Anyone had physio for SPD/PGP?

[amyem]

I have an appointment at the hospital next week with a physio for spd/pgp and just wondered if anyone else has had one and can advise what to expect?

I tried to have a quick look online but most threads were from a few years ago so didn't if things had maybe changed. A few people or articles I've read online have mentioned about having to strip down to underwear and just wanted to mentally prepare myself if this is the case!! Would rather not if I can help it!!

I had a group session first. Gave me the tips I had already been using for weeks/ months at that point.

Phoned up to get a one-to-one where I was given crutches, she looked at how my joints moved and we discussed my individual issues (feels like I've been kicked in the crotch with every step and being woken up with I move in my sleep). She gave me two exercise I could try. She said see her again if I need more help but her next appointment wasn't until Feb (this was four weeks ago). I'm due in March.

My verdict: not completely useless but hasn't made anything better either.

My plan (as suggested by the physio) is to try pregnancy massage, then a chiropractor and finally an osteopath to see if any of those can help. Finally, I'll head to the gp for some stronger pain relief and advice on that.

Ice feels nice and so do warm (but not hot) baths.

Good luck. Don't expect miracles.

I did a group session first too with exercises given to do at home. I didn’t feel that it helped much and as said by pp the time between appointments was too long, so I paid for an osteopath and had weekly sessions.

This pregnancy I started a yoga class and although I have no proof of a correlation, I’ve managed to get to 21 weeks with no sign of the spd showing (touches wood) whereas I got the first niggles in my 13th week last time.

I've seen a physio too. She did a long verbal assessment asking me lots of questions about the pain and movement. Then she asked me to try some movements and see whether they hurt more or less.

She gave me two exercises to try and home, plus tips on lifestyle - as well as a support belt with instructions.

In total I was in there for an hour.

It hasn't really helped me to be honest. Not to be pessimistic but nothing has helped and I've tried osteopathy, acupuncture, pregnancy massage etc - but I have read that lots of people have found relief with these so don't lose faith!

I had an app mid december, had to wait 2 months for it like, literally hurt from my lower back down.
When i went it was a one to one with a women who specialises with pregnancy.
She felt my pelvic bone, the backs of my hips, said i was double jointed by how i stood with my knees(crazy)
Said fo do pelvic floor excersizes, sleep with pillow under bump and between knees, take it easy etc etc
She gave me 2 types of support belts, one which was like a bandage type(?) Which i could wear all the time, even in bed, i called it my sausage casing. Only downside with this is it felt so tight against me I stopped feeling baby move so didnt wear it...

The other was to sit under my bump ontop of my pelvic bone which again was super tight (she said it was meant to be) but it stopped me waddling excessivly(waddling helped the pain)

If you do go tho listen to her, i didnt, didnt do the excersizes, didnt wear the belts, pushed through the pain, didnt take it easy, kept walking the 20 mins to and from work and honestly think its part of the reason baby came 5 weeks early...
That and my pregnancy was quite stressfull anyway.

But yes please listen to their advice!

I had also read accounts of stripping to your underwear and was a bit concerned. I wore leggings and a tunic so it was easy for her to see my body shape and joints. I had to lift my top a bit but definitely no nakedness!

I saw the GP today to ask for a referral to physio...he sort of made out it wasn't worth it and instead gave me 4 months worth of paracetamol and codeine....I'm not really sure what to think??

I'm going to go against the grain and say my physio was amazing. I saw her every fortnight even though she was horrendously busy. She did manipulations each time that gave immediate relief, gave me exercises - which didn't give relief but I think strengthened the muscles that supported my pelvis - and gave me a support belt which kind of squashed my hips inwards which helped too. I didn't have to strip off either.

That said it's in direct contrast to my last pregnancy when I was on codeine, given crutches and a massive tubigrip that stopped me feeling baby's movements. And I only saw that physio twice.

I think it depends entirely on the pressure the physio service is under, rather than maternal need. I hope yours helps.

@Babyno2mamabear

My GP referred me to a physio and it turned out to be a 20 year old -boy- man who knew NOTHING about pregnancy. I found out eventually that my hospital could refer me to a pregnancy specialist in the Women's Health department (was livid they didnt tell me this when I asked the first time!!!) I'd try to see a specialist if this is an option as normal physios don't seem very well versed in pregnancy ailments!

I spoke to the physio triage (its self referral in our area) and she gave me such good advice by the time the appointment came my SPD was largely under control!
She looked at my back (lifted top slightly) but not stripped. Gave me some exercises to do to strengthen around the weak bits.
Overall very positive.