Prenatal Massage for Pelvic Girdle Pain and SPD in San Diego

Pregnancy changes the body quickly.

As your belly grows, your center of gravity shifts, your posture changes, and the muscles around your hips, pelvis, and low back begin working differently. For some women, those changes lead to more than general pregnancy soreness.

You may begin noticing pain when you walk, climb stairs, roll over in bed, get out of the car, stand on one leg, or move your legs apart.

This may be related to pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain, often called PGP. You may also hear the older term symphysis pubis dysfunction, or SPD.

If you are experiencing these symptoms, prenatal massage for pelvic pain in San Diego may be one supportive tool to help redu

ce surrounding muscular tension and make your body feel more comfortable.

At Rebirth Maya Massage in Mission Valley, our prenatal massage sessions are personalized around your stage of pregnancy, symptoms, and comfort level.

What Is Pelvic Girdle Pain During Pregnancy?

Pelvic girdle pain refers to discomfort felt around the joints and tissues of the pelvis.

The pelvic girdle includes the joints at the front and back of the pelvis, including the symphysis pubis joint at the front and the sacroiliac joints near the low back.

Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain is common. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the NHS estimate that it affects approximately 1 in 5 pregnant women.

PGP can affect mobility and quality of life, but it is not considered harmful to the baby.

Is SPD the Same as Pelvic Girdle Pain?

The terms are often used interchangeably, but today pelvic girdle pain is the broader term generally used by healthcare professionals.

SPD traditionally referred more specifically to discomfort involving the pubic symphysis joint at the front of the pelvis.

RCOG explains that PGP can involve pain at the front or back of the pelvis and may also affect the hips and thighs.

So if someone tells you that you have “SPD,” it may be part of the broader spectrum of pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain.

What Does Pelvic Girdle Pain Feel Like?

PGP does not feel exactly the same for every woman.

Some common symptoms include:

• Pain over the pubic bone

• Aching across one or both sides of the low back

• Hip pain

• Pain through the buttocks

• Discomfort spreading into the upper thighs

• A clicking or grinding sensation around the pelvis

• Pain while walking

• Pain while climbing stairs

• Discomfort when standing on one leg

• Pain when getting in or out of a car

• Difficulty turning over in bed

The NHS notes that these types of everyday movements can commonly aggravate pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain.

For some women, the pain is mild and occasional. For others, simple movements can become frustrating and exhausting.

Why Does Pelvic Pain Happen During Pregnancy?

There is rarely one single cause.

Pregnancy changes the way your entire musculoskeletal system functions.

As your uterus grows, your center of gravity shifts forward. Your posture changes, the abdominal muscles stretch, and the muscles of your hips and back may compensate by working harder.

ACOG explains that the growing uterus shifts the center of gravity and places additional strain on the back, while pregnancy-related changes in the ligaments around the pelvis can also contribute to discomfort.

RCOG also notes that pelvic girdle pain may develop when the pelvic joints are moving unevenly and additional weight and postural changes place more strain on the pelvis.

That means the discomfort you feel in the front of the pelvis may also be connected to tension elsewhere.

The glutes, hips, low back, sacrum, inner thighs, and surrounding muscles all work together.

Can Prenatal Massage Help Pelvic Girdle Pain?

Prenatal massage does not diagnose or cure pelvic girdle pain, and significant pelvic pain should be evaluated by your prenatal care provider.

However, massage may provide supportive relief by addressing the muscular tension surrounding the pelvis.

When someone is in pain, muscles often tighten and guard the painful area. Over time, this can make the hips, low back, glutes, and surrounding tissues feel increasingly tense.

A pregnancy massage session may focus on areas such as:

• Gluteal muscles

• Hips

• Low back

• Sacral region

• Upper legs

• Back and shoulders

• Muscles compensating for postural changes

The goal is not to force the pelvis back into position.

Instead, prenatal massage can help reduce unnecessary muscular tension, promote relaxation, and make the body feel less guarded.

RCOG includes hands-on manual therapy from practitioners experienced with pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain among the treatment approaches that may be used as part of PGP care.

Massage therapy and physical therapy are not the same treatment, however. If you have significant PGP, physiotherapy may be especially important because a physical therapist can evaluate joint stability, movement patterns, strength, and pelvic-floor function.

Why the Hips and Glutes Matter

One of the most common areas we work with during prenatal massage in San Diego is the hip and gluteal region.

