Course Description:

This course enables participants to expand their knowledge around lumbopelvic pain during pregnancy and beyond. Lumbopelvic Pain can be a frightening and overwhelming problem and this presentation will explore the current literature and common clinical presentation. Several risk factors have been identified including pre-existing lumbopelvic pain, multiparity, previous pelvic trauma and emotional stress. Further, post-partum depression and identified anxiety have consistently been associated with pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP). A main focus of this presentation content relates to emerging data and associated theories related to pain science, HPA axis dysregulation and psychologically informed care in relation to PPGP. A systems biology perspective will be considered with a review of the importance of understanding over-recruiting and under-recruiting the pelvic floor musculature. Evidence-based assessment and treatment techniques will be emphasized. Clinical vignettes will be used as a tool to apply all care concepts and inform physical therapists how evidence-informed cognitive approaches to care “fit” the established science relative to PPGP.