Pelvic girdle pain - osteopath, chiropractor or physio?

[MrsLL2b]

I am 26 weeks pregnant with my second child and I think due to lugging around my toddler I have started to develop quite bad PGP and want to get it seen to before it gets too bad. (have stopped all toddler carrying!)

I do have an appt with the GP on tues to get a referral to a physio but due to waiting times I'm assuming I'll have to pay for some private sessions. Just wondered if I am paying anyway then would a chiropractor or osteopath be better than a physio or does it not really matter?

Not based near ED anymore so no need to specific recommendations just unsure which specialist to go for.

Thanks.

[simonethebeaver]

I think the most important thing is that they specialise in women's health. (My greatest sympathies by the way. It's horrible.)

If you call the lovely people at the Pelvic Partnership, they have a list of people who have been recommended across the country. Their website is very helpful too.

The most specialised osteopath in the country is Quentin Shaw in Tunbridge Wells. If you're anywhere near him, it's worth the trip.

[mima08]

Hiya, I had very bad PGP towards the end of my pregnancy - could hardly walk. I saw the Dulwich Chiropractic Clinic, they have lots of experience with pregnant ladies and sorted me out within 2 appointments, plus one top up. Very helpful, when I explained the problem they fitted me in as an emergency appt.

link to details: http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/directory/1855/65275.php

Good luck, hope it gets better soon!

mx

[etta166]

I had really good treatment from the King's physio in my second pregnancy. Because it's such a short lived condition (i.e. pregnancy only) they usually see you really quickly after you get referred. I don't think that I waited more than a week or so.

Your midwife can also give lots of practical advice to minimise the pain day to day.

[ludoscotts]

hi I had the same, until you get your appointment try to not lift anything heavy.

when you stand up do this slowly rather than springing up out of your chair.

sleep with a pillow or cushion between your knees to keep them same space apart as your hips(or as much as possible) and when you get out of bed keep your knees together and swing legs out of bed then sit up.

these pointers really helped me plus the added exercises I was given at appointment.

it is horrible but it does go as soon as you give birth! I was given a crutch to use which really helped take the pressure off too.

good luck,

[chantelle]

I got great relief from an osteopath. The physio at Kings was really no help at all, but everyone is different it seems. I also had to wait 16 weeks for the Kings appointment, after requesting it at 14 weeks pg!

[MrsLL2b]

Hi all,

That's great. My appt is with the GP rather than the midwife as the receptionist didn't think the mw could make referrals. But it might be worth seeing the mw again anyway.

I'll see what they say about waiting times for the Nhs physio and if it is long I'll try private. I have emailed the pelvic partnership to ask if they can recommend anyone near me (based in Cheshire now. It would be great if it just takes 1 or 2 sessions to sort out.

Thanks for the tips.

[rachelnathania]

Go here - http://occ.uk.com/

It is amazing. I had such bad SPD with my pregnancy that I could barely walk at all. I was in constant pain, day and night. The physio at Kings actually made it worse (I could hardly believe that was possible!). I finally went to this place in desperation. I was / am totally sceptical about all types of alternative medicine but this was recommended to me by a friend and I just couldn't believe the difference after just one session. On the way there I was shuffling along the street like a 90 year old - when I left I actually ran for the bus! I cannot recommend it highly enough.

[MrsLL2b]

Thanks Rachel but not based in London anymore. (EDF is a hard habit to drop!)

I spoke to the pelvic partnership today and they seemed to think it doesn't matter so much if it is physio, chirp or osteo as long as they specialise in women's health/pregnancy issues. So I found a local physio today that only treats women and specialises in PGP so fingers crossed it will work.

Thanks again.

[lucyA1308]

hello, yes, I also had this at about 24 weeks with my 2nd pregnancy. A friend was a physio, and I was seeing her anyway that weekend, which was lucky as I don;t think I could have waited any longer.

She told me not to cross my legs when sitting, as that pulls the hips apart more, but when sitting, find a chair, which is firm enough, or the floor, and to try doing lotus style position. This is to try to fuse the pelvis back together again.

It worked in a few days, and I was back to nearly normal (as normal as a 24 week preggers lady can be)

Hope you get better soon.

[MrsLL2b]

Thanks Lucy, that's great. I keep unconsciously crossing my legs and then realising it is probably not helping. I have definitely found sitting in a lotus style comfy but again was worried it could be doing more damage.

I have my physio appointment tonight so hopefully I will get lots of tips.