Underreported Pregnancy Related Lumbopelvic Pain (PLPP)

Details: Written by: Kasia Gondek, PT, DPT, CSCS; Published: 26 September 2023; Last Updated: 19 October 2023; 1676 Views

Underreported Pregnancy Related Lumbopelvic Pain:

A common condition that most healthcare providers are missing and how physical therapy can help

Being pregnant comes with lots of changes to an expecting mother’s body. Hormonal and physical changes to the body, as well as vascular and neural factors can cause pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain (PLPP). About 63% of pregnant women in the U.S. experience it at some point during gestation. A recent survey study involving 538 pregnant women with pregnancy-related lumbar and pelvic pain (henceforth termed lumbopelvic pain) found that only 43% reported it, and of those, only 22% received any treatment!¹ Physical therapy through the use of manual treatments, therapeutic exercises, muscle re-education, and functional activity training (lifting mechanics, proper sitting and standing posture) have been proven effective at reducing pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain and improving quality of life.^2,3,4 Pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain can interfere with quality of life, physical function, inability to perform daily activities, sleep disturbances, and can contribute to mood disorders such as anxiety and depression.^1,2

This article explores the reasons why healthcare providers (HCPs) are missing the mark with identifying and recommending treatment for pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain and what we can do to change that.

In a recent study, Hameed, et al. found that HCPs may inaccurately minimize patient’s symptoms and pain (classifying them as expected and normal with pregnancy), and fail to evaluate potential limitations (including ability to work, drive, perform daily activities and physical activity) stemming from pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain. Recent survey studies found that participants felt their condition was normalized and overlooked by their HCPs. The study also found that because pregnancy is a self-limited condition, it may also influence the likelihood of reporting pain to their provider. In the United States, a lack of universal health care resources may also influence a person's choice to seek treatment for this.¹

It is important that any healthcare provider ask about any low back pain, pelvic girdle pain, or issues with bowel and bladder functioning (leakage, difficulty emptying, or having any pelvic pressure), as these are all things that are very treatable with orthopedic and pelvic physical therapy! All of our Physical Therapists have specialized training to identify and treat pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain and other pelvic floor-related symptoms including pain.

Physical therapy is an effective first line treatment for pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain.^2,3,4 Physical therapy can help decrease and relieve pain, improve your posture, core and hip strength as well as treat any muscle trigger points. Your physical therapist will also identify ways you can modify your daily activities to decrease the strain on your body and improve pain long-term.

Do you have pregnancy related lumbopelvic pain? Read more of our articles on this topic and contact our office for the help you deserve!

References:

1. Farah Hameed, Ariana Cesare, Nura Mariscal del Moral, Travis Barton, and Cynthia Chiarello. Is Pregnancy-Related Lumbopelvic Pain Reported to Health Care Providers?. Journal of Women's Health. August 3, 2023 ahead of print https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2022.0459

2. van Benten E, Pool J, Mens J, Pool-Goudzwaard A. Recommendations for physical therapists on the treatment of lumbopelvic pain during pregnancy: a systematic review. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2014;44(7):464-A15. doi:10.2519/jospt.2014.5098

3. Fontana Carvalho AP, Dufresne SS, Rogerio de Oliveira M, et al. Effects of lumbar stabilization and muscular stretching on pain, disabilities, postural control and muscle activation in pregnant woman with low back pain. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2020;56(3):297-306. doi:10.23736/S1973-9087.20.06086-4

4. Sonmezer E, Özköslü MA, Yosmaoğlu HB. The effects of clinical pilates exercises on functional disability, pain, quality of life and lumbopelvic stabilization in pregnant women with low back pain: A randomized controlled study. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2021;34(1):69-76. doi:10.3233/BMR-191810

What Our Patients Have to Say

Testimonial by S.S., age 54

Heather is the best! I saw her today for terrible hip/groin pain. I was so impressed with the safety measures in place and felt completely safe . Thanks for the healing hands.

S.S., age 54

Testimonial by Julie T.

Femina PT (née Fusion Wellness & Physical Therapy) has honestly changed my life. Before receiving treatment at Femina, I was going doctor to doctor to try and find the answer to my pelvic pain. It has taken me YEARS to find someone that can help fix this. It wasn't until my gynecologist recommended your clinic that I finally felt relief. My pelvic pain is almost gone, and granted I still have a lot more to work on with Laureen (my PT), my original problem is nearly cured. I am so grateful to her.
What is even better is she gave me practical exercises to do at home that were not tedious and provided instant (and lasting) relief. Although I mainly work with Laureen, my interaction with the owner (Heather) has been great. She is very generous, kind, and committed to her business.
It hurts to know there are women out there suffering who will never know or have the opportunity to work with women like Laureen and Heather because this issue is hardly talked about and this field is so rare. I hope more doctors and physical therapists see the value in this work and can relieve more woman of their pain.

-- Julie T., 12/4/16 via Yelp!

Testimonial by R.H.

No one could tell me why I was having pain during sex--sharp pain, not just uncomfortable, pain. I was referred to Heather Jeffcoat after researching several different options. I had seen a specialist who told me physical therapy would not help and my only option was surgery. I really didn't want to go that route, so when we got a referral, I decided to try it--it can't hurt, I thought. I am so glad I did. She diagnosed the problem right away, which was a relief in itself.

To know why I was having pain eased my mind immensely. And to hear that she could fix it without surgery was another relief. She said she could fix the problem in 6 weeks. I think it was actually 4 for me. She was very methodical, and treated me as an intelligent human being capable of participating in my own recovery. I would absolutely recommend her to anyone. She did not try to prolong my session numbers, she worked hard to accommodate my schedule (and the fact that I had to bring a baby to sessions), and she was completely honest the entire time. It is so hard to find someone with these characteristics, much less a professional who is so good at what she does. She has my highest respect.

-- R.H.

Testimonial by T.C.

While pregnant with my twins, Heather took care with keeping me on my feet and pain free. She saved my back, my sanity and the holidays! I would recommend her to every “mom” looking to stay on her feet during pregnancy and post-partum.

-- T.C.

Testimonial by Alexandra B.

Heather is without exaggerating AMAZING! After years of trouble with a certain part of my body, in no time, she made everything change back to equilibrium and to what would be considered normal. She explains everything in detail and therefore gives you a better understanding of why things are the way they are, and how you can work towards turning things around. I would highly recommend Heather for any type of Physical Therapy. She has created her own "Method/Therapy" through years of studying (with some of the greatest practitioners), practice and breaking down the issues of her past patients, enabling her to fine tune her own system. I'm so thankful to have found her, and I'm especially grateful for the quick recovery I've achieved, after years of distress. If you cannot afford her, I recommend you purchase her book. Although it may not be Heather in person, it can still help you to get on the right path to recovery!

-- Alexandra B., 5/20/2015 via Yelp!

Testimonial by R.M., Age 40

I can’t speak highly enough of the theapists at Femina Physical Therapy and how much they have helped me grow, discover, and love my body. I had had painful sex for my entire life, and didn’t know that there was anything that could be done about it. It was at the point where my husband and I were not having sex for MONTHs, because it was just too frustrating, and I hated feeling like I was the ONLY woman out there who had this problem, especially at my age. I finally brought it up to my doctor because I was turning 40 and my husband and I were barely having enough sex to conceive. And she brought up pelvic floor, PT. I didn’t even know this was a “thing”.
Read more: Testimonial by R.M., Age 40

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Underreported Pregnancy Related Lumbopelvic Pain (aka PLPP)