Pelvic Girdle Pain in Pregnancy: How Physiotherapy Helps in Cape Town

Pelvic girdle pain is common in pregnancy, and it can turn everyday movements like walking, climbing stairs or turning over in bed into a real struggle. If you are pregnant in Cape Town and feeling pain around your pelvis, hips or lower back, you do not simply have to put up with it. Physiotherapy can help you understand what is happening and give you practical ways to move more comfortably. Here is what pelvic girdle pain is and how physiotherapy supports you through it.

What is pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy?

Pelvic girdle pain, sometimes called PGP, is pain felt around the joints of the pelvis during pregnancy. It can show up at the front of the pelvis, across the lower back, or deep in the buttocks, and it often flares with activities like walking, standing on one leg to get dressed, or rolling over in bed. As pregnancy progresses, hormones soften the ligaments and your growing baby changes how you carry weight, which can put extra strain on the pelvic joints. It is common, it is not something you have caused, and importantly it can be helped.

What causes it, and is it normal?

A mix of factors contributes to pelvic girdle pain. Hormonal changes increase ligament laxity, your centre of gravity shifts forwards, and the muscles that support the pelvis can struggle to keep up with these changes. Some women feel it early, others only in the later months. While pelvic girdle pain is common, common does not mean you should ignore it. Left unaddressed it can affect your sleep, your mood and your ability to stay active, so it is worth getting support rather than waiting it out.

How does physiotherapy help pelvic girdle pain?

A women's health physiotherapist assesses how your pelvis, hips and lower back are moving and where the strain is coming from. From there, treatment may include gentle hands on techniques to ease pain, specific exercises to support the muscles around your pelvis, and advice on positions and daily movements that reduce the load on the joints. You might learn easier ways to get in and out of the car, turn over in bed, or manage stairs. Some women benefit from a support belt or simple changes to how they stand and sit. The aim is to help you move with less pain and more confidence through the rest of your pregnancy.

What can you do day to day?

Small adjustments often make a real difference. Keeping your knees together when turning in bed or getting out of the car, avoiding standing on one leg while dressing, and taking stairs one step at a time can all reduce flare ups. Staying gently active within a comfortable range helps more than resting completely, and pacing your day so you are not on your feet for long unbroken stretches can ease the strain. Your physiotherapist will tailor this advice to your body, because what helps one person is not always right for another.

When should you see a physiotherapist in Cape Town?

It is worth reaching out as soon as pelvic pain starts to affect your daily life, rather than waiting until it becomes severe. Early support tends to make things easier to manage. At Peak Movement in Cape Town, Tasneem Kader works with pregnant women to assess pelvic girdle pain and build a simple, practical plan to keep you moving comfortably. If your pain is severe, came on suddenly, or is linked to other symptoms, mention this so it can be looked at appropriately.

Frequently asked questions

Will pelvic girdle pain go away after birth?

For many women pelvic girdle pain eases in the weeks after birth as hormones settle and the load of pregnancy lifts. Physiotherapy can support your recovery during this time and help you rebuild strength around the pelvis. If pain persists after birth, a women's health physiotherapist can assess and guide you.

Is it safe to exercise with pelvic girdle pain?

Gentle, appropriate movement is usually helpful rather than harmful, but the type and amount matter. A physiotherapist can guide you on which exercises support your pelvis and which to modify, so you can stay active without aggravating your symptoms.

Do I need a referral to see a women's health physiotherapist?

In South Africa you can usually see a physiotherapist directly without a referral. If you are unsure about your medical aid cover, the practice can talk you through it when you book.

Book with Tasneem

Tasneem Kader offers women's health physiotherapy for pelvic girdle pain at Peak Movement in Cape Town. Book a session with Tasneem to get a clear assessment and a practical plan to move through your pregnancy more comfortably.