Understanding Pubic Symphysis Pain: Why Your Pelvis Hurts and How PT Can Help
If you’re experiencing sharp pain at the front of your pelvis, especially during pregnancy or postpartum, you’re not imagining it. That discomfort may be due to a condition called Pubic Symphysis Dysfunction (PSD), also known as Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD).
At our clinic, we see many women navigating this painful and frustrating issue, and the good news is: you don’t have to suffer through it. Pelvic floor physical therapy can help.
What Is Pubic Symphysis Dysfunction?
The pubic symphysis is the joint at the front of the pelvis where the two pubic bones meet. It’s connected by a piece of cartilage and has very little movement- unless it’s being affected by pregnancy, injury, or instability in the surrounding muscles.
Pubic Symphysis Dysfunction occurs when this joint becomes inflamed, overly mobile, or misaligned. It’s particularly common in pregnancy due to hormonal changes (like relaxin) that loosen the ligaments to prepare the body for birth.
What Does It Feel Like?
Common symptoms of SPD include:
- Sharp or stabbing pain in the front center of the pelvis
- Pain that worsens when walking, standing on one leg, climbing stairs, or rolling in bed
- A feeling of pelvic instability, clicking, or grinding
- Discomfort during movements that involve hip abduction (like getting out of a car)
- Sometimes, pain radiates to the inner thighs, hips, or lower back
Who’s at Risk?
While PSD is most often associated with pregnancy, it can also affect:
- Postpartum individuals, especially after a difficult labor
- Athletes or dancers who perform repetitive pelvic movements
- People with hypermobility or joint instability, which can include conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)
- Anyone recovering from pelvic trauma or surgery
How Can Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Help?
You don’t need to “wait it out” or live in pain. Pelvic floor physical therapy offers safe, effective relief, even during pregnancy. Here’s how:
1. Comprehensive Assessment
We assess not just the pubic symphysis, but your entire pelvic alignment, muscle function, and movement patterns. Often, other areas (like the hips, SI joints, or pelvic floor) contribute to the problem.
2. Targeted Exercises
We’ll guide you through gentle, targeted exercises to strengthen the deep core, glutes, inner thighs, and pelvic floor. The goal is to provide better support and stability for the pelvis.
3. Manual Therapy
When appropriate, hands-on techniques can help improve pelvic alignment, reduce muscle tension, and relieve pain.
4. Movement Modifications
We’ll teach you how to move, sit, stand, and even roll in bed in ways that reduce pressure on the pubic symphysis and prevent flare-ups.
Read more about V Strong Physical Therapy, and find out how pelvic floor physical therapy can benefit you! We’re excited to help you start on your pelvic floor journey.
https://vstrongphysicaltherapy.com/about/
Works Cited
Bradley MH, Rawlins A, Brinker CA. Physical Therapy Treatment of Pelvic Pain. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2017 Aug;28(3):589-601. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2017.03.009. Epub 2017 May 12. PMID: 28676366.