Expert Pelvic Girdle Pain Physiotherapy To Help You Move With Confidence
Pelvic girdle pain can make everyday activities such as walking, turning in bed, daily functional activities, climbing stairs, exercising, or caring for your family feel uncomfortable and exhausting. At Physiotherapy Torbay, we provide specialist pelvic girdle pain physiotherapy to help reduce pain, improve movement, and support your recovery during pregnancy and after birth.
Why Choose Physiotherapy Torbay For Pelvic Girdle Pain Support?
- Specialist Women’s Health Physiotherapist with 10 years of experience
- Trained by the founder of Mummy MOT
- Personalised one-to-one assessments and treatment plans
- Support during pregnancy and postnatal recovery
- Private, welcoming clinic in Paignton
- Advanced rehabilitation technology including Lymphatouch and Winback 3TX where clinically appropriate
- Trusted local reputation with numerous positive patient reviews
- Compassionate care focused on long-term recovery
Need advice before booking? Call 07700 100312 or email sarah@physiotherapytorbay.co.uk to discuss your symptoms.
What Is Pelvic Girdle Pain & Who Does It Affect?
Pelvic girdle pain, often referred to as PGP, is a common condition that affects the joints, muscles and ligaments around the pelvis. Rather than actual joint damage PGP is usually caused by an increase in the sensitivity of the tissues and nerves around the pelvis. The shifting weight of a growing baby, changing posture and pregnancy hormones contribute to this sensitivity. It is particularly common during pregnancy but can sometimes persist after birth.
Symptoms can vary from mild discomfort to significant pain that affects mobility and daily activities.
Common symptoms include:
- Pain over the pubic bone at the front or across one or both sides of the lower back
- Discomfort spreading to the thighs or the area between the vagina and the anus
- Pain when walking or standing on one leg (eg. Climbing the stairs, putting on trousers)
- Difficulty turning over in bed or turning in confined spaces, getting in and out of the car
- Clicking, grinding or a feeling of instability in the pelvic area.
- Reduced confidence with movement and exercise
As part of our specialist Women’s Health Physiotherapy services, we assess the underlying factors contributing to your symptoms and create a treatment plan tailored to your individual needs.
How Physiotherapy Can Help Pelvic Girdle Pain
Many people assume pelvic girdle pain is something they simply have to tolerate throughout pregnancy. While some discomfort can occur due to the physical changes of pregnancy, persistent pain should not be ignored.
Physiotherapy can help by:
- Identifying movement patterns that may be aggravating symptoms
- Improving pelvic stability, strength and muscle function
- Reducing unnecessary strain on joints and ligaments
- Providing practical advice for daily activities
- Supporting safe exercise and physical activity
- Improving confidence and independence
- Helping you prepare for birth and postnatal recovery
Treatment is always personalised and based on your symptoms, stage of pregnancy, lifestyle and goals.
Pregnancy-Related Pelvic Girdle Pain
Hormonal changes, altered posture, growing baby weight and changes in movement patterns can all contribute to pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy.
Many women seek support because pain is affecting:
- Sleep quality
- Work responsibilities
- Exercise routines
- Caring for other children
- Daily mobility and general function
Early assessment can often help prevent symptoms from becoming more limiting as pregnancy progresses.
Postnatal Pelvic Girdle Pain
Some women continue to experience pelvic pain after birth, particularly if there are underlying weakness, continued movement dysfunction or scar-related restrictions.
Postnatal physiotherapy can support recovery by addressing:
- Pelvic floor function
- Core muscle rehabilitation
- Movement confidence
- Scar treatment where relevant
- Return to exercise planning
- Long-term symptom management
Benefits Of Specialist Pelvic Girdle Pain Physiotherapy
Choosing specialist women’s health physiotherapy provides benefits beyond temporary symptom relief.
Potential benefits include:
- Reduced pain levels
- Improved mobility
- Better sleep quality
- Greater confidence with movement
- Improved ability to care for your family
- Support for maintaining activity during pregnancy
- Improved postnatal recovery outcomes
- Personalised advice based on your individual presentation
Many women find that understanding their symptoms and having a clear recovery plan helps reduce anxiety surrounding pregnancy-related pain.
Our Assessment & Treatment Process
Initial Consultation
Your appointment begins with a detailed discussion about your symptoms, pregnancy or postnatal journey, medical history and goals.
Comprehensive Physical Assessment
A thorough assessment helps identify the factors contributing to your pelvic girdle pain, including movement patterns, muscle function and daily activities.
Personalised Treatment Plan
Treatment may include:
- Education and advice
- Targeted exercises
- Manual therapy where appropriate
- Movement modification strategies
- Pelvic floor rehabilitation – any internal examinations are carried out postnatally
- Use of specialist rehabilitation technology when clinically indicated
Ongoing Support
Your plan evolves as your symptoms improve, helping you move more comfortably and confidently throughout pregnancy and beyond.
Why Women Choose Physiotherapy Torbay
Physiotherapy Torbay was established in 2021 and has developed a strong reputation across Paignton and the wider Torbay area for personalised care and specialist expertise.
Sarah combines:
- 10 years of physiotherapy experience
- 10 years in specialist Women’s Health physiotherapy training
- Training from the founder of Mummy MOT
- Training from scar expert physiotherapist Hannah Poulton of HLP Therapy
- Experience supporting women throughout pregnancy and postnatal recovery
- Advanced rehabilitation technologies
- A compassionate and supportive approach
Many women choose our clinic because they value continuity of care and seeing the same practitioner throughout their treatment journey.
You can learn more about Sarah and her background on our About Us page.
Common Problems We Help With
Pelvic girdle pain is often accompanied by other symptoms or conditions.
We commonly support women experiencing:
- Pregnancy-related back pain
- Pelvic floor dysfunction
- Postnatal recovery concerns
- Diastasis recti
- Scar-related restrictions following C-section or perineal injury after vaginal birth
- Pelvic pain
- Prolapse symptoms
- Incontinence
- Reduced confidence returning to exercise
You can also explore our wider range of services on our Services page.
Areas We Cover
Our clinic is based in Preston, Paignton and regularly supports patients from:
- Paignton
- Preston
- Goodrington
- Torquay
- Brixham
- Totnes
- Broadsands
- Churston Ferrers
Women travel from across Torbay to access specialist women’s health physiotherapy and personalised pelvic girdle pain support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is pelvic girdle pain normal during pregnancy?
Pelvic girdle pain is common during pregnancy, but ongoing pain should still be assessed. Physiotherapy can help identify contributing factors and provide strategies to improve comfort and mobility.
Can physiotherapy help pelvic girdle pain after birth?
Yes. Many women continue to experience symptoms after delivery. A personalised rehabilitation programme can help improve movement, strength and confidence.
Will I need to stop exercising?
Not necessarily. In many cases, physiotherapy helps you modify activity safely rather than stopping exercise completely.
When should I seek help for pelvic girdle pain?
The sooner symptoms are assessed, the easier it is often to manage them effectively. Early intervention can help prevent symptoms becoming more limiting.
Where can I learn more about pelvic health during pregnancy?
Useful information is available from the NHS and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists:
For additional clinic-specific information, visit our FAQs page.
Start Your Recovery From Pelvic Girdle Pain Today
Pelvic girdle pain can affect every aspect of daily life, but the right support can make a significant difference. At Physiotherapy Torbay, we provide personalised assessment, evidence-based treatment and compassionate guidance to help you move more comfortably throughout pregnancy and postnatal recovery.
Whether your symptoms are new, worsening or continuing after birth, we’re here to help you understand what’s happening and create a plan that supports your goals.