Pregnancy-related Pelvic Girdle Pain: Irish Physiotherapists’ Perspectives

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) represents a common condition with implications for persistence. Currently, a practice gap appears to exist related to the assessment and management of pregnancy-related PGP. This study explored Irish physiotherapists’ perspectives of PPGP. Methods: A survey from previous Canadian research was adapted and used to determine Irish physiotherapist’s perspectives regarding PPGP. Women’s health physiotherapists, private and public sector, were invited to complete an electronic survey. Results: Sixty of the 122 invited physiotherapists completed the survey for a response rate of 49%. Of these, 98% agreed that relevant health care providers need to be able to recognize a PPGP presentation, and 80% believed PPGP to be a complex clinical presentation requiring early detection and associated care. The vast majority of perspectives related to etiology and treatment focused on musculoskeletal influences, however addressing fear (84%) and employing pain neuroscience education (82%) were also indicated to be very important. Conclusion: Pregnancy-related PGP is a distinct presentation of PGP impacting women in the perinatal period and beyond differs in etiology due to perinatal and associated bio psychosocial influences. Irish physiotherapists perceive a number of important evolving psychosocial characteristics of PPGP, however unsubstantiated strong perspectives related to biomechanics and pelvic stability were also found. Knowledge translation efforts to support the provision of evidence- informed care are needed.