Pain and injury related to Pregnancy and Post birth

Pregnancy is a unique and special time for a woman as she watches her body change and becomes aware of the child that grows inside her. For most women, pregnancy and childbirth is a positive experience, and the bodily changes occur without pain or dysfunction in the body.  However for some women, the hormonal changes that occur during and after pregnancy, or the strain of childbirth itself, can create dysfunction in the low back, pelvis, or rib cage that leaves the mother struggling to cope with looking after their newborn.

The physiotherapists at Sydney Spine and Pelvis Centre have particular expertise in treatment of injuries related to pregnancy, including

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Picture created by Alexander Tsiaras, 2003

Pelvic Girdle Pain and loss of lumbo-pelvic stability related to Pregnancy

It is normal for the womans' hormones to change during pregnancy in anticipation of a natural birth, and it is not uncommon for pregnant women to notice a feeling of increased movement in the pelvic joints (the pubic symphysis and / or the sacroiliac joints] at the times when the relaxin levels are high. This is because this hormone, in conjunction with progesterone, increases the water holding capacity of the ligaments surrounding these joints which in turn means increased joint mobility. Movement at these joints is normally very small, but the relative increase in mobility can become irritating and produce pain and inflammation.

There are a couple of ways to lessen the effect of increased pelvic mobility during pregnancy:

  1. A sacroiliac or pelvic belt:
  2. Specific training of pelvic floor, transverse abdominis (deep tummy muscles) and multifidus (deep back) muscles. Research has shown that there are muscles deep within the abdomen and pelvis that help to support the pubic symphysis and sacroiliac joints and these muscles can be retrained to improve pelvic stability.

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Occasionally the extra mobility at the pubic symphysis and sacroiliac joint can leave the pelvic joints vulnerable to injury, such as might occur from a fall, slipping or lifting. This can result in low back, pelvic, and/or buttock pain that are often made worse with sitting, standing, and bending. This injury requires specific treatment. At Sydney Spine & Pelvis Centre we combine specific assessment of the lumbo-pelvic region and treatment with muscle energy techniques, myo-fascial releases and specific lumbo-pelvic stability exercises to restore normal pelvic function and ease pain.

Low back and Pelvic pain following child birth

After child birth the deep tummy and pelvic floor muscles are hard to turn on, and their activation is often less effective than normal, due to the birthing process or caesarian section. This means that without specific retraining of these muscles after child birth, a womans low back and pelvic area may not have sufficient stability to co pe with the loads put onto it when walking, lifting her child, sitting or exercising. She may develop a number of symptoms:

  • Low back or pelvic pain, or leg pain
  • Pain at the pubic symphysis or groin with walking or lifting
  • Urinary incontinence (either stress or urgency incontinence)
  • difficulty getting the abdominal or pelvic floor muscles to turn on

Neck and upper back pain

Neck pain and upper back pain commonly occur after childbirth due to

  • increased breast weight and poor posture during breastfeeding
  • repetitive lifting and carrying of the new baby
  • strain on the thoracic spine and rib cage as the child grows

At Sydney Spine and Pelvis Centre we assess the neck and thoracic spine, and the rib cage to determine the most appropriate treatment protocol and exercise regime.

The physiotherapists at Sydney Spine and Pelvis Centre have a particular interest in helping women through their pregnancy, and post birth, particularly in relation to low back pain, pubic pain, pelvic or sacroiliac symptoms, sciatica, and the effects of childbirth on lumbo-pelvic muscle activation including the pelvic floor. We take an hour for our initial assessment in order to fully assess your problem and determine the best way we can help, whether that is muscle retraining, exercise therapy, or manual treatment. If you require further information about the treatment we provide or specific exercise rehabilitation please call us at

Sydney Spine & Pelvis Physiotherapy Centre  tel: 02-97199114, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.