Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction During Pregnancy: Natural Relief Without Medications in Middleton, WI

The Sharp Pain That Makes You Stop Mid-Step

You’re crossing the parking lot at Metcalfe’s Market when it hits—a sharp, stabbing pain right at the front of your pelvis that literally stops you in your tracks. Rolling over in bed has become a strategic operation. Getting dressed means sitting down to put on pants one leg at a time. And don’t even get you started on getting in and out of the car. If this sounds familiar, you’re likely dealing with symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) during pregnancy, and you’re definitely not alone.

As a pregnant mom in the Madison area, you deserve to enjoy this special time—not spend it wincing through every movement. At ADIO Chiropractic in Middleton, we’ve helped countless expecting mothers in Middleton, Madison, Waunakee, Verona, and Sun Prairie find natural relief from SPD pregnancy pain so they can focus on preparing for their little one’s arrival instead of just surviving each day.

What Is Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD)?

Symphysis pubis dysfunction, often called SPD or pelvic girdle pain, occurs when the ligaments that normally keep your pelvic bone aligned become too relaxed and stretchy during pregnancy. Your pelvis is made up of three bones: two pelvic bones on either side and the sacrum (the triangular bone at the base of your spine). These bones meet at the front in a joint called the pubic symphysis and at the back at the sacroiliac joints.

During pregnancy, your body produces a hormone called relaxin, which loosens your ligaments to allow your pelvis to open during delivery. While this is a natural and necessary process, sometimes these ligaments become too loose too soon, causing the pubic symphysis joint to move more than it should. This excessive movement creates inflammation, instability, and that characteristic shooting pain many pregnant women describe.

Common signs you might have pubic symphysis dysfunction include:

• Sharp, shooting pain at the front center of your pelvis, right above your pubic bone
• Pain that worsens when walking, climbing stairs, or standing on one leg
• A grinding or clicking sensation in your pelvic area
• Difficulty spreading your legs apart (getting in and out of the car, rolling over in bed)
• Pain radiating to your lower back, hips, groin, or inner thighs
• Waddling gait or limping
• Pain during activities that require shifting weight from one leg to another

The intensity can range from mild discomfort to severe pain that significantly impacts your daily activities and sleep quality. Some Middleton moms we’ve worked with describe feeling like their pelvis might “split apart” or that something is fundamentally wrong with their body.

When Does SPD Start in Pregnancy?

Many expecting mothers wonder when does SPD start in pregnancy, and the answer varies. While symphysis pubis dysfunction can develop at any point during pregnancy, most women begin experiencing symptoms during the second trimester, typically around weeks 14-20. However, some women notice pelvic discomfort as early as the first trimester, particularly if they’ve experienced SPD in a previous pregnancy.

Why the second trimester? This is when relaxin levels increase significantly, and your baby is growing rapidly, adding more weight and pressure to your pelvis. The combination of hormonal changes, increased weight, and your changing center of gravity creates the perfect conditions for SPD to develop.

If you’ve had SPD in a previous pregnancy, you’re more likely to experience it again—and often earlier and more intensely. This is why we encourage Madison-area moms who’ve dealt with SPD before to start chiropractic care early in their pregnancy as a preventive measure.

The Neurological and Biomechanical Connection: Why SPD Happens and How It Affects Your Body

To understand how chiropractic care helps with SPD pregnancy, we need to look at what’s happening in your body from a neurological and structural perspective.

Think of your pelvis like a ring made of three puzzle pieces held together by strong rubber bands (your ligaments). During pregnancy, those rubber bands get stretched out by relaxin. If the puzzle pieces aren’t aligned properly to begin with, or if one side is bearing more weight than the other, those stretched rubber bands can’t do their job of holding everything stable. The result? The puzzle pieces start moving around too much, causing pain, inflammation, and dysfunction.

Here’s what’s happening on a deeper level:

Hormonal Changes: Relaxin doesn’t just affect your pelvis—it affects ligaments throughout your entire body. While this hormone is essential for childbirth, excessive or uneven ligament laxity can create instability not just in your pubic symphysis, but throughout your entire pelvic girdle and spine.

