Symphysis pubis dysfunction... years after pregnancy

[Janie Grace]

I had SPD badly in my last pregnancy. It has been three years since I had the baby and sometimes my pubic bone STILL hurts! Does anyone else have this issue? I have gone to some PT and massage, and it doesn't really help. I also find that the bottom of my spine near my tailbone pops/cracks in a way it never did before. Does having a baby sometimes just alter your body and you just deal with it... or do you think this is a problem I should try to get addressed? (This was babe #5 and is our last.)

[EthiopianFood]

Have you tried pelvic tilts?

[VeganCupcake]

I think you should try Katy Bowman's stuff--she is a biomechanist who works especially with pelvic issues, birth and pregnancy-related stuff. I have an SI joint problem and I've had great luck with her No More Kegels online course. (It doesn't just address the stuff that Kegels usually are used for, like incontinence--it's much more than that.) She has lots of free content on her blog, too, if you want to get a feel for her work first.

 

Basically, she advocates good alignment, lots of stretching to restore muscles and joints to their normal state, and lots of walking to strengthen and maintain.

[VeganCupcake]

I think you should try Katy Bowman's stuff--she is a biomechanist who works especially with pelvic issues, birth and pregnancy-related stuff. I have an SI joint problem and I've had great luck with her No More Kegels online course. (It doesn't just address the stuff that Kegels usually are used for, like incontinence--it's much more than that.) She has lots of free content on her blog, too, if you want to get a feel for her work first.

 

Basically, she advocates good alignment, lots of stretching to restore muscles and joints to their normal state, and lots of walking to strengthen and maintain.

[myfunnybunch]

Have you tried a chiropractor?

 

I had the same after my youngest was born, along with problems with my sacral joint, where the hips and spine join. I finally went to a chiropractor. He adjusted my sacral joint once, and it pulled my pelvis back into aligment. The key was finding a good chiropractor. He believed in gentle manipulation, and said that all of the "spectacularly dramatic" (his words) popping and cracking wasn't always necessary, especially in that area.

 

Cat

[Momof3littles]

DId you a PT with experience in women's health specifically? I would try a different PT.

 

You can search for one in your area here: http://www.womenshea...ist/index.cfm�� although that list is not comprehensive. If you don't see someone in your area, you can try calling outpatient practices to see if they have someone experienced in women's health issues.

 

DId they teach you things like how to get dressed, get in and out of bed, etc. while minimizing strain on the pubic symphysis region the last time? Those things can really impact you if you already have laxity in the ligaments of that area.

[Janie Grace]

Have you tried pelvic tilts?

 

 

Oh yes. Lots.

[Janie Grace]

I think you should try Katy Bowman's stuff--she is a biomechanist who works especially with pelvic issues, birth and pregnancy-related stuff. I have an SI joint problem and I've had great luck with her No More Kegelsonline course. (It doesn't just address the stuff that Kegels usually are used for, like incontinence--it's much more than that.) She has lots of free content on her blog, too, if you want to get a feel for her work first.

 

Basically, she advocates good alignment, lots of stretching to restore muscles and joints to their normal state, and lots of walking to strengthen and maintain.

 

 

Thank you so much! I will check it out! She sounds great. I have noticed that when I'm walking regularly, I have a lot less pain. That has been hard with the cold weather, but I probably need to do it anyway.

[Janie Grace]

Have you tried a chiropractor?

 

I had the same after my youngest was born, along with problems with my sacral joint, where the hips and spine join. I finally went to a chiropractor. He adjusted my sacral joint once, and it pulled my pelvis back into aligment. The key was finding a good chiropractor. He believed in gentle manipulation, and said that all of the "spectacularly dramatic" (his words) popping and cracking wasn't always necessary, especially in that area.

 

Cat

 

 

I have wondered about this. It really does feel like something is out of whack. I'm just scared... I associate chiros with the "spectacularly dramatic" stuff -- and having to keep going forever! I need to ask around, I'm sure they aren't all that way.

[Janie Grace]

DId you a PT with experience in women's health specifically? I would try a different PT.

 

You can search for one in your area here: http://www.womenshea...ist/index.cfm�� although that list is not comprehensive. If you don't see someone in your area, you can try calling outpatient practices to see if they have someone experienced in women's health issues.

 

DId they teach you things like how to get dressed, get in and out of bed, etc. while minimizing strain on the pubic symphysis region the last time? Those things can really impact you if you already have laxity in the ligaments of that area.

 

 

Yes, the woman I saw specialized in pelvic issues. She just wanted me to Kegel a ton, with a few other exercises. But it really didn't help.

 

When I was pregnant, yes -- I learned about how to walk, get into/out of bed/cars, etc. I was only doing stairs once a day.

[myfunnybunch]

 

I have wondered about this. It really does feel like something is out of whack. I'm just scared... I associate chiros with the "spectacularly dramatic" stuff -- and having to keep going forever! I need to ask around, I'm sure they aren't all that way.

 

Ask around for recommendations, and don't be afraid to call and ask questions or to interview about the chiropractor's philosophy.

 

I only had to go one time. His advice for whether I needed to return was basically, "If it happens again, don't put up with it for a year. If you're in pain for more than three days without it resolving, come see me."

 

Cat