Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction?

[cameragirl]

I'm 21 weeks along, and started having sacroiliac pain about two weeks ago. I didn't deal with this last time, but I am MUCH bigger in the belly with this being my second getting this far along. (My abs are not in the same shape, and my uterus was in a completely different position last time as well.) I look easily 7 months pregnant. Anyways, I see a chiropractor trained in pregnancy care, and she has been adjusting me every week. I'll see her again tomorrow. Adjustments help some, but I'm wondering if anything else may help.

[AdinaL]

I have SI joint pain when I am not pregnant, and the things that have helped me are tough to do while pregnant.  Cat/Cow position is helpful, as is child's pose.  Everything else that I can think of would be greatly hindered by a pregnant belly.  Adjustments are a big help, so is heat (at least for me.)  

I hope you get some really good answers.

[cameragirl]

I saw my chiropractor today, and my pelvis was popping while I was changing my position on the table. In two weeks I've gone from incredibly stiff to hyper-mobile in several areas. She recommended some ice, and said to take it easy. She firmly said no sweeping or vacuuming, since they'll make that worse. My husband was in the room and heard that. Sorry, DH! I'm going to try some exercises to see if it helps. I already have mobility issues, so it is important that I don't lose what ability I have to walk so that I can stay relatively fit.

[cameragirl]

I've asked a few sources, and the choices of rehab exercises during pregnancy are pretty few. Have any of you had luck with a support belt? I'm tempted to call my OB and chiro to see what they say about the belts.

[L'lee]

I get pain there and in the front of my pelvic bones also (PSD). I recently read Cecile Rost's "Relieving pelvic pain during and after pregnancy" and it had some exercises that may be helpful, I need to try to do the "starter" exercise more often - it hurts, but she says after you do it a bit it won't hurt any more. She also says that the advice to keep your legs together actually makes it worse and has lots of tips on how to do regular activities in a way that doesn't hurt your body.

You're probably doing one of the best things you can do, seeing a chiro. I hear PTs can also be helpful. I started seeing a chiro half way through my last pregnancy for this kind of thing and I'd say my pain got a little worse before having DS, but not at the same rate as it had been before getting treatment. This time, I've been going to the chiro since before I was pregnant and it's not nearly as bad as last time, pretty painful sometimes still though especially when I overdo it.

I also like Julie Tupler's "Maternal Fitness" for great pregnancy exercises that can help support the pelvic and ab muscles.

I have a support belt I got from Motherhood Maternity - a very simple elastic belt. I use it sometimes when I know I'll be walking or standing a lot, but I don't want to use it too much because I think it is good for those muscles to get used not just supported and dependent on a belt - KWIM?

[cameragirl]

Thank you for the suggestions. As for the belt, I think it might helpful when we go out to run errands, but I don't think I'd wear it around the house. I've read that some say they help, some don't get any relief. I'm sure I'd be in worse shape if I hadn't already been getting chiropractic treatment. I go in every 7-10 days for the pregnancy and also for the neurological condition I have. It feels so good to walk out of there with my muscles loose and my back not hurting.

[L'lee]

I'm definitely glad to be going to the chiropractor!

My chiro has some belts that are a bit more substantial than the one I have, but I kind of like having a simple strap. I call this baby "the rock in my belly" (or boxer, lol!) and I remember my son felt like that too, so pulling my uterus up definitely takes some pressure off of my pelvic bones. I have dense kids, I guess!  :)

[eireann]

Yes, I had that when pregnant, and still deal with those issues. Ugh...its no fun! Ice seemed to help, as did the PT's manipulations. She tried to get me to recruit my abdominal muscles and pelvic floor (safely) and that seemed to help. She also put a band on my belly, which was 50/50 on whether it helped or not. I feel for you!

[falafala]

I know that I was told that any activity where my knee crossed the center of my body to got the other side makes it worse.

My chirorpactor told me to avoid things like crossing my knees, sleeping at night without a pillow between my knees, etc. If I did stretches I was supposed to keep my legs parallel with my shoulders.

He also recommended an SI belt. That helped a lot.

Here is his blog about SI and pelvic pain, it has a lot of other good tips.

http://backpainandpregnancy.blogspot.com/2008/09/understanding-pelvic-pain-in-pregnancy.html

[NicoleT]

My clients have benefited from vitamins, Aromatherapy and Reflexology.  You may these options helpful as well.

Take good care,

Nicole

[Fern5Fern]

I have this pain with every pregnancy (this is #3 for me), doing gentle yoga helps quite a lot.  I like the sequence in the book "Active Birth".  Squatting gives me the most relief of any stretch.  I have a motherhood belt too, and use it whenever I know I"ll be on my feet for a long time, the biggest downside for me is that it makes me have to pee about every 15 minutes.  

[falafala]

SI pain is really common, I had it along with SPD and was in awful pain until I started wearing an SI belt. Here is the one I really liked, because it wasn't too tight and fit comfortably under my clothes.

http://backpainandpregnancy.blogspot.com/2012/01/wat-is-si-or-sacroiliac-joint.html