Pregnancy and the Pelvis: Strategies for Sacroiliac Joint Pain Relief
Sacroiliac Joint Pain in Pregnancy: Causes, Symptoms, and Relief
Sacroiliac joint pain is a common discomfort experienced by many pregnant women. The sacroiliac joints (SI joints) are located at the base of your spine, where the sacrum (the triangular bone at the bottom of the spine) meets the iliac bones (the two large bones of the pelvis). During pregnancy, changes in your body can cause these joints to become inflamed or misaligned, leading to pain and discomfort. In this blog, we’ll explore what sacroiliac joint pain is, its causes in pregnancy, symptoms, ways to self-relieve the pain, and how osteopathic treatment can provide effective support.
What Is Sacroiliac Joint Pain?
Sacroiliac joint pain refers to discomfort that arises in the SI joints. These joints are responsible for connecting the spine to the pelvis, and they play a crucial role in stabilizing the body. During pregnancy, several factors can strain or misalign these joints, resulting in pain in the lower back, hips, and pelvis.
Causes of Sacroiliac Joint Pain in Pregnancy
Sacroiliac joint pain in pregnancy is often due to a combination of hormonal and physical changes, including:
Hormonal Changes: Increased levels of relaxin, a hormone that helps loosen ligaments and prepare the body for childbirth, can make the SI joints more mobile and prone to misalignment. While this is necessary for childbirth, it can lead to discomfort during pregnancy.
Postural Changes: As your baby grows, the weight distribution in your body shifts, putting extra pressure on your lower back and pelvis. This added strain can affect the SI joints.
Pelvic Instability: The body’s increasing production of relaxin can also cause pelvic instability, which places more stress on the SI joints, leading to pain.
Increased Weight Gain: As your pregnancy progresses, the extra weight places additional stress on the pelvis and SI joints, often resulting in inflammation and discomfort.
Increased Lordosis: As your belly grows, your posture naturally shifts. This change, known as lordosis, causes an exaggerated curve in your lower back, which can lead to strain on the SI joints.
Symptoms of Sacroiliac Joint Pain in Pregnancy
The symptoms of SI joint pain can vary from person to person, but common signs include:
Pain in the lower back, often on one side.
Pain in the hips, groin, or pelvis.
A sharp, stabbing sensation, especially when changing positions, such as getting out of bed or standing up.
Pain when climbing stairs or walking for extended periods.
Tenderness or a feeling of instability in the lower back or pelvis.
Radiating pain down the leg, similar to sciatica (in some cases).
Ways to Self-Relieve Sacroiliac Joint Pain in Pregnancy
While SI joint pain can be uncomfortable, there are several ways to relieve the discomfort on your own:
Maintain Good Posture: Keeping your spine aligned and avoiding slouching can reduce strain on the SI joints. Sit with your back straight and avoid standing for long periods.
Use Proper Body Mechanics: When bending or lifting, use your legs, not your back. Squat down instead of bending forward, and avoid twisting your spine.
Apply Heat or Cold Therapy: Using a heating pad or cold compress on the lower back can help reduce inflammation and ease pain. Alternate between heat and cold for the best results.
Pelvic Support: A maternity belt or SI joint belt can provide support for your pelvis, reducing pain and improving stability.
Gentle Stretching and Exercises: Incorporate stretches to improve the flexibility and strength of the muscles surrounding the SI joints. Yoga and pelvic tilts can help strengthen the muscles supporting your lower back and pelvis.
Rest and Relax: Take frequent breaks throughout the day to rest your back. Lying on your side with a pillow between your knees can help relieve pressure on the SI joints while sleeping.
How Osteopathic Treatment Can Help Sacroiliac Joint Pain in pregnancy
Osteopathic treatment offers a safe and effective approach to managing sacroiliac joint pain during pregnancy. Osteopathy focuses on the whole body, aiming to improve alignment, restore function, and reduce discomfort. For pregnant women experiencing SI joint pain, osteopathic techniques can be incredibly beneficial.
Gentle Manipulative Techniques:
Osteopaths use gentle, non-invasive manipulative techniques to release tension and correct misalignments in the SI joints. This helps restore proper function and reduce pain. The osteopath will work to realign the pelvis and spine, which can help relieve the pressure causing discomfort.Improving Pelvic Stability:
Osteopathic treatment helps improve pelvic stability by addressing the underlying causes of instability, such as muscle tightness, postural changes, or ligament strain. This reduces the strain on the SI joints and provides long-term relief.Reducing Inflammation and Tension:
Osteopathy can help reduce inflammation around the SI joints through techniques that promote better blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. This can alleviate pain and swelling in the affected areas.Enhancing Mobility:
An osteopath will assess the movement of your joints and soft tissues, ensuring that the pelvis and lower back are functioning optimally. Improving the mobility of these areas can reduce pain and prevent stiffness in the SI joints.Postural Advice and Exercise:
Osteopaths provide tailored advice on how to maintain proper posture throughout pregnancy, reducing strain on the SI joints. They may also recommend specific exercises and stretches to strengthen the muscles around the pelvis, helping to prevent further pain.
Osteopathic care during pregnancy is entirely safe and focuses on providing relief in a gentle, non-invasive way. By addressing the root cause of sacroiliac joint pain, osteopathy can help restore balance to the body, improve comfort, and promote better alignment throughout pregnancy. Osteopathic treatment is a safe, effective form of hands-on, physical therapy that can help pregnant women suffering with pelvic girdle pain at any stage of pregnancy. Most women experience pelvic girdle pain in the third trimester but unfortunately (especially if this is not a first pregnancy) this pain can start much earlier. Osteopathic treatment checks the alignment of the pelvis, increases the mobility of the pubic and sacroiliac joints and their function with the lumbar spine and hips. Treatment also addresses any tight muscles and ligaments placing strain on those joints. Sarah specialises in pelvic pain in pregnancy and also addresses the entire body, helping the body adapt to pregnancy and making women as comfortable as possible in pregnancy.
When to Seek Professional Help
If your sacroiliac joint pain is persistent, severe, or affecting your daily life, it’s important to consult with your healthcare provider or an osteopath for further assessment and care.
Feel Supported Through Your Pregnancy
At Sarah Boughtwood Osteopath, we specialize in providing safe and effective osteopathic care tailored to pregnant women. With years of experience and a focus on comfort and well-being, Sarah offers personalized treatment for sacroiliac joint pain and other pregnancy-related discomforts.