As pregnancy progresses, the pelvis adapts to a changing center of gravity and increasing weight.

The glutes and deep hip muscles may become tight from:

• Standing differently

• Sitting for long periods

• Sleeping primarily on one side

• Walking with an altered gait

• Compensating for low-back discomfort

• Carrying toddlers or other children

• Increased strain from work or exercise

If those muscles remain tense, the entire pelvic region may feel more restricted.

Gentle therapeutic massage may help soften those surrounding muscles without directly forcing or manipulating painful pelvic joints.

Prenatal Massage for Low-Back and Sacral Pain

Pelvic girdle pain is frequently felt near the sacroiliac joints at the back of the pelvis.

This may feel like:

• Pain on one side of the low back

• Deep aching near the top of the buttock

• Pain when walking or shifting weight

• Discomfort after standing for long periods

• Increased pain after sleeping on one side

Massage around the glutes, hips, and low-back muscles may help relieve some of the muscular strain occurring around this region.

ACOG recognizes backache as one of the most common pregnancy complaints and notes that the changing center of gravity and increased strain on muscles and joints are common contributors.

What About Pubic Bone Pain?

Some women with SPD or pelvic girdle pain feel discomfort directly at the front of the pelvis.

This can be especially noticeable when:

• Getting out of bed

• Rolling over

• Putting on pants

• Walking upstairs

• Getting into a car

• Separating the legs

We do not aggressively massage directly into a painful pubic joint.

Instead, prenatal bodywork can focus on surrounding areas that may be tense or compensating, while keeping the session comfortable.

If you have significant pain at the pubic bone, it is also a good idea to discuss it with your obstetric provider, midwife, or pelvic-health physical therapist.

Positioning Matters When You Have Pelvic Pain

When your pelvis already hurts, the last thing you need is to spend an hour in a position that makes it worse.

Pregnancy massage should be carefully positioned.

ACOG recommends side-lying as a comfortable position for massage during pregnancy.

At Rebirth, we use pillows and bolsters to support the:

• Belly

• Hips

• Legs

• Knees

• Low back

• Upper body

Small adjustments can make a big difference.

For someone with pelvic girdle pain, placing a supportive pillow between the knees may help reduce unnecessary pulling or twisting through the pelvis.

The therapist can also help you change positions slowly so that getting on and off the massage table does not aggravate your symptoms.

Massage Should Not Make Your Pelvic Pain Worse

More pressure is not always better.

This is especially true during pregnancy.

When joints and surrounding tissues are already irritated, overly aggressive massage can leave you feeling more sore.

A prenatal massage should be adapted to how your body responds.

You should always be able to tell your therapist:

• This position hurts

• That pressure is too much

• My pelvis feels unstable here

• I need another pillow

• I need to move more slowly

Good prenatal massage is collaborative.

We want you to leave feeling more supported, not like you had to endure the session.

Prenatal Massage vs. Pelvic-Floor Physical Therapy

This distinction is important.

Prenatal massage therapy focuses primarily on soft-tissue tension, relaxation, circulation, and muscular comfort.

Pelvic-floor or obstetric physical therapy can assess movement, pelvic stability, strength, joint mechanics, and pelvic-floor function.

If you have moderate or severe pelvic girdle pain, these therapies may complement each other.

The NHS recommends physiotherapy for pregnancy-related pelvic joint problems, which may include exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor, stomach, back, and hip muscles, as well as support belts or other mobility tools when needed.

Massage should not replace appropriate physical therapy or medical evaluation when those services are needed.

Other Things That May Help Pelvic Girdle Pain

Your prenatal provider or physical therapist may recommend changes in your daily movement patterns.

Common strategies include:

• Keeping weight evenly distributed between both legs

• Sitting down to get dressed

• Keeping the knees closer together when getting out of a car

• Using a pillow between the legs while sleeping

• Avoiding prolonged sitting or standing

• Limiting movements that clearly increase pain

• Wearing supportive shoes

• Using a pelvic support belt if recommended

• Balancing activity with adequate rest

Both the NHS and RCOG recommend movement modifications like these to help women manage PGP.

Often the best approach is not one single treatment.

It may be a combination of massage, physical therapy, movement changes, supportive positioning, and guidance from your healthcare provider.

When Should You Talk to Your Doctor or Midwife?