Biomechanical Imbalance: Your body is constantly adapting to your growing baby, changing center of gravity, and increased weight. If your pelvis, sacrum, or lower spine are misaligned before or during pregnancy, this creates uneven stress on the pubic symphysis. One side ends up working harder than the other, leading to inflammation and pain.

Muscle Compensation: When your pelvis becomes unstable, the muscles surrounding it—your hip flexors, adductors (inner thigh muscles), glutes, and core muscles—start working overtime to compensate. These muscles become tight, fatigued, and painful, creating a cycle of tension and dysfunction.

Nervous System Involvement: Your nervous system controls every function in your body, including muscle tone, inflammation response, and pain perception. When your spine and pelvis are misaligned, it can create interference in the nerves that control your pelvic floor, hip muscles, and the tissues surrounding your pubic symphysis. This nervous system stress can amplify pain and slow your body’s natural healing response.

Think of it this way: If your car’s wheels are out of alignment, driving puts uneven wear on your tires. Eventually, one tire wears out much faster than the others. Your pelvis during pregnancy works similarly. If alignment is off, one side of your pubic symphysis bears more stress, leading to pain and dysfunction. Chiropractic care is like getting your alignment checked and corrected—everything works better when it’s balanced.

Common Questions: Can SPD Cause Early Labor? Does SPD Make Labor More Painful?

Many expecting mothers in our Middleton practice worry about how symphysis pubis dysfunction might affect their labor and delivery. Let’s address these important concerns:

Can SPD cause early labor? There is no direct evidence that SPD itself causes early labor. However, severe SPD can create significant physical stress on your body, and chronic pain and stress can potentially contribute to preterm labor risk factors. This is why managing SPD effectively throughout pregnancy is so important—not just for your comfort, but for your overall pregnancy health.

Does SPD make labor more painful? This is a nuanced question. SPD pain is distinct from labor contractions, so having SPD doesn’t necessarily make contractions themselves more painful. However, SPD can affect your positioning during labor and delivery. Certain positions that require significant leg spreading or pelvic movement may be more uncomfortable if you have severe SPD.

The good news? When SPD is well-managed during pregnancy through chiropractic care, proper alignment, and supportive strategies, many women report that their labor positioning is more comfortable and they have more options for birthing positions. Proper pelvic alignment can actually facilitate a smoother birth because baby has optimal room to descend through the birth canal.

Does SPD Go Away After Pregnancy? Will Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction Resolve?

One of the most common questions we hear from Madison-area expecting moms is: does symphysis pubis dysfunction go away after delivery?

For most women, yes—SPD symptoms significantly improve or completely resolve within a few weeks to a few months after giving birth. Once your baby is born, relaxin levels drop, your ligaments begin to tighten back up, and the extra weight and pressure on your pelvis is relieved.

However, here’s what’s important to understand:

Timeline varies: Some women feel relief within days of delivery, while others may experience lingering discomfort for several months postpartum. The severity of your SPD during pregnancy, how well it was managed, and your postpartum care all influence recovery time.

Proper healing matters: If your pelvis was significantly misaligned during pregnancy and delivery, simply waiting for relaxin to leave your system may not be enough. Your body can heal in a misaligned position, which can lead to chronic pelvic pain, lower back issues, or recurrent SPD in future pregnancies.

Postpartum care is crucial: Many women don’t realize that postpartum chiropractic care is just as important as prenatal care. Your body has been through tremendous changes, and ensuring proper realignment postpartum helps your pelvis heal correctly and prevents long-term issues.

At ADIO Chiropractic, we’ve worked with many Waunakee and Verona moms who wish they had known about chiropractic care during their first pregnancy when they suffered through SPD. Now, in subsequent pregnancies, they start care early and experience dramatically less pain—or avoid SPD altogether.

How ADIO Chiropractic Helps Middleton Moms with Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction

At ADIO Chiropractic in Middleton, we take a comprehensive, neurologically-focused approach to helping pregnant women find relief from SPD pregnancy pain. Our doctors, Dr. Eric Kurzinski and Dr. Alexandria Quick, specialize in prenatal chiropractic care and understand the unique needs of expecting mothers.

Our approach includes:

Comprehensive Neurological Assessment: We begin with detailed neurological scans to assess how your nervous system is functioning and identify areas of stress or imbalance. These scans help us understand not just where your pain is, but what’s causing it at the root level. For many Madison moms, seeing their scan results is an “aha moment”—they finally understand why they’re experiencing such significant pain.

