Osteopathy for Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) or Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD)
Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) or Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) can be a painful and debilitating condition, experienced by approximately 1 in 5 women. It presents during pregnancy and can continue months or even years after giving birth.
There is no formal treatment offered on the NHS, however, Maternal Osteopathic Care can help with non-invasive and gentle treatment.
Quentin Shaw, lead Osteopath and practice manager at Tunbridge Wells Osteopaths, is one of the UK’s leading Osteopathic experts for treating PGP/SPD. He was one of the first Osteopaths in the country to treat the condition in the 1990s.
Over the last 30 years, Quentin has had hundreds of reviews from satisfied patients and has been featured in the BBC and the Guardian. He is well-known for his expertise, regularly welcoming women across the country to the practice. As a former lecturer in Osteopathy, Quentin has also been training the wider Tunbridge Wells Osteopaths team to deliver high-quality PGP treatments.
Relief from pregnancy pain
Pregnancy is an incredible time of change for your body. Our personalised approach is tailored to you, helping to keep your body aligned and pain-free through and after your pregnancy. We take care of you, so you can focus on growing and caring for your baby.
As well as Classical Osteopathic treatments for pregnant and post-partum women, Maternal Osteopathic Care is a leading centre of excellence for treating Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) / Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD).
What is PGP/SPD?
Pelvic pain is felt in the joints, ligaments and muscles that make up the pelvic girdle. The pain can come on suddenly or be chronic and uncomfortable. The area of pain may vary, but will likely be around your pelvic area, your lower abdomen or your lower back. If you have PGP, you may struggle with everyday tasks, such as walking, standing, or getting in and out of the car or bath. This isn’t something you want to deal with when you are busy growing a baby. Although pelvic pain often goes away after birth, for some women, the pain can continue for many years.
Can Osteopathy help?
Pelvic pain in pregnancy can be effectively treated with Classical Osteopathy. Each treatment plan varies from person to person, depending whether you are pregnant or postpartum.
How is PGP/SPD treated in pregnancy?
Pregnancy is a difficult time for your body. At Maternal Osteopathic Care, we aim to free you from pain by realigning the structure and function of your pelvis, spinal column, and any other affected areas.
Our highly-trained Osteopaths use a variety of techniques to improve your pelvic girdle pain. This includes gentle manipulation, soft tissue release, and articulatory techniques. All our treatments are non-invasive and gentle, helping to reduce pain levels, improve strength, mobility, flexibility and stabilise the pelvic girdle.
Please note that although there is no evidence of Osteopathy increasing the risk of miscarriage, we do not advise treatments during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
How quickly will I recover?
We recommend coming for treatment as soon as possible after your symptoms appear for the quickest chance of recovery. Treatment in the latter stages of pregnancy can help to relieve and prevent your pain from getting worse.
If your PGP is severe, you may require treatment every week. For mild and moderate cases, you may need to come every two to three weeks until your body is stable.
Maternal Osteopathic Care
Supporting you – from Preparation to Parenthood
What Our Patients Say About Us
How is PGP treated in post-partum women?
If you suffer from PGP/SPD after pregnancy, it is often caused by an unresolved misalignment of the pelvis that occurred during the pregnancy or from giving birth. Maternal Osteopathic Care will work with you to help you on your recovery journey.
If you have suffered from PGP/SPD for years after pregnancy and have not sought support yet, don’t worry – it’s never too late. We can help you but recovery may take a bit longer. This is because your body has likely made compensatory changes to adapt to the pain, so you need a bit more time to make steady progress for a full recovery. It is likely that one treatment will not provide a miracle cure. However, through a tailored treatment plan you will see less pain, more mobility, and more activity levels as the weeks progress.
Maternal Osteopathic Care
Supporting you – from Preparation to Parenthood
About Us
Maternal Osteopathic Care is part of Tunbridge Wells Osteopathic Practice, offering experienced and evidence-informed, compassionate care in a safe and welcoming environment.
Get in touch
5 Upper Grosvenor Road
Tunbridge Wells
Kent
TN1 2DU
United Kingdom
+ 44 (0)1892 535858