Pelvic Girdle Pain in Pregnancy: The Benefits of Red Light Therapy
While the anticipation of welcoming your new baby is exciting it can also bring discomfort and challenges. One common issue many pregnant women face is pelvic girdle pain (PGP/SPD). There are lots of ways you can help yourself if you find this is an issue for you - but I have yet to find anything that works as well as photobiomodulation (red light therapy) for women to self treat alongside other therapies (most of my clients don’t need any other therapies other than their red light belt).
Why Pelvic Girdle Pain Happens
Pelvic girdle pain is a condition that affects the pelvic joints and can cause pain in the front and back of the pelvis. It occurs in up to 20% of pregnant women and can range from mild discomfort to severe pain requiring heavy duty medication.
Why is PGP so common in pregnancy - you may be surprised that stress is a key factor:
Hormonal Changes: During pregnancy, the body produces hormones like relaxin, which loosen the ligaments in the pelvis to prepare for childbirth. This increased laxity can lead to instability and pain.
Postural Changes: As the pregnancy progresses, the growing baby changes the center of gravity, leading to altered posture and increased stress on the pelvic joints.
Weight Gain: The additional weight gained during pregnancy puts extra pressure on the pelvic region, exacerbating discomfort.
Previous Pelvic Trauma: Women who have had previous pelvic injuries or conditions may be more susceptible to PGP during pregnancy.
Stress & Cortisol: Sinéad Dufour is a brilliant Canadian physiotherapist and scientist who focuses on helping women with pelvic girdle pain (PGP) during pregnancy. She discovered that this pain isn’t just caused by loose or unstable bones, it's a complex problem that involves the nervous system, the brain, and even how we think and feel. For example, being afraid of pain or feeling stressed out can make the pain worse, because the brain and nerves become more sensitive. Sinéad also found that other things like poor sleep, changes in gut health, and inflammation can have an impact on pain. She encourages doctors and patients to look at the whole person, not just the pelvis - when treating this pain. Sinéad’s work helps women understand that moving, relaxing, and taking care of their mental health can all play a big part in feeling better during pregnancy.
Self-Help Strategies for Managing Pelvic Girdle Pain
While PGP can be challenging, several self-help strategies can alleviate discomfort and improve mobility:
Stress Management: Use the GentleBirth app’s daily ‘brain training’ during your pregnancy to reduce stress significantly and prepare you for a fear free, more comfortable birth.
Exercise: Engage in gentle exercises like swimming, walking, and prenatal yoga to strengthen the muscles around the pelvis. Pelvic floor exercises can also be beneficial.
Posture: Maintain good posture by standing straight, avoiding slouching, and using supportive chairs. Use pillows to support your back and hips while sitting or sleeping.
Avoid Prolonged Activities: Avoid standing or sitting for long periods. Take frequent breaks and change positions regularly.
Use Supportive Devices: Consider using a pelvic support belt to stabilize the pelvis and reduce pain.
Warm Baths: Soaking in a warm bath can help relax the muscles and alleviate pain (be careful with how far you open your legs stepping in and out).
How to Use A Red Light Belt For Pelvic Pain
Wear the NovaaLab pad for 10 - 20 minutes per area (front of pelvis below the bump, lower back, hips) as often as needed for pain.
Start at 50% irradiance for the first few days and then increase to 100%. Adverse events when using red light therapy are very rare. If you find the device getting too warm change the pulsing to 10 Hz (helpful for inflammation). You’ll likely find that within a week or so you won’t need multiple sessions per day as inflammation is reduced.
Do not place directly over the bump. Red light therapy is deemed safe in pregnancy but there is research lacking in the impact of using devices directly on the abdomen. LEDs don’t penetrate deeply into tissues etc. (An Australian study using red light therapy on prem babies in NICU (27 weeks) for several weeks reported no adverse events - in fact the babies randomized to use the red light therapy all survived - the control group (no red light) had less positive outcomes.
Use the included adjustable straps to comfortably secure the pad; ensure full skin contact for deeper light penetration and optimal pain relief.
Use your NovaaLab pad also for pain management in labor (wear it on the lower back) and postpartum recovery (yes even to accelerate perineal healing or a cesarean incision). This is a tool you (and your partner) are going to use over and over again long after baby arrives.
Recommended Treatments for Pelvic Girdle Pain
Hi Tracy
I was at MAMA in Glasgow last weekend. To be honest I was a bit skeptical when I saw what your talk was about. As it progressed I got more and more interested and just at the end I purchased a machine to try. It has been phenomenal and beyond anything I could have hoped for.
After 2 accidents to her back my daughter has been left with terrible neuropathic pain and needs large doses of opiates. She is also heavily pregnant and suffering from SPD which compounds the situation! On Saturday she maxed out on codeine and had 3 stronger tablets for breakthrough. She could barely walk requiring crutches, a pelvic support belt and KT tape to walk at a very slow pace and very short distances. On Sunday the machine arrived and after 2x30 minute sessions her husband commented that he thought she was moving a little easier. She has continued 30mins x3 daily. By Wednesday she walked upstairs without crutches, has stopped the stronger medication and halved the codeine. She will continue to use the machine and reduce codeine incrementally. Hoping she will be able to use it postnatally and get off painkillers completely.
We are all amazed! She is very grateful!
- Margaret - Midwife
Presenting to Midwives, Students and Medical professionals at the MAMA Conference - Scotland 2024.
Light therapy is the future for gentle, non-invasive, side effect free - pain management in pregnancy.
In addition to self-help strategies, professional treatments can provide significant relief from PGP:
Red Light Therapy: Photobiomodulation in the form of a red light ‘belt’ worn on the skin (below the bump not directly on it) can significantly reduce pain and improve mobility or a hand held laser directed over the joint works even faster. Most women experience relief in the first day of using a red light device directly on the skin.
Physiotherapy: A physiotherapist specializing in pregnancy-related issues can offer tailored exercises and manual therapy to reduce pain and improve function (ask your physio if they use red light therapy).
Chiropractic Care: Chiropractic adjustments can help realign the pelvis and reduce discomfort.
Acupuncture: This traditional Chinese medicine technique can help relieve pain and improve overall well-being.
Massage Therapy: Prenatal massage can help relax tense muscles and alleviate pain in the pelvic region.
Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT), is a non-invasive treatment that uses red and near-infrared light to promote healing and reduce pain. It works by penetrating the skin and stimulating cellular repair processes. Here’s why red light therapy is beneficial for managing PGP:
Pain Relief: Red light therapy helps reduce inflammation and pain by increasing blood flow to the affected area and promoting the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers.
Tissue Repair: The therapy stimulates collagen production and cellular regeneration, which can help repair damaged tissues in the pelvic region.
Non-Invasive: Red light therapy is a safe, non-invasive treatment with no known side effects, making it an excellent option for pregnant women.
Pelvic girdle pain can be a challenging aspect of pregnancy, but understanding its causes and exploring various self-help and professional treatment options can significantly improve your comfort and quality of life both emotionally and physically. Red light therapy offers a promising, non-invasive solution for pain relief and tissue repair.
By combining self-care practices with professional treatments, you can effectively manage pelvic girdle pain and enjoy a more comfortable pregnancy journey.
Tracy
Resources:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12326686/pdf/13643_2025_Article_2902.pdf