Pelvic Alignment and Sacral Balance: Using gentle, specific chiropractic adjustments, we restore proper alignment to your pelvis, sacrum, and lower spine. When these structures are balanced, the stress on your pubic symphysis is distributed evenly, reducing inflammation and pain. These adjustments are extremely gentle—many pregnant women are surprised by how comfortable the process is.

The Webster Technique: This is a specialized chiropractic technique specifically designed for pregnant women. The Webster Technique focuses on creating optimal pelvic balance by addressing sacral misalignment and reducing tension in the muscles and ligaments supporting your uterus. This not only helps reduce SPD pain but also creates more room for your baby to move into the optimal position for birth. Dr. Alexandria Quick is certified in the Webster Technique and has helped countless Middleton-area mothers achieve more comfortable pregnancies and smoother deliveries.

Muscle and Soft Tissue Support: SPD doesn’t just affect your bones and joints—it affects the muscles surrounding your pelvis. We provide guidance on specific stretches and exercises to support your pelvic stability, reduce muscle tension, and improve your overall function.

Postural Guidance: We teach you how to modify your daily activities to reduce stress on your pubic symphysis. This includes tips for getting in and out of bed, car, and chairs, as well as proper sleeping positions and the use of support pillows.

Collaborative Care: We work alongside your OB-GYN or midwife to ensure you’re receiving comprehensive care. We’re happy to communicate with your birth team and provide recommendations that support your entire pregnancy journey.

Personalized Care Plans: Every pregnancy is unique, and so is every case of SPD. We create individualized care plans based on your specific needs, severity of symptoms, and stage of pregnancy. Some women need more frequent adjustments initially, while others maintain with weekly visits throughout pregnancy.

The adjustments we provide are safe for all stages of pregnancy. We have special pregnancy pillows and positioning that keep you comfortable during your visits. Many of our Sun Prairie and Fitchburg moms tell us that their adjustment appointments are the most comfortable they feel all week.

The Benefits: Real Outcomes for Madison-Area Expecting Mothers

When you receive consistent chiropractic care for symphysis pubis dysfunction during pregnancy, the benefits extend far beyond just pain relief:

Immediate and Progressive Benefits:

• Significant reduction in pelvic pain during daily activities like walking, climbing stairs, and getting dressed
• Improved sleep quality as you’re able to find comfortable positions and roll over without severe pain
• Greater mobility and independence to enjoy your pregnancy activities
• Reduced need for pain medications which many expecting mothers prefer to avoid
• Better pelvic alignment creating optimal space for baby’s growth and positioning
• Decreased muscle tension in hips, lower back, and pelvic floor
• Enhanced body awareness helping you understand what movements support or strain your pelvis
• Improved nervous system function supporting your body’s natural healing capabilities
• More confidence in your body as pain decreases and function improves

Labor and Delivery Benefits:

• Optimal pelvic positioning that facilitates smoother labor progression
• More birthing position options as your pelvic pain is better managed
• Potentially shorter labor times when pelvis is properly aligned (studies suggest up to 25% reduction)
• Better baby positioning reducing risk of breech or posterior presentation
• Reduced likelihood of intervention when body is functioning optimally

Postpartum Benefits:

• Faster recovery as your body heals in proper alignment
• Reduced risk of chronic pelvic pain after delivery
• Better foundation for future pregnancies if you plan to expand your family
• Improved core and pelvic floor function essential for postpartum recovery

Sarah’s Story: From Barely Walking to Enjoying Her Pregnancy

Sarah, a first-time mom from Waunakee, came to our Middleton office at 18 weeks pregnant. She was barely able to walk from her car to our front door without significant pain. Getting out of bed each morning had become a 10-minute ordeal, and she’d started sleeping on the couch because she couldn’t roll over in bed without waking her husband with her cries of pain.

“I felt like my body was betraying me,” Sarah shared during her initial consultation. “I was supposed to be glowing and excited about becoming a mom, but instead, I was just trying to survive each day. I’d read that SPD was something you just had to live with until delivery, and I couldn’t imagine another 22 weeks of this pain.”

