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.

Pregnancy Osteopathy in Tunbridge Wells Osteopaths

Relief from pregnancy pain

Pregnancy Osteopathy at Tunbridge Wells Osteopaths

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.

PGP Osteopathy at Tunbridge Wells Osteopaths

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

Chloe

I experienced SPD symptoms two years after giving birth and was informed there was no specific treatment available. It was not until we came across Quentin at Tunbridge Wells Osteopaths that we finally found relief.  We embarked on a journey between 2.5-3.5 hours to visit this purported miracle worker, who undeniably lived up to his reputation. Although I still have a few more sessions to go, my condition has already improved significantly.

Sacha

I was becoming more physically disabled and after giving birth was unable to lift my son without assistance. Tunbridge Wells Osteopaths has given me my independence back. My body feels free and it is really exciting to think I can now lift my son without so much strain and anguish.

Poppy

I never needed to use crutches, or a wheelchair during my fourth pregnancy, despite being disabled in my third pregnancy. I would urge any SPD sufferer or indeed, anyone suffering back pain to visit Quentin at Tunbridge Wells Osteopaths. His skills as an osteopath are quite extraordinary. I would go so far as to say he has x-ray vision.

Helen

All advice went against everything I’d read or been told by other health professionals, but I was prepared to listen to the expert, bearing in mind nobody else seemed to have anything positive to say about SPD. I continued to see Quentin throughout the remainder of my pregnancy and remained crutch free and in little or no pain.

Carolina

A GP who had herself suffered from SPD gave us the details of an Osteopath in Tunbridge Wells who came highly recommended as an expert. SPD is not something you need to put up with: The proper treatment can change your life.

C Wright

I expected SPD to go away after pregnancy, but continued to get pelvic, hip, and sacroiliac joint pain. I really felt old before my time. I went to see Tunbridge Wells Osteopaths and Quentin told me more in five minutes than anyone had been able to tell me in five years!

Katherine

I lived on a concoction of prescription painkillers that rendered me senseless. Despite being two counties away from Tunbridge Wells, I thought it was worth a shot. Quentin instantly saw the appalling state my posture was in and set about fixing me. [Many] years on, I cannot thank Quentin enough for giving me my life back

Anna

I was in pain nearly all the time after a horrific pregnancy with SPD. Prior to meeting Quentin, I never thought I’d risk having a second child. And yet during my second pregnancy Quentin kept me on my feet with barely a twinge. I am so grateful.

Liz

My life was a mess. I knew I couldn’t spend another year moving between relapses and doctors visits. I had originally dismissed Tunbridge Wells due to the distance between us (I live in Staffordshire) but I knew I had to give it a go. 

[Visiting Tunbridge Wells Osteopaths] was the catalyst to my change in fortune. I hobbled into the reception area on my crutches and left with no crutches, and no need for them either.

Natalie

It was only after visiting Quentin, I realised it didn’t need to be this way. From my first visit it was transformational. I hadn’t realised how much my life had been impacted.  I had been managing my back for years and was not physically free. Over the course of 3 or 4 sessions, it was like a cloud of head fog cleared. I was able to get back to normal life.  I was able to exercise and travel again without worrying or carrying ice packs everywhere with me.”

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.

Knee pain Osteopathy at Tunbridge Wells Osteopaths

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