Pubic symphysis disorder is pain arising from the joint at the front of the pelvis, where the two halves of the pelvic ring meet. It is a common part of pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain, though it can affect others too, and while it can be genuinely uncomfortable and limiting, it usually responds well to supportive, hands-on care and the right advice. At Back in Action in Penwortham, we care for people across Preston and Lancashire with pelvic and pubic-related pain.
Understanding pubic symphysis disorder
The pubic symphysis is a small but important joint at the very front of the pelvis, where the left and right halves of the pelvic ring meet and are joined together. Unlike a typical mobile joint, it is held firmly by strong ligaments and normally allows only a tiny amount of movement. Its role is to help the pelvis function as a stable ring, sharing load between the spine and the legs. When the joint becomes irritated, or when the normal balance of stability and movement is disturbed, it can become a source of pain at the front of the pelvis.
This is one of several closely related pelvic problems, and it frequently occurs alongside sacroiliac joint issues, since the pelvis works as a single unit. It is particularly associated with pregnancy, when natural hormonal changes relax the ligaments and the growing baby alters how the pelvis is loaded — part of what is often described as pelvic girdle pain.
If you are experiencing this in pregnancy, it helps to know that it is common, well recognised, and not a sign that anything is wrong with you or your baby. It can be uncomfortable and frustrating, but it is usually manageable with the right support and advice, and it commonly improves after birth as the body recovers.
What it can feel like
Symptoms vary, but commonly include:
- Pain at the front of the pelvis, felt over or just below the pubic area
- Tenderness if the area is pressed
- Pain that can spread to the groin, inner thighs or lower abdomen
- Discomfort with walking, climbing stairs, or standing on one leg
- Pain that can disturb sleep, particularly when turning over
- Pain when turning over in bed or getting in and out of a car
- A waddling pattern of walking when symptoms are at their most uncomfortable
- Sometimes a clicking or grinding sensation at the front of the pelvis
- Pain that is often worse after activity and eases with rest
Activities that involve parting the legs or shifting weight from one leg to the other tend to be particularly uncomfortable, and many people notice the pain is worse after a busy or active day and eases with rest.
Common causes and risk factors
Pubic symphysis disorder can develop for several reasons, including:
- Pregnancy and the period after birth, when ligaments are more relaxed and loading changes
- Altered movement or imbalance across the pelvis
- A fall, awkward movement or sporting strain involving the pelvis
- Weakness in the muscles that stabilise the pelvis and hips
- Repetitive or one-sided activities that load the pelvis unevenly
Part of our assessment is understanding how the whole pelvis is moving and loading, since the pubic symphysis rarely needs to be considered in isolation. The sacroiliac joints, the hips and the muscles that control the pelvis all play their part, and considering them together tends to give the best results.
When to seek help
Pubic and pelvic pain is worth having assessed, particularly when it is limiting your daily activities. If you are pregnant, it is also worth letting your midwife or maternity team know, as pelvic girdle pain is well recognised and there is good support available. As with any pelvic or low back pain, please seek urgent medical attention if you develop difficulty controlling your bladder or bowels, numbness around the back passage or inner thighs, or if you feel generally unwell with a fever.
How chiropractic care can help
Chiropractors care for many people with pelvic-related pain, including during and after pregnancy. The aim of our care is to ease your discomfort, support the stability of the pelvis, and give you practical strategies for daily life, so that you can stay as comfortable and mobile as possible. Following a thorough assessment, our hands-on, drug-free care may include gentle mobilisation of the pelvis and lower back, soft-tissue work, and rehabilitation exercises to improve the strength and control of the muscles that stabilise the pelvis. Several of our practitioners have additional training in pregnancy-related care, so expectant patients can be seen by someone experienced in the gentle, well-supported approaches that suit this stage. We will always be honest about what care can realistically offer, and work alongside your maternity team where relevant.
What to expect at Back in Action
Your first visit is mostly about understanding your pain and how it affects you. We will take a careful history and carry out a gentle, appropriate examination of the pelvis, lower back and hips, taking particular care if you are pregnant. We will explain what we have found in plain language and discuss whether chiropractic care is appropriate. If you are pregnant, your comfort and reassurance are a priority throughout, and we will adapt everything we do to suit this stage. You can read more on our new patients page, with current charges on the fees page, and we will review your progress as we go.
Helping yourself: self-care and prevention
There is plenty you can do to ease pubic and pelvic pain, much of it about reducing strain across the joint:
- Keep your knees together when turning over in bed or getting in and out of a car
- Avoid activities that part the legs widely, at least while symptoms are settling
- Take stairs one step at a time, leading with the same leg, if that is more comfortable
- Plan rest breaks into busy or active days before the pain builds up
- Balance activity with rest, and avoid standing on one leg to dress — sit down to put on trousers, socks or shoes
- Work gently on the strength and control of the pelvic and hip muscles over time
If you would like guidance tailored to you, we can build self-care and exercise advice into your care plan, adapted to your situation. Simple changes to how you move through the day — the way you get out of bed, climb stairs or get dressed — often bring noticeable relief, and they cost nothing to try.
Related conditions and treatments
Pubic symphysis disorder is closely linked to sacroiliac joint syndrome, hip, groin and pelvis pain and low back pain, so reading about those may help. The care we provide draws on approaches such as chiropractic manipulation, pregnancy-related techniques and exercise and rehabilitation, and may form part of a wider plan alongside our chiropractic and physiotherapy services.
Take the first step
If pubic or pelvic pain is getting in the way of your life, you do not have to simply put up with it. We are happy to talk it through and help you understand your options. You can get in touch to book an appointment, or to ask any questions before your first visit.