There is a particular kind of pain that makes ordinary moments feel impossible. Rolling over in bed. Climbing a single stair. Shifting your weight from one leg to the other. If you have experienced any of these, pelvic girdle pain may be the reason, and it is far more common and far more treatable than most people realize.
What Is Pelvic Girdle Pain?
Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is pain that originates from the joints and ligaments of the pelvic region, specifically the sacroiliac joints at the back of the pelvis, the pubic symphysis at the front, and the surrounding soft tissues. The pelvic girdle is the ring of bones that connects your spine to your legs, and when its joints become stiff, inflamed, or move unevenly, the result is pain that can radiate into the lower back, groin, hips, thighs, and even the knees.
While pelvic girdle pain is frequently discussed in the context of pregnancy, it is not limited to it. Men, non-pregnant women, and older adults can all develop PGP, and in many cases, it goes undiagnosed for months because it is mistaken for general lower back pain or a hip problem.
Who Gets Pelvic Girdle Pain?
PGP does not discriminate as much as people assume. Commonly affected groups include:
- Pregnant and postpartum women: hormonal changes during pregnancy loosen pelvic ligaments to prepare for childbirth, which can destabilise the joint complex and lead to significant pain
- People with a history of lower back or sacroiliac problems: previous spinal issues alter the way load is distributed through the pelvis
- Those who have experienced pelvic trauma, falls, road accidents, or sports injuries that directly impact the pelvis
- People with sedentary jobs or poor posture: prolonged sitting or standing, especially with asymmetric posture, place uneven stress on pelvic joints over time. This is increasingly common among desk workers managing occupational pain
- Post-surgical patients: procedures such as hip replacement or hysterectomy can sometimes alter pelvic mechanics and trigger PGP
Inflammatory conditions such as sacroiliitis and ankylosing spondylitis can also cause pain in the same region and need to be ruled out during diagnosis.
Recognising the Symptoms
Pelvic girdle pain can feel different for different people, which is one reason it is frequently misidentified. Common symptoms include:
- A deep, sharp, or aching pain in the lower back, buttocks, or across the pubic bone
- Pain that worsens when standing on one leg, climbing stairs, getting dressed, or stepping out of a car
- A clicking or grinding sensation in the pelvic area
- Pain when rolling over in bed or changing sitting position
- Discomfort that radiates into the groin, inner thigh, or hip
- Increased pain after prolonged sitting, standing, or walking
- Morning stiffness that eases as the day progresses or, conversely, pain that builds through the day
If several of these sound familiar, a proper clinical evaluation is the essential next step. Self-management without diagnosis tends to prolong the problem
Also read: Lordosis Explained: Causes, Symptoms & How to Correct It
Why Pelvic Girdle Pain Is Frequently Missed
One of the most frustrating aspects of PGP for patients is how long it takes to receive an accurate diagnosis. Because the pain often mirrors lower back pain or hip problems, people are sometimes treated for the wrong condition, with little improvement.
The sacroiliac joint, which connects the sacrum to the iliac bones of the pelvis, is particularly difficult to assess with standard imaging alone. An MRI or X-ray may show minimal changes even when the joint is significantly irritated. A proper diagnosis requires a physical examination that tests joint mobility, load-bearing, and specific provocation tests, not imaging alone.
At Nivaan, our interventional pain specialists assess the full picture: posture, movement patterns, muscle balance, and nerve function, alongside imaging where relevant. This approach identifies the actual pain source rather than treating the most obvious symptom.
Non-Surgical Pelvic Girdle Pain Treatment
The good news is that the majority of people with PGP respond well to non-surgical treatment. Surgery is rarely required, and with the right combination of targeted interventions and rehabilitation, meaningful, lasting relief is achievable.
Physiotherapy and Pelvic Stabilisation
Structured physiotherapy is the cornerstone of pelvic girdle pain treatment. A trained physiotherapist will assess your specific movement patterns and design a program focused on:
- Strengthening the deep core, gluteal, and pelvic floor muscles that support the joint
- Correcting asymmetric loading patterns that stress the sacroiliac joint
- Manual therapy to improve joint mobility and reduce stiffness
- Postural correction for daily activities, including sitting, standing, and sleep position
Rehabilitation at Nivaan is personalized and progresses in stages from pain control to functional restoration rather than following a generic protocol.
Sacroiliac Joint Injections
When physiotherapy alone is insufficient, or when acute inflammation is making movement-based rehabilitation too painful to begin, image-guided sacroiliac joint injections can provide targeted, fast relief. These injections deliver anti-inflammatory medication precisely to the affected joint under fluoroscopy or ultrasound guidance, not blindly, ensuring accuracy and minimizing risk.
For many patients, a single injection creates enough of a window of reduced pain to engage fully with rehabilitation, which then sustains the result.
Radiofrequency Ablation (for Chronic PGP)
For patients with long-standing sacroiliac joint pain that has not responded sufficiently to injections and physiotherapy, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) offers a longer-lasting option. RFA uses controlled heat energy delivered via a fine needle to interrupt the pain signals from the specific nerves supplying the joint. Relief typically lasts between 6 and 18 months, and the procedure can be repeated if needed.
This is a particularly valuable option for patients who have found temporary relief with diagnostic nerve blocks, confirming that the sacroiliac joint is the primary pain source.
Regenerative Therapies
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is an emerging option for selected patients with PGP linked to ligament laxity or joint degeneration. PRP uses concentrated growth factors from the patient’s own blood to support tissue repair and reduce chronic inflammation. It is particularly relevant for postpartum patients with persistent ligament-related pelvic instability.
Pain Counselling and Lifestyle Support
Chronic pelvic pain has a documented psychological dimension. Long-standing pain alters how the nervous system processes and amplifies signals, a phenomenon known as “central sensitization.” At Nivaan, our pain counselors work alongside the clinical team to address the fear, anxiety, and activity avoidance that often develop alongside PGP, which are factors that can significantly slow recovery if left unaddressed.
Nutrition guidance is also integrated into the treatment plan, as diet plays a meaningful role in managing systemic inflammation.
Also read: Middle and Upper Back Pain: Causes and Exercises That Help
What to Expect from Treatment
Recovery timelines vary based on how long the pain has been present and its severity. As a general guide:
- Acute PGP (present for weeks to a few months) typically responds well within 4–8 weeks of structured treatment
- Chronic PGP (present for 6 months or more) requires a more graduated approach, but still achieves significant improvement in most cases
- Postpartum PGP often resolves with targeted physiotherapy within 2–4 months, though cases where joint instability is the primary driver may take longer
The most important factor is early diagnosis. Patients who receive a clear diagnosis and structured treatment early in the course of PGP recover faster and with fewer complications than those who manage alone or with general painkillers.
When to See a Pain Specialist?
Consult a specialist if:
- Pelvic pain has persisted for more than 4 weeks without improvement
- Pain is affecting your ability to walk, sleep, or carry out daily activities
- You are postpartum and experiencing ongoing pelvic or lower back pain
- General physiotherapy or rest has not provided lasting relief
- You are managing with painkillers, but the underlying problem remains untreated
Pelvic girdle pain is not something you simply have to live with. With the right diagnosis and a structured, non-surgical treatment plan, it is a condition that can be meaningfully and lastingly resolved.
At Nivaan Care, our multidisciplinary team, including interventional pain specialists, physiotherapists, and pain counsellors, works together to identify the exact source of your pelvic pain and treat it at the root.