Women's experiences of physiotherapy for pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain in primary care: a qualitative study at four months postpartum.

Authors

Annika Svahn Ekdahl, Annelie Gutke, Kaisa Mannerkorpi, Monika Fagevik Olsén

Published in

BMJ open. Volume 16. Issue 10. Pages e125092. Oct 05, 2026. Epub Oct 05, 2026.

Abstract

To explore women's lived experiences of physiotherapy for pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP), including how the care received corresponded to their needs and expectations.
Qualitative study using an inductive phenomenological approach. Individual semi-structured interviews were analysed using Giorgi's Descriptive Phenomenological Psychological Method.
Primary care physiotherapy clinic in Gothenburg, Sweden.
10 women who had received physiotherapy for clinically verified PPGP were interviewed between March 2022 and September 2023. Participants were recruited from a primary care physiotherapy clinic and interviews were conducted by telephone or videoconference.
Women's experiences of physiotherapy extended beyond symptom management and encompassed validation, reassurance and support in navigating the healthcare system. Three interrelated themes were identified: On the threshold to physiotherapy, describing how pain, reduced functioning, uncertainty about symptom legitimacy and social support influenced care-seeking; A positive and reassuring encounter, highlighting the importance of being listened to, receiving individualised advice and meeting a physiotherapist with expertise in PPGP; and Need for proactive and collaborative maternity care, emphasising the value of early information, timely access to physiotherapy, improved collaboration between midwives and physiotherapists and more flexible care pathways. Even when symptom relief was limited, participants considered individualised guidance, reassurance and validation meaningful outcomes of care.
Women experienced tailored physiotherapy for PPGP as meaningful and reassuring. Their experiences of seeking physiotherapy were shaped by access to information, social support and guidance within the maternity healthcare system. Early information about PPGP, timely access to physiotherapy and continuity of care was described as important aspects of care, suggesting that these areas could be considered when developing care for women with PPGP.

PMID:
42833726
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 06 Oct 2026.

Read full publication at:
Please sign in to see all details.

Stats

1-terrible, 9-excellent. How would you rate this publication? Sign in in to submit your rating.

Post a comment

You need to be signed in to post comments. You can sign in here.

Comments

There are no comments yet.