After her first neurological assessment, Dr. Alexandria Quick discovered significant misalignment in Sarah’s sacrum and asymmetry in her pelvic positioning. Her scans showed high levels of nervous system stress in the areas controlling her pelvic muscles and stability.

We created a care plan that included twice-weekly adjustments using the Webster Technique for the first month, then weekly adjustments throughout the remainder of her pregnancy. We also provided her with specific exercises, sleeping position modifications, and daily activity guidelines.

Within two weeks, Sarah noticed she could walk without limping. By week four, she was able to roll over in bed without pain—something she described as “life-changing.” As her pregnancy progressed, she continued to feel strong and mobile, enjoying prenatal yoga classes and long walks around her neighborhood.

“The adjustment appointments became the highlight of my week,” Sarah told us at 36 weeks. “Not only did I leave feeling physically better, but Dr. Alexandria and the entire team made me feel supported and understood. They celebrated my progress with me and gave me confidence that my body was designed to do this.”

Sarah delivered her daughter at 39 weeks after a 7-hour labor. She later told us that having strong, aligned pelvic positioning made a huge difference in her ability to move through different labor positions. Her SPD pain resolved completely within two weeks postpartum—much faster than she’d been told to expect.

“I tell every pregnant friend to start chiropractic care early,” Sarah says. “Don’t wait until you’re in severe pain like I did. And if you do develop SPD, know that you don’t have to just suffer through it. There’s real help available.”

Practical Tips for Managing SPD at Home

While chiropractic care addresses the root cause of symphysis pubis dysfunction, there are several things you can do at home to support your pelvic stability and reduce pain:

Movement Modifications:

• Keep your knees together when getting in and out of bed or the car (imagine you have a balloon between your knees that you don’t want to pop)
• Use a “log roll” technique when getting out of bed: roll your entire body as one unit rather than twisting
• Take smaller steps when walking and avoid wide leg positions
• Go up stairs one at a time, bringing both feet together on each step
• Sit down to get dressed, especially when putting on pants or underwear
• Avoid heavy lifting and pushing shopping carts or strollers

Supportive Tools:

• Maternity support belt to provide external stability to your pelvis
• Pregnancy pillow for side-sleeping with proper support between your knees
• Ice pack for 15-20 minutes if experiencing acute inflammation (wrap in a thin towel)
• Supportive footwear with good arch support to improve overall alignment

Gentle Exercises:

• Pelvic tilts on hands and knees to maintain pelvic mobility
• Gentle hip circles on an exercise ball
• Pelvic floor exercises (Kegels) to support internal stability
• Cat-cow stretches to maintain spinal flexibility
• Swimming or water aerobics which reduces weight-bearing stress

What to Avoid:

• Crossing your legs when sitting
• Sitting on the floor or in very low chairs
• Wide leg stretches or yoga poses that require significant hip abduction
• Heavy squats or lunges that put asymmetrical stress on your pelvis
• Standing on one leg for extended periods (while getting dressed, etc.)
• Vacuuming or mopping with a pushing motion

Remember that while these strategies can provide temporary relief and support, they don’t address the underlying misalignment causing your SPD. That’s where chiropractic care makes the critical difference.

Your Next Step Toward a More Comfortable Pregnancy

If you’re an expecting mother in Middleton, Madison, Waunakee, Verona, Sun Prairie, or surrounding Dane County communities dealing with symphysis pubis dysfunction, you don’t have to suffer through the rest of your pregnancy in pain. At ADIO Chiropractic, we’ve helped hundreds of pregnant women find natural relief from SPD and enjoy their pregnancies again.

We invite you to schedule a prenatal consultation at our Middleton office. During this comprehensive visit, we’ll:

• Listen to your specific SPD symptoms and pregnancy concerns
• Perform gentle neurological assessments to identify the root causes of your pain
• Explain exactly how chiropractic care can help your unique situation
• Create a personalized care plan designed for your stage of pregnancy and severity of symptoms
• Answer all your questions about prenatal chiropractic care, the Webster Technique, and what to expect

You deserve to enjoy this precious time preparing for your baby’s arrival—not spending it in pain and frustration. Dr. Eric Kurzinski and Dr. Alexandria Quick are passionate about helping expecting mothers experience the comfort and confidence that comes with a properly aligned, well-functioning body.

