Understanding Pregnancy Groin and Pubic Bone Pain: A Chiropractic Perspective

From the first trimester to the final weeks before delivery, pregnancy brings many changes to your body. Pain in the groin and pubic bone area is one of the most common complaints expectant mothers deal with. This discomfort can range from a nagging, heavy feeling to sharp pain that makes walking, standing, or even turning in bed difficult.

What Causes Groin and Pubic Bone Pain During Pregnancy?

Many women experience vague discomfort in the pelvic area, often unsure exactly where the pain originates. Dr. Marie Perron explains the root cause:

“From my chiropractic perspective, it’s misalignment of the pelvis, sacrum, and then pubic bone, and then there are imbalances and muscles surrounding that area that attach to the skeletal—to the bone structure.”

The pain typically occurs when walking, standing for extended periods, or tossing and turning at night. While some women might receive a diagnosis of pelvic girdle pain from their doctor or midwife, the underlying issue often involves structural misalignment combined with muscle imbalances.

When Does This Pain Typically Develop?

The timing of groin and pubic bone pain varies significantly among pregnant women. Some experience discomfort early in pregnancy, even before showing, particularly if they had pre-existing conditions or were very active athletes, dancers, or gymnasts.

Dr. Marie notes an important distinction: “It’s not always just the weight of the belly. Sometimes just the hormone changes will create some more laxity in those joints, and then the pain will start.”

For active women who suddenly find walking painful early in pregnancy, this can be particularly disheartening. The good news? Early intervention often means faster improvement since there’s less belly weight to contend with.

Other women develop pain later in pregnancy as their posture changes, weight increases, and the pelvis opens to accommodate the growing baby. This creates stretching and strain on the structures around the pubic bone area.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help

Treatment involves a combination of gentle adjustments and soft tissue work. Since the pubic bone connects to the same bone as your hip, addressing alignment issues at the back of the pelvis can resolve pain at the front. Releasing tight thigh muscles that attach to the pubic bone area is also crucial.

Personalized Home Care Recommendations

Because every woman’s situation is unique, personalized guidance is essential. That’s exactly what you get when you become a client with Dr Marie. Generic stretches found online might not address your specific imbalances and could potentially worsen symptoms if you’re already dealing with joint instability.

After identifying which areas are moving too much or too little and which muscles need strengthening versus stretching, we can prescribe targeted exercises to support your recovery and prevent future episodes.