Back pain, hip discomfort, and pelvic girdle pain are common during pregnancy, affecting many women at some point as the body adapts to a growing bump and shifting center of gravity. While these discomforts are common, they don’t have to simply be endured. Physiotherapy for back pain during pregnancy focuses on identifying the specific source of discomfort — whether it’s the lower back, pelvic joints, sciatic nerve, or round ligaments — and guiding safe, individualized relief.
This page explains common types of pregnancy-related pain, why they happen, and how physiotherapy may help you move more comfortably through your pregnancy.
As pregnancy progresses, hormonal changes loosen the ligaments supporting the pelvis and spine to prepare the body for delivery, while the growing bump shifts posture and increases load on the lower back and pelvis. This combination can lead to several distinct types of discomfort, including general lower back pain, pelvic girdle pain, sciatica-like symptoms, or round ligament pain — each with a different underlying cause and a different approach to relief.
Pregnancy-related pain can present in several ways, including:
Aching or stiffness in the lower back, especially by the end of the day
Pain around the pelvis, hips, or groin that worsens with walking or turning in bed
Sharp or shooting pain radiating from the lower back or buttock down the leg, associated with sciatica during pregnancy
Sharp, brief pain on one or both sides of the lower abdomen, often linked to round ligament pain, especially with sudden movement
Pregnancy hip pain that affects sleep or comfortable positioning
Because these patterns have different underlying causes, identifying which type of pain you’re experiencing is an important first step toward appropriate relief.
Pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy often results from increased joint laxity combined with the added mechanical load of pregnancy, affecting the joints connecting the pelvis. Sciatica during pregnancy can occur when the growing uterus or postural changes place pressure on or irritate the sciatic nerve pathway. Round ligament pain happens as the ligaments supporting the uterus stretch to accommodate its growth, which can cause sudden, sharp pain with certain movements. General back pain often results from a combination of postural shifts, core muscle changes, and the added weight pregnancy brings to the spine.
A physiotherapist can assess your posture, movement patterns, and specific pain triggers to identify which structures are likely involved, then guide a treatment approach tailored to that cause. This may include gentle manual therapy, posture correction guidance, targeted strengthening for supporting muscles, guidance on safe positions for sleep and daily activities, and specific exercises depending on whether your pain relates to the pelvis, sciatic nerve, or round ligaments. Treatment is individualized and adjusted as your pregnancy progresses.
An initial visit typically involves discussing when your pain started, what movements or positions worsen or ease it, and your overall pregnancy history. A physiotherapist will assess your posture, movement, and the specific location and pattern of your pain to help determine the likely source, then design a plan accordingly. This assessment is generally straightforward and non-invasive, focusing on movement and posture rather than internal examination.
This approach may be worth considering if you're experiencing ongoing back pain, pelvic or hip discomfort that's affecting daily movement or sleep, shooting leg pain associated with sciatica, or sharp abdominal-area pain linked to round ligament stretching.
Relief often depends on the underlying cause — pelvic joint-related pain and muscular hip pain respond to different approaches. A physiotherapy assessment can help identify what's contributing to your specific discomfort.
Treatment may include manual therapy, targeted exercises, and guidance on movement patterns and positions that reduce strain on the pelvic joints, tailored to your individual assessment.
Physiotherapy can often help manage sciatica-related symptoms during pregnancy through posture guidance, targeted exercises, and movement modifications, depending on the specific cause identified during assessment.
Gentle stretching, posture adjustments, and guidance on movement techniques that reduce sudden strain on the ligaments may help, though this is best guided by an individual assessment.
Yes, physiotherapy approaches for pregnancy-related pain are generally adapted specifically for pregnancy and take your stage of pregnancy and any medical guidance into account.
If you’re experiencing back, pelvic, or hip pain during pregnancy, you can contact Shakthi Women’s Physiotherapy in Chennai to discuss an assessment and find an approach suited to your specific discomfort.
The information on this page is intended for general educational purposes and does not replace medical advice from your obstetrician.
Dedicated to empowering women through specialized physiotherapy care. We provide compassionate, evidence-based treatment for all stages of a woman’s life.
© 2026 Shakthi Women’s Physiotherapy ❤︎ Made with in Chennai
Dedicated to empowering women through specialized physiotherapy care. We provide compassionate, evidence-based treatment for all stages of a woman’s life.
© 2026 Shakthi Women’s Physiotherapy. Made with in Chennai