the ultimate goal of chiropractic care is for each of our patients to achieve the best spinal health possible through holistic and natural means. To make this happen, we encourage all our patients to listen to their body in all its complexities, from your first trimester to your last trimester and also as your child grows. As always, we hope you’ll call or visit us if you have any questions about this or other aspects of your spinal health.