SPD - newly diagnosed, mainly confused - any tips?

[ems1971]

Hi,

Have recently been diagnosed with SPD and went yesterday for physio. Got issued with mammoth tubi-grip (how sexy) and a maternity belt I was told would be good for me as I commute to London every day to do a desk job so sit down quite a bit. On the packet of the belt it says not to be used for sitting! Now confused as to what to do for the best! Used to walk lots but been told to ease off that?

Have considered osteopathy but midwife says to rest up for three weeks and see if it magically goes away?

Has anyone got any hints or tips to providing relief before I even get to labour??? Anything considered!!

I was told to use the belt for activity. So walking/shopping etc. Anything that I find triggers the pain & makes it worse.

The tubigrip I was told to use for resting & to put on once the belt came off. Also first thing in the morning to ease pain. I find I ache alot when I get out of bed & 30 mins with the tubigrip on helps ease it. It does feel very tight to start with, but you get used to it.

Tips
: Sit with back as straight as possible, feet flat on the floor, legs together.

:Stand from sitting with legs together. Try not to part legs, instead swing whole body around. So say if driving/getting out of car, both legs out together & stand. Some people put a platic bag on their seat for easy turning.

: Stand evenly, both feet flat to the floor at all times. Do not try & kick your shoes off with other foot...this is very painful for me!

: Turn whole body in bed when you turn over & swing your legs together over side of bed before standing.

: Go up & down stairs sideways.

:Avoid lifting anything heavy. I can feel the pressure as soon as I try to lift the shopping bags!

: Dress your bottom half sitting down.

: DO NOT think that you can shave your legs one at a time, while standing on one foot with the other on the edge of the bath! OUCH is all I will say! Even tho I said MUCH more at the time!

: Do not try & shut drawers or door with a foot! Again...OUCH!

Basically, keep your legs together as much as possible. I now find kneeling very hard, so am trying to avoid it, even tho it means I can't get on the floor & play with dd, as I need to kneel at some point going up or down!

You will find your triggers & hopefully be able to figure out when you need the belt & when you need the tubigrip.

Hi. I am still recovering from severe SPD after giving birth 10 months ago. Mine was so severe I ended up in a wheelchair for a couple of months and couldn't actually move at all when I gave birth. Everything Sandcastles has said is good advice. As for the belt, I too struggled with the one the NHS gave me. I saw a private physiotherapist and she recommended The Serola Sacroiliac Belt from www.appliedbiomechanics.co.uk. You can wear it comfortably standing/sitting/lying and it fits nicely under clothes. You can even wear it to be if you like. It costs £19.50. For me, this was the biggest help in aiding my SPD. Do try to rest as much as possible and use crutches if you have to.

Thanks so much sandcastles and keresley - brilliant advice. Trying to rest up as much as poss and not worry - will definitely look into getting the serola sacroiliac belt.

Have also looked at going to an osteopath who has treated this before...

Hope you are feeling lots better soon keresley - you have my sympathy.

Don't hoover you might feel ok at the time,but very painful after.My ds2 is a year now and i still get it.I still can't push things with my feet...like moving the rug etc.

I too have suffered horrendously post natal. Mine went away in pregnancy after 4 weeks total bedrest following emergency appendectomy.
am 14 mths post natal now and pelvis is stabilized but am left with severe nerve pain.
I cannot wear a belt though so this has prob hampered recovery.
hoovering and mopping both v bad as twist the pelvis.
get a fitness ball to sit on as it focuses your core muscles without hurting you.

Satin pjs make sleeping easier I have a pair in sz14 happy to post out to you for nothing. I was a size 10 and wore them so they fit big range! Really helped

Sleep with pillow between knees. I still do this!
keep legs together and move slowly.

Good luck

oh found rehab physio far more effective than my osteo. Fwiw

Thanks Piffle - you are v kind to offer the pjs - actually i have some similar so when the hot weather subsides I shall test them out. But thanks for the offer, much appreciated.