Pubic Symphysis Dysfunction and Pelvic Girdle Pain

Pubic Symphysis Dysfunction and Pelvic girdle pain can occur during pregnancy due to the increased joint mobility and ligament relaxation which can lead to increased pain in the pelvis. Pubic Symphysis Dysfunction specifically refers to pain or instability at the pubic symphysis, which is the joint at the front of the pelvis. Pain can also be felt in the inner thigh area.

Pelvic Girdle Pain is a broader term that encompasses pain in the entire pelvic region, the pain can radiate from the front to the back of the pelvis. The pain may manifest in the pubic area, lower back, hips, groin, thighs and even knees.

What does the research say about Acupuncture?

One study found that Acupuncture combined with stabilising exercises was successful in alleviating Pelvic girdle pain (Elden et al, 2005).

Another study used Auricular Acupuncture on pregnant women with lower back and pelvic girdle pain. They found that after the Acupuncture treatment protocol was applied alongside general obstetric care, there was a significant reduction in lumbar and pelvic pain in the pregnant women (Vas et al, 2019).

References

Elden et al (2005), “Effects of acupuncture and stabilising exercises as adjunct to standard treatment in pregnant women with pelvic girdle pain: randomised single blind controlled trial”, BMJ, 330: 7494.

Vas et al, (2019), “Effect of ear acupuncture on pregnancy related pain and posterior pelvic girdle pain: a multicentre randomised clinical trial”, Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand, 98: 1307-1317.