How long does postnatal physiotherapy take to work for pelvic girdle pain?

Pelvic girdle pain can involve the joints and muscles around the pubic area, lower back, hips, and pelvis. Treatment may address painful movement patterns, muscle support, walking, stairs, turning in bed, and caring for your baby. Symptoms can fluctuate with fatigue, prolonged standing, uneven loading, and carrying.

Improvement may mean being able to walk farther, turn in bed, or use stairs with less guarding before pain disappears completely. A flare does not always mean damage, but it is useful information about the amount of activity your body can currently tolerate.

A physiotherapist can assess your gait, pelvic stability, muscle control, and daily tasks. Follow the graded exercise plan, change position regularly, and keep loads close to your body. Use symmetrical movements where possible, sit to dress, and ask for help with heavy or awkward tasks while symptoms are active. Increase activity in small steps rather than testing the painful limit repeatedly.

Learn about [Postnatal Physiotherapy](/treatments/pelvic-floor-and-rehabilitation/postnatal-physiotherapy/).

Arrange a clinical review if pain is worsening, walking is becoming more limited, or numbness or weakness develops. Seek urgent help for new loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the genitals, inability to bear weight after an injury, fever, or severe sudden pain. Persistent pain despite a careful programme may indicate that the diagnosis or plan needs revisiting.

Ask how much walking, lifting, and stair use is appropriate now, which symptoms signal overloading, and how often your plan should be reviewed. Ask whether a belt, walking aid, or referral to another clinician would be suitable.