RASEDUSAEGNE VAAGNAVÖÖTMEVALU, SELLE FÜSIOTERAPEUTILINE HINDAMINE JA SEKKUMINE
Pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain, its physiotherapeutic assessment and intervention
Annika Allik, Reet Linkberg
Abstract The aim of this final thesis was to give an overview of pelvic girdle pain (PGP), its symptoms, causes, physical therapy assessment and intervention in pregnancy. The final thesis has been based on scientific articles and books. It has been found that PGP is a musculoskeletal pain which affects 20-63% of pregnant women. It causes serious health and social problems for them, for example difficulties with walking, climbing stairs, turning in bed, carrying loads. The cause of PGP is not known but it is thought that the hormonal and biomechanical changes in pregnancy play an important role in occurrence of PGP. The physiotherapist should deal with the muscles which ensure core stability as it is found that the women suffering from PGP have reduced strength and resistance of the muscles that ensure core stability. In order to manage the pain, massage and wearing pelvic belts is essential. TENS and pharmacotherapy may also be used. The physical therapist should consult patients on ergonomics and teach how to transfer and how to perform daily activities. For this paper the author has translated the PGP questionnaire into Estonian so it can be used for initial assessment and for the assessment of therapy outcomes. Keywords: pelvic girdle pain, pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain, pregnancy related low back pain 244
