D.G. Lee, L.J. Lee and L. McLaughlin
Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PRPGP) has a prevalence of approximately 45% during pregnancy and 20–25% in the early postpartum period. Current evidence suggests that the muscles and fascia of the lumbopelvic region play a significant role in musculoskeletal function as well as continence and respiration. Biomechanical aspects of the myofascial piece of the clinical puzzle as it pertains to the abdominal canister during pregnancy and delivery, in particular trauma to the linea alba and endopelvic fascia and/or the consequence of postpartum non-optimal strategies for load transfer, is the focus of the first two parts of this paper. A possible physiological explanation for fascial changes secondary to altered breathing behaviour during pregnancy is presented in the third part.
Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 1 July 2008, online article ahead of publish