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Treatment, Bracing, and Modalities in Pelvic Girdle Pain

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Musculoskeletal Health in Pregnancy and Postpartum

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Abstract

Pregnancy-related low back pain (PLBP), pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP), and pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain (PLPP) are common and disabling conditions. In this chapter, treatment options are discussed, including physical therapy/exercise, pharmacologic treatments, bracing, modalities, and integrative therapies, such as acupuncture. Conservative management is preferred during pregnancy. Physical therapy is recommended as first-line treatment, focusing on manual therapy and self-mobilization, postural alignment/pelvic tilt, symmetrical body mechanics education, core/gluteal strengthening, and individualized pelvic stabilization exercises. Exercise and patient education prior to and during pregnancy may help minimize symptoms. There is evidence to support the use of bracing (pelvic support belt), and this should be recommended as an option to improve pain with standing and walking. In addition, modalities, such as pillows, heat/cold, and TENS, may be utilized as conservative treatments to help with pain. Acupuncture is considered safe during pregnancy, but certain acupuncture points that stimulate the cervix and uterus should be avoided. Overall, PPGP and PLBP are considered self-limiting conditions and symptoms often resolve within a few weeks to 3 months after delivery.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University and Weill Cornell Medical Centers, New York, NY, USA

    Danielle Sarno MD

  2. Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, 180 Fort Washington, Suite 1-199, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    Farah Hameed MD

Authors
  1. Danielle Sarno MD
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  2. Farah Hameed MD
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Correspondence to Farah Hameed MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Loyola University, Maywood, Illinois, USA

    Colleen M. Fitzgerald

  2. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Kansas, Kansas City, Kansas, USA

    Neil A. Segal

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© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Sarno, D., Hameed, F. (2015). Treatment, Bracing, and Modalities in Pelvic Girdle Pain. In: Fitzgerald, C., Segal, N. (eds) Musculoskeletal Health in Pregnancy and Postpartum. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-14319-4_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-14319-4_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-14318-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-14319-4

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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