Do not assume all pelvic pain is simply a normal pregnancy symptom.

Talk with your prenatal care provider if:

• The pain is significant

• You are having trouble walking

• You suddenly develop severe pain

• Symptoms are rapidly worsening

• You have vaginal bleeding

• You have fever

• You have urinary symptoms

• You experience contractions

• You feel faint or unwell

• Something about the pain feels unusual

The NHS recommends contacting a healthcare professional when pelvic pain makes it difficult to move around, climb stairs, get out of a car, or turn over in bed.

Early evaluation can also help distinguish pelvic girdle pain from other causes of discomfort.

Can You Still Have a Vaginal Birth With PGP or SPD?

In many cases, yes.

The NHS states that most women with pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain can still have a vaginal birth.

If your pelvic mobility is significantly limited, discuss your symptoms with your midwife, OB-GYN, or birth team before labor.

It can be helpful for your care team to know which positions are comfortable and which movements aggravate your pelvis.

How Often Should You Get Prenatal Massage for Pelvic Discomfort?

There is no single schedule that works for every expecting mother.

Some women book massage when symptoms flare.

Others find that more regular prenatal bodywork helps them manage muscular tension as their pregnancy progresses.

Your schedule may depend on:

• How far along you are

• How physically demanding your work is

• Whether you have other children

• How severe your symptoms are

• How long relief lasts after massage

• Whether you are also receiving physical therapy

• Your prenatal provider's recommendations

Your therapist can help you decide whether occasional or regular sessions make the most sense for your body.

Why Choose Rebirth for Prenatal Massage in San Diego?

At Rebirth Maya Massage, pregnancy massage is one of our specialties.

Our women's wellness center in Mission Valley works with mothers throughout pregnancy and postpartum.

Rather than treating pregnancy massage like a generic spa add-on, our sessions are adapted around:

• Your trimester

• Your symptoms

• Your preferred pressure

• Your sleeping position

• Your mobility

• Your pregnancy history

• What your body needs that day

Our prenatal services are designed to provide a nurturing environment where women can feel comfortable communicating exactly how pregnancy is affecting their bodies.

Whether your biggest complaint is hip tension, low-back pain, swelling, sleep discomfort, or pelvic girdle pain, your massage can be customized accordingly.

Looking for Prenatal Massage for Pelvic Pain in San Diego?

Pregnancy may come with physical changes, but you do not have to ignore every ache simply because you are expecting.

If pelvic girdle pain or SPD is making it difficult to sleep, walk comfortably, or move through your day, talk with your healthcare provider about your symptoms.

Once more serious causes have been ruled out, prenatal massage in San Diego may be one supportive part of your care plan.

At Rebirth Maya Massage in Mission Valley, we provide specialized prenatal bodywork designed around the changing needs of the pregnant body.

Book your prenatal massage at Rebirth Maya Massage and let us help support your hips, low back, and changing body throughout pregnancy.

Prenatal massage is complementary wellness care and does not diagnose or treat pelvic girdle disorders. Persistent, severe, or unexplained pelvic pain should be evaluated by your healthcare provider.

Frequently Asked Questions About Prenatal Massage and Pelvic Girdle Pain

Can massage help SPD during pregnancy?

Massage cannot correct or cure SPD, but it may help relieve muscular tension in the hips, glutes, low back, and surrounding areas that may become tight while your body compensates for pelvic discomfort.

Where do you massage for pelvic girdle pain?

The exact areas depend on your symptoms. Prenatal massage may focus on the hips, glutes, low back, sacral area, and upper legs rather than applying aggressive pressure directly over a painful pelvic joint.

Can I get prenatal massage if walking hurts?

Possibly, but significant difficulty walking should first be discussed with your obstetric provider or midwife. You may also benefit from an assessment by a pelvic-health or obstetric physical therapist.

Is SPD dangerous for my baby?

Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain can be very uncomfortable, but the NHS states that it is not harmful to the baby.

Should prenatal massage hurt if I have pelvic pain?

No. Some tight muscles may feel tender, but a prenatal massage should not create sharp or worsening pelvic pain. Pressure and positioning should always be adjusted to your comfort.

Where can I get prenatal massage for pelvic pain in San Diego?

Rebirth Maya Massage provides specialized prenatal massage in Mission Valley, San Diego, with sessions customized to pregnancy-related hip, low-back, pelvic, and muscular discomfort.