Pelvic/Pubic Symphysis Dysfunction

I experienced that after my pregnancy (my first, and so far, my only). I felt it only when I started exercising again and would exercise my abs At the recommendation of a postpartum exercise trainer, I saw a chiropractor, and the adjustments helped a lot. I would confirm that the chiropractor has treated this before. My chiropractor has a special certification in prenatal/maternal and pediatric care, so this is a specialty of hers. Good luck!

See if there is a Bowen practitioner in your area.

www.bowenwork.com

Hi L.,

I feel your pain. I was diagnosed with pubic symphysis separation after the birth of my daughter and I also couldn't lift my legs (pants, stairs, getting into the bathtub or car - all pretty near impossible) for about 5 months. It was about 7 or 8 months postpartum before I wasn't in some amount of discomfort (although nothing like the first few months). The bad news is there's not a lot you can do to speed recovery except limit your activity and pop motrin. Oh! and get a brace. My OB prescribed one for me and it definitely helped.

Once you feel up to it, you can do physical therapy to help get your strength back but it doesn't do much for the healing - the bones just have to grow back together. The good news is you will eventually feel better and go back to normal.

As for sleeping - I think it helped me to put pillows between my legs? My baby wasn't much of a sleeper so between the PSS and her...those months are a little foggy.

Again, I'm so sorry you have to go through this. Good luck and congrats on your new baby!

I would highly suggest visiting your chiropractor. They are trained at dealing with "dysfunction" within the musculo-skeletal system... which is exactly what you have. If you are near a large city, I would recommend going to the ICPA website to locate a doctor who see's alot of pregnant women regularly: http://www.icpa4kids.com/locator/index.htm
Not that your chiro down the street can't handle your situation - because they CAN - but a peds chiro is more likely to deal with pregnant patients on a DAILY basis. Good luck!

I also had that disabling pain in my upper inner thigh while I was pregnant with my first (but luckily didn't happen w/ my second). I found stretching helpful (I used to do a lot of yoga so I knew which positions would target the areas I needed). So I think a physical therapist would definitely be able to help you. Chiropractors are good but should be accompanied by someone who specializes in soft tissue/ muscular issues (i.e. massage therapist) because chiros usually only target the skeletal system which can fall back out of place easier if the muscles are not also dealt with. Therefore, physical therapy is the best way to start. Then I would look to a chiropractor if there is lingering pain. Hope you get better soon!

Hi L.,

I'm sorry to hear the pain you're in. This situation is not uncommon. I experienced pubic symphysis dysfunction after my first pregnancy and it was very uncomfortable.

The pubic bone is really two pieces of cartilage that fit together like two puzzle pieces. During pregnancy, for some women like you and me, those two pieces of cartilage separate due to reasons such as the hormone relaxin (as you know), the weight of the baby causing too much pressure, in delivery, and some forms of exersice during pregnancy which wasn't properly modified.

As a person who works with pregnant women I recommend you go see a physical
therapist who works with prenatal and postpartum issues. They will give you specific exercises to support the healing process as well as ease your discomfort. I don't think a chiropractor is the person to see at this point, though I go regularly for tune ups myself.

Do this soon so you can feel better and enjoy your children! If you need a recommendation please don't hesitate to contact me.

S. Caesar, MA
Founder
Maternal Dance/Rhythm For Life
____@____.com

I had the same thing and it was AWFUL. The only thing that helped was seeing a chiropractor who was experienced in treating pregnant women. It gave me so much relief, and I think it actually made my delivery go smoothly (I had a wonderful, active, and completely drug-free delivery--hurt like heck, but went VERY smoothly!).

Wow! I'm so amazed to read your email! I think I had the same thing, but no one diagnosed it. I experienced it as great pain walking, and yes - a chiro really helped me, although it was temporary. Another thing that really helped was a maternity girdle. Good luck finding that in this day and age, though. (My pregnancies were 20 yrs ago and I had trouble then!) It didn't affect the stomach area, it just helped to keep the pelvic area together.

If it's any comfort, it gradually went away, although I still need to be careful doing side leg lifts when I exercise.

A.

Dr. Alfred Davis ###-###-#### call for appointment to assess
located in Montclair, New Jersey.

I would see a physical therapist (PT) who specilaizes in pregnancy/postpartum/pelvic floor. PT will focus on the tender areas and re-setting the pubic bone and then re-strengthening you. You probably have core weakness including pelvic floor. A pelvic floor specialist, like myself, can do this type of assessment. You need to avoid certain movements and you may need a support belt. You can look at my website to see the type of PT you want to search:
www.coredynamicspt.com

good luck!
N.

There are physical therapists who specialize in pregnancy and post partum issues.

L.--

I know what you're going through! I had some pubic symphysis pain in my mid-late pregnancy but started seeing Isa Herrera at Renew Physical Therapy (in midtown) and she worked on all my troubled areas and thankfully got rid of it AND my sciatica before I gave birth to my daughter 3 months ago. She specializes in pre/post-partum issues as well as rebuilding the pelvic floor. I have been recommending her to all my pregnant and 'post-pregnant' friends. You can check out her website here--> www.renew-pt.com

I suffered from the same thing during my first pregnancy. It lasted for a long time after delivery. I was in lots of pain prior to delivery. Afterwards it eased up a tad slowly over time. I would get flare ups. I changes my walking and sitting and dressing, etc. I know that I eventually took Motrin but the baby was about 9 or so months old by that time. I didn't have many flares up after the Motrin. I don't quite remember if I did anything else. My doc kept suggesting acupuncture or even steroid injections. I was afraid of the needles and didn't try either option. I'm sorry if I didn't offer too many useful suggestions. I feel your pain. Good luck and hopefully it will improve with whatever you decide to do!

I've never experienced this but it sounds so uncomfortable, and I hope you find relief quickly. I only wanted to suggest that if it's hormone related, perhaps a visit with an endocrinologist would be a good idea-I'm sure your OB or primary care doc can refer you to someone good. Maybe there's a way to counteract the hormone causing it, rather than just treating the symptoms (the pain). Whatever you do, good luck!