The weight bearing structures of the body are frequently a site of pain generation in the body. Here I will concentrate on the weight bearing structures of the pelvis. The seated weight bearing ligament, standing weight bearing ligament and accessory ligaments make up the Sacroiliac Ligaments. As their name suggest these ligaments function in sitting or in standing postures.
However in standing the front of the pelvis is also significantly loaded. The front of the pelvis has a joint called the pubis symphysis joint. A joint similar in properties to a spinal disc. Dysfunction of the pubic symphysis can cause pain referral just like a sacroiliac syndrome. In the low back, down the leg, side of the calf muscle and in the groin.
From a medical perspective the pubis symphysis has been regarded as dysfunctional during pregnancy and coined as SPD. However pregnancy simply highlights the dysfunctions already present in the body. As the pregnant ‘bump’ grows the issue becomes worse. Even today some midwives and doctors will tell pregnant women that their SPD pain is normal pregnancy pain (1).
The Pubis symphysis joint is not just dysfunctional in women. Men too can have their weight bearing pelvis structures become dysfunctional weakening the Psoas and Rectus Abdominus muscles (2). The Muscular Back and sacroiliac syndrome are related entities to pubis symphysis dysfunction as are repetitive cranial dysfunctions.
If you are suffering from lower abdominal and or groin pain associated with standing weight bearing or sit to stand movement issues, book your consult today as you could have a treatable pubis symphysis dysfunction.
References:
- Owens K, Pearson A and Mason G Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction. European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology 105 (2002) 143
- Davies NJ (2010) Chiropractic Pediatrics [2nd Ed Churchill Livingstone] p.283