The PGM Method - Activating the Core, Targeted Strengthening and Stretching for the Pelvic Girdle

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Activating the deep core muscles and addressing specific muscles that are weak and tight are important components of the Pelvic Girdle Musculoskeletal Methodsm, or PGM Methodsm. This is in addition to, and after the muscles of the pelvic girdle have been balanced using PGM exercises in a very specific algorithm.

Therapeutic exercises have beneficial effects on pelvic girdle pain and dysfunction. They can improve performance of the pelvic floor muscles, back flexors and extensors, and hip extensors.[1] Exercise may also reduce the intensity of pain, as well as the level of disability experienced.[2][3] For these exercises to have a beneficial effect they need to be meaningful to the patient, relevant for daily activities and individualised according to the patient's profile and abilities.[4] Exercise should also be used as an intervention for pelvic girdle pain in the antepartum population, according to the clinical practice guidelines for this population. Rehabilitation exercises may also prevent future episodes of pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy and in subsequent pregnancies.[5] However, in pregnancy, it has been found that early intervention is important and "instiling the belief that it can improve" can enhance long-term outcomes.[6]

Core Activation[edit | edit source]

The deep or inner core muscles are:

These are the targeted muscles when the core is being activated. It is recommended to start with core activation exercises in a static and safe position and from there on one can progress. The progression of core stability exercises can be as follow[7]:

  • Stable and symmetric position (static position), pelvis neutral
  • Asymmetrical positions in a static position (adding movement of the extremities)
  • Mobility (adding a roller or ball under the trunk)
  • Agility (moving the trunk in space, balancing activities, lunges and dynamic balancing activities)

Activating the deep core[edit | edit source]

  • Start with a diaphragmatic breath in the chosen static position
    • INHALE:
      • Abdominal muscles should soften
      • Rib cage expanding with the inhale
      • Pelvic floor muscles relax and lengthen
    • EXHALE through pursed lips, with a hissing sound, or other noise to activate the glottis, tension the pelvic floor (see "Other clinical notes, bullet 2, below if there is pain), and transversus abdominus.

[8]

  • Connect cues for engaging pelvic floor and transversus abdominis during EXHALE
    • Transversus abdominis
      • imagine a line that connects the inside of the two pelvic bones (front of the hips). Think about connecting, or drawing the muscle along this line as if closing two book covers
      • imagine that you are pulling on a pair of tight jeans and flattening the lower abdomen to be able to pull up the zipper
    • Pelvic floor
      • visualize squeezing/closing of the urethra - as if to stop the flow of urine
      • visualize or squeeze/close the anus - as if to stop flatulence
Static core positions.png

Other clinical notes:

  1. Blowing out through pursed lips or making a "hissing" sound improves pelvic floor contraction. Exhaling pattern can be a clinical decision based on level of core weakness[7]
  2. If the patient’s pain is increasing with a pelvic floor contraction, this may indicate possible hypertonic pelvic floor muscles. In this case, do not include the pelvic floor contraction with the exhