Why Are We Ignoring This In Pregnancy? The Truth About Pelvic Girdle Pain

Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) affects between 20% and 50% of pregnant individuals, with up to 25% experiencing severe pain that impacts daily life (Vleeming et al., 2008). Yet despite its prevalence, PPGP is often underdiagnosed or dismissed as a "normal" pregnancy symptom, leaving many women without the care they need.In this episode, we explore:- The real causes of PPGP and why it persists in some women postpartum.- How underdiagnosis and misinformation contribute to unnecessary suffering.- What healthcare professionals should be doing differently to support pregnant individualsReferenced Research:General Overview & Prevalence of PPGP:- Vleeming, A., et al. (2008). European guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic girdle pain. European Spine Journal.- Wu, W. H., et al. (2008). Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPP), I: Terminology, clinical presentation, and prevalence. European Spine Journal.- Mogren, I. M., & Pohjanen, A. I. (2005). Low back pain and pelvic pain during pregnancy: Prevalence and risk factors. Spine.Functional Impact of PPGP:- Robinson, H. S., et al. (2010). Pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy: The impact on function. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica.- Gutke, A., Ostgaard, H. C., & Oberg, B. (2010). Pelvic girdle pain and lumbar pain in pregnancy: A cohort study of the consequences in terms of health and functioning. Spine.Long-Term Effects & Risk Factors:- Elden, H., et al. (2016). Predictors and consequences of long-term pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain: A longitudinal follow-up study. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders.Treatment & Management Strategies:- Guittier, M. J., et al. (2014). Effectiveness of acupuncture to treat pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.- Elden, H., et al. (2005). Effects of acupuncture and stabilising exercises as adjunct to standard treatment in pregnant women with pelvic girdle pain: Randomised single blind controlled trial. BMJ.- Kvorning, N., et al. (2004). Acupuncture relieves pelvic and low-back pain in late pregnancy. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica.- Park, J., et al. (2014). The safety of acupuncture during pregnancy: A systematic review. Acupuncture in Medicine.Patient Experiences & Advocacy:Pierce, H., et al. (2012). Pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain: Listening to Australian women. Nursing Research and Practice.Learn more about Breeze Academy: https://breeze.academyFollow us on Instagram @breeze.academy.professionalGot questions? Email us at [email protected]