How effective is postnatal physiotherapy for pelvic girdle pain?

Pelvic girdle pain can affect the joints at the front or back of the pelvis and may make walking, stairs, turning in bed, or standing on one leg difficult. A physiotherapist looks at your pain pattern, joint movement, strength, balance, and the way you manage everyday loads. Treatment can include pacing, comfortable positioning, pelvic and hip exercises, gentle hands-on techniques, and advice about feeding or carrying your baby. The aim is better function and confidence, not forcing painful joints into a particular position.

Book a postnatal assessment if pain is limiting sleep, walking, childcare, or exercise. Describe which movements trigger it and whether pain is at the pubic bone, buttock, hip, or lower back. Use the agreed exercises regularly but keep effort within a tolerable range. Reduce repeated single-leg tasks, twisting while carrying, and sudden increases in activity when they aggravate symptoms. A support belt or walking aid may help some people for a period, but it should be fitted and reviewed rather than used as the only treatment.

Seek prompt medical advice for new weakness, numbness, loss of bladder or bowel control, inability to bear weight, or severe pain after a fall. Contact your maternity or primary-care team for fever, a swollen painful joint area, or pain that is rapidly worsening. These features need assessment because they are not typical reasons to simply continue a home exercise plan.

Which pelvic movements are safe for me now? Could a belt or walking aid help? What activity level should I use while pain settles? Which symptoms mean I should stop an exercise and contact the team?