Call our Middleton office at (608) 824-0950 to schedule your prenatal consultation, or visit our website to learn more about our specialized pregnancy care. Let’s work together to help you feel like yourself again—strong, comfortable, and ready to embrace the incredible journey of motherhood.

Your body was designed to carry and birth your baby. When your nervous system is balanced and your pelvis is properly aligned, you can trust your body to do what it was made to do.

Frequently Asked Questions About SPD During Pregnancy

Q: Will my insurance cover chiropractic care for SPD during pregnancy?

A: Many insurance plans do cover chiropractic care, including prenatal chiropractic for conditions like symphysis pubis dysfunction. Coverage varies by plan, so we recommend calling your insurance provider to verify your benefits. At ADIO Chiropractic in Middleton, our team is happy to help you understand your coverage and provide any necessary documentation. We also offer affordable cash-pay options and flexible payment plans for those without coverage or whose insurance doesn’t fully cover care. We believe cost should never be a barrier to receiving the care you need during pregnancy.

Q: Is chiropractic care safe during all stages of pregnancy?

A: Yes! Chiropractic care is safe throughout all stages of pregnancy when performed by a chiropractor trained in prenatal care. At ADIO Chiropractic, both Dr. Eric Kurzinski and Dr. Alexandria Quick have specialized training in prenatal chiropractic techniques, including the Webster Technique. We use gentle, specific adjustments and special pregnancy positioning that keeps you and your baby safe and comfortable. Many Madison-area obstetricians and midwives actively refer their patients to our practice because they’ve seen the positive outcomes for their patients. We’re always happy to coordinate with your birth care provider.

Q: How soon can I start chiropractic care for my SPD, and how many visits will I need?

A: You can start chiropractic care as soon as you notice SPD symptoms—or even before symptoms develop if you want to prevent SPD, especially if you experienced it in a previous pregnancy. The number of visits needed varies based on the severity of your condition, how long you’ve had symptoms, and your individual response to care. Many of our Middleton patients with moderate to severe SPD start with 2-3 adjustments per week for the first few weeks, then transition to weekly visits as their pain decreases. We’ll create a personalized care plan during your initial consultation and adjust it based on your progress.

Q: Can chiropractic care prevent SPD from developing in the first place?

A: While we can’t guarantee prevention, regular chiropractic care throughout pregnancy significantly reduces your risk of developing severe SPD. When your pelvis, sacrum, and spine are properly aligned from early pregnancy, your body can adapt more effectively to the changes of pregnancy. Many of our Waunakee and Sun Prairie moms who start care in their first trimester either avoid SPD entirely or experience only mild, manageable symptoms. If you’ve had SPD in a previous pregnancy, starting chiropractic care before conception or in very early pregnancy is one of the best preventive steps you can take.

Q: What’s the difference between SPD and sciatica? Can you have both?

A: Symphysis pubis dysfunction causes pain at the front center of your pelvis where the pubic bones meet, while sciatica causes pain that radiates from your lower back down through your buttock and leg, following the path of the sciatic nerve. However, yes, you can experience both conditions simultaneously during pregnancy. In fact, when your pelvis is misaligned (contributing to SPD), it can also put pressure on the sciatic nerve, causing sciatica symptoms. The good news is that chiropractic care addresses the underlying pelvic and spinal alignment issues that contribute to both conditions. Many of our pregnant patients who initially came to us for one condition found relief from both through our comprehensive approach.

References

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About the Author

Dr. Eric Kurzinski, DC and Dr. Alexandria Quick, DC are the founders of ADIO Chiropractic in Middleton, Wisconsin. They specialize in neurologically-based chiropractic care for pregnant women, children, and families throughout the Madison area. Both doctors have advanced training in prenatal chiropractic care, including certification in the Webster Technique. They are passionate about helping expecting mothers experience comfortable, confident pregnancies and optimal births through natural, safe chiropractic care.

ADIO Chiropractic is located in Middleton, WI, and serves families throughout Madison, Waunakee, Verona, Sun Prairie, Fitchburg, and surrounding Dane County communities. To learn more about prenatal chiropractic care or to schedule a consultation, call (608) 824-0950 or visit the ADIO Chiropractic website.