physiotherapist for pelvic pain in pregnancy

[simonethebeaver]

I'm having quite a bit of pelvic pain (am 28 weeks) which is making walking quite tricky. I don't think it's SPD as I have no trouble opening my legs (hmm) but I think from internet research it may be pelvic girdle pain. My midwife says it's hormones but it's getting worse 2 weeks in. I'm going to call her and ask for a physio referral but in case she keeps to the hormone theory, or it's a long wait for the appointment, does anyone know of any phsyios or other practioners round here that know what they're doing with pelvic pain?

[curlykaren]

russell, above DMC, brilliant during my pregnancy. you can usually get an appointment at short notice as well. hope that helps

[Fuschia]

I got referred to an acute clinic at Kings and offered an appt within a week (the second time I had pain in pg, the first time ended up on a much slower referral route)

ASk your GP for referral to the acute clinic.

[ClareC]

I would second Russell, he is really good.

[Fuschia]

It IS hormones that loosen the ligaments, so MW is right. I had similar pain (sacro-iliac joint) and the good news is physio fixed it!

[littleEDfamily]

DMC can give you a referral to the chiro as well. My low back and pelvis were totally unstable and very sore during my last pregnancy, and in the latter stages I saw the chiro as much as a couple of times a week - Daniel the chap in Crystal Palace Rd. Absolutely saved me. You get 8 sessions on NHS then you need to pay or go via private health...click, click, clickety click. I am sure that having your pelvis as well aligned as possible can make for a better birth. Just my opinion...good luck; I empathise!

[Countjc]

Hi stb

sorry to hear about your pain. I had severe SPD which they now call pelvic girdle pain. Am on my iPhone at the mo but will send you some good links from my computer later that can give you guidance.

Kings actually referred me to St Thomas as they have an amazing SPD specialist there called Paula plus regular hydrotherapy sessions. There was a big wait though so I also saw a private physio at Six Physio but they are no longer in the area but had several reconmendations for Russel as the posts above.

Off the top of my head I think the site is the pelvic network and offers loads of advice etc.

The main thing to do now is rest as much as poss till you see a physio and they can reallign things.

All the best

[Countjc]

http://www.pelvicpartnership.org.uk/

[simonethebeaver]

Thanks loads, all. A friend told me about the Pelvic Partnership

so I'd had a read up.

Fuchsia, apparently only about 10% of pelvic pain is actually caused by hormones and midwives can delay sending you off for physio until it's harder to relieve any physical causes. Mine was talking about something that happens around the start of the last trimester and self-resolves rather than ongoing pelvic pain, and she may well be right, but I thought it was worth asking on here for more information in case I needed it. I'm really grateful as there seems to be a lot of options around.

[BellendenBear]

Is Russell above DMC private or NHS?

Think I have developed SPD at 35 weeks. I guess it's worth getting an NHS referral to physio at KCH, but I'm still working so am keen to see someone privately asap. Any other recommendations apart from Russell?

Thanks.

[mima08]

hi- i got bad pains in the last few weeks of my pregnancy and saw a chiro - east dulwich chiro on crystal palace road. was very good, 3 sessions and all pain gone and none recurred (aparently they don't always disappear with giving birth...) can hugely recommend that chiro, hope you get some help

x

[ClareC]

I used Russell privately, no idea if he does NHS work, suspect so but def does private and open long hours so easy to get an appointment at short notice.

He isn't linked to DMC, think the practice is called Dulwich Physio and presume they just use the same premises.

[EDmummy]

Russell is a private Physiotherapist and does not do NHS work to my knowledge. I have been using him for years through my work provided private health cover.

[simonethebeaver]

Just wanted to say a big thank you for the chiropractor recommendation on here. I waited and waited for a physio referral, as I was referred to the regular clinic and couldn't get changed to the acute clinic for ages, and had got to the point where I could barely walk. Eventually I found a doctor who would prescribe codeine and then went to see the chiro, once physio had given me a support belt.

I felt a bit like Lazarus. I've had two chiro appointments at the clinic mentioned on here, and can walk again. I've gone from codeine to no painkillers, and although I'm not entirely pain free, and still have a bit of a limp, life is dramatically different. My GP just gave me doom and gloom and said it would get worse and worse (not what I wanted to hear at 31 weeks!) but now I feel a lot more positive and at 34 weeks, feel like I won't be completely incapacitated.

And yes, it's hormonal SPD. Not the same hormoney thing the midwife thought, but still down to that damn relaxin.

[BellendenBear]

I saw Russell the physio on the recommendations above, and he was brilliant. After 30 (quite painful) minutes of massage I left virtually pain-free and able to walk almost normally again. I only needed one session. He showed me some really simple exercises to do which have also helped. Well worth the ?45.