The pain that makes rolling over in bed feel impossible. That stops you mid-step on the stairs. That nobody warned you about. It has a name and it's something we can actually do something about.
By: Dr. Fabiola Menéndez, DC, CACCP, Webster Certified
Vibra Chiropractic — Woodstock, GA
Prenatal Chiropractic• 6 min read
Quick answer: Pubic symphysis dysfunction, also called SPD or pelvic girdle pain, occurs when the joint at the front of the pelvis becomes unstable or inflamed, typically due to the hormonal and structural changes of pregnancy. It produces sharp, stabbing, or grinding pain in the pubic area, inner thighs, hips, and lower back, and is often significantly worsened by everyday movements like walking, climbing stairs, turning in bed, or separating the legs. Chiropractic care addresses SPD by restoring pelvic balance, reducing sacroiliac joint dysfunction, and supporting the ligamentous structures of the pelvis, providing real, meaningful relief without medication.
I want to start by saying something important to anyone reading this who is dealing with SPD: what you are experiencing is real, it is significant, and you don't have to just push through it.
SPD is one of the most undertreated and underacknowledged conditions in pregnancy — partly because it's sometimes dismissed as just "normal pregnancy pain," and partly because many providers don't have a lot to offer beyond a support belt and the advice to rest. But SPD can range from deeply uncomfortable to genuinely debilitating, and for the moms who are dealing with the more severe end of that spectrum, being told to rest and wait it out is not an acceptable answer.
At Vibra Chiropractic in Woodstock, GA, SPD is something we evaluate and treat regularly. Here's what you need to know.
What the pubic symphysis actually is
The pelvis is made up of three bones — the two iliac bones on either side, and the sacrum at the back. At the very front of the pelvis, the two iliac bones are connected by a joint called the pubic symphysis — a fibrocartilaginous joint held together by strong ligaments that normally allows very little movement.
During pregnancy, the hormone relaxin loosens those ligaments throughout the body to allow the pelvis to expand for birth. In most pregnancies, this process is gradual and manageable. In some pregnancies, the pubic symphysis becomes overly mobile — moving and shifting in ways it isn't designed to — creating inflammation, instability, and significant pain.
SPD isn't just "pelvic pain." It's a specific instability of a specific joint — and when you understand the anatomy, it makes complete sense why rolling over in bed or stepping out of a car feels like being split in two.
What SPD feels like
The symptoms of SPD are distinctive once you know what to look for — and distinctive enough that many women recognize themselves immediately when they first read a description of it.
Sharp, stabbing, or grinding pain directly over the pubic bone — the area right above the genitals at the front center of the pelvis
Pain that radiates into the inner thighs, hips, lower back, or even down the legs
Pain with weight-bearing on one leg — stepping up stairs, stepping over a threshold, getting in and out of a car
A clicking, grinding, or popping sensation in the pelvic area with movement
Significant worsening with separating the legs — getting out of bed, getting dressed, turning over in bed
A waddling gait as the body automatically shortens its stride to reduce pelvic movement
Pain that is often worse at night and after periods of activity
Why some pregnancies develop SPD and others don't
SPD is more common than most people realize — estimates suggest it affects a significant percentage of pregnancies, with varying degrees of severity. Several factors increase the likelihood of developing it:
Factors that contribute to SPD in pregnancy
Previous SPD in a prior pregnancy — the ligaments may already have a tendency toward laxity
Pre-existing pelvic asymmetry or sacroiliac joint dysfunction before pregnancy
Hypermobility — women whose joints are naturally more mobile are more susceptible
History of pelvic trauma or injury
Carrying multiples or a large baby — increased mechanical load on the pelvic structures
Prolonged standing or asymmetrical postures at work
How chiropractic care addresses SPD
The pubic symphysis doesn't exist in isolation. Its stability and function are directly connected to the sacroiliac joints at the back of the pelvis, the sacrum, and the surrounding musculature and ligaments. When any part of that pelvic system is imbalanced or restricted, it affects the entire structure — including the pubic symphysis at the front.
At Vibra Chiropractic, evaluating SPD includes a thorough assessment of the whole pelvic complex — not just the front where the pain is, but the sacroiliac joints, the sacrum, the lumbar spine, and the soft tissue structures that connect everything. Because the source of the instability and the location of the pain are not always the same place.
HOW WE APPROACH SPA AT VIBRA
Gentle Webster Technique adjustments to restore balance to the sacrum and pelvis — reducing the asymmetrical forces that are overloading the pubic symphysis
Sacroiliac joint assessment and care — SI joint dysfunction is frequently present alongside SPD and contributes to the overall instability
Soft tissue work on the muscles and ligaments around the pelvis that are in a state of protective guarding
Kinesiology taping for pelvic support — KT tape applied to the pelvis and lower abdomen can provide meaningful external support between visits, reducing load on the pubic symphysis during daily activity
Specific guidance on positions, movements, and activities to avoid — and modifications that make daily life more manageable while the pelvis is being supported back toward stability
What you can do at home
In addition to chiropractic care, there are practical strategies that significantly reduce the daily burden of SPD:
Keep your knees together when moving — getting in and out of bed, getting dressed, getting in and out of a car. Rotating as a unit rather than separating the legs reduces shear force at the pubic symphysis significantly
Use a pregnancy pillow between your knees at night — keeping the hips aligned during sleep reduces the strain on the pelvic ligaments overnight
Avoid asymmetrical positions — standing on one leg, crossing the legs, sitting on the floor with legs splayed. Even brief asymmetrical loading can significantly aggravate SPD
Take smaller steps when walking — a shortened stride reduces the rotational force through the pelvis with each step
Sit to put on shoes and pants — standing on one leg to dress is one of the most common aggravating activities
A pelvic support belt — worn around the hips (not the waist) can provide additional external stability between chiropractic visits
Does SPD resolve after birth?
For most women, yes — SPD improves significantly after delivery as relaxin levels decline and the pelvic ligaments re-stabilize. However, the timeline varies and some women continue to experience pelvic instability into the postpartum period, particularly while breastfeeding when relaxin levels remain somewhat elevated.
Postpartum chiropractic care is an important part of recovery for moms who had SPD during pregnancy — reassessing the pelvic alignment after delivery and supporting the re-stabilization process. We don't consider the care complete just because the baby has arrived.
You were not warned about this, but you don't have to manage it alone
SPD is one of those pregnancy experiences that catches people completely off guard. It's not in most pregnancy books. It's not always discussed at prenatal appointments. And when it develops, often suddenly, sometimes in the second trimester, many women don't know what's happening or where to turn.
If this sounds like what you've been experiencing, come in. We'll evaluate the full picture, explain exactly what we find, and put together a plan that gives you real relief not just advice to rest and wait.
Dealing with sharp pelvic pain that's making daily life difficult? You don't have to push through it alone. Come in for an evaluation and let's build a plan that gives you real relief. Learn more about prenatal & postpartum chiropractic care in Woodstock, GA. Serving Woodstock, Canton, Holly Springs, and Cherokee County — in English and Español.
Book a visit at Vibra Chiropractic
About the author: Dr. Fabiola Menéndez, DC, CACCP, Webster Certified, is a pediatric and prenatal chiropractor at Vibra Chiropractic in Woodstock, GA. She holds the CACCP certification through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) and is Webster Technique certified. She practices in English and Spanish and serves families throughout Cherokee & Cobb County.
Vibra Chiropractic | 12035 Highway 92, Suite 400, Woodstock, GA 30188
Serving Woodstock, Canton, Holly Springs, Acworth, Marietta, Kennesaw, Cobb & Cherokee County | English & Spanish
Frequently Asked Questions
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Pubic symphysis dysfunction is a condition in which the joint at the front of the pelvis — which normally allows very little movement — becomes unstable or inflamed due to the hormonal and structural changes of pregnancy. The hormone relaxin loosens the ligaments that hold this joint together, and in some pregnancies the joint becomes overly mobile, creating sharp pain, instability, and significant difficulty with everyday movements like walking, climbing stairs, and turning in bed.
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SPD has some specific characteristics that distinguish it from general pregnancy discomfort. Look for sharp or grinding pain directly over the pubic bone at the front center of the pelvis, significant worsening with separating the legs or bearing weight on one leg, a clicking or grinding sensation with movement, and pain that radiates into the inner thighs or hips. If rolling over in bed, getting out of a car, or climbing stairs produces sharp pubic pain, SPD is worth evaluating.
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Yes. Chiropractic care for SPD focuses on restoring balance to the pelvis as a whole — addressing sacroiliac joint dysfunction, sacral misalignment, and soft tissue tension that contribute to instability at the pubic symphysis. At Vibra Chiropractic, we also use kinesiology taping to provide external pelvic support between visits and give specific guidance on positions and movements that reduce daily aggravation. Most patients notice meaningful improvement with consistent care.
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For most women, SPD improves significantly after delivery as relaxin levels decline and the pelvic ligaments re-stabilize. However, some women continue to experience pelvic instability into the postpartum period, particularly while breastfeeding. Postpartum chiropractic care is important for moms who had SPD during pregnancy — supporting the re-stabilization process and addressing any residual pelvic imbalance after delivery.
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Yes. Dr. Fabiola Menéndez at Vibra Chiropractic is Webster Technique certified and CACCP-certified through the ICPA, and regularly evaluates and treats pubic symphysis dysfunction and pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy. Vibra Chiropractic is located at 12035 Highway 92, Suite 400, Woodstock, GA 30188, serving Woodstock, Canton, Holly Springs, Acworth, and Cherokee County. Book online at vibrachiro.com or call (678) 614-1654. Bilingual care in English and Spanish is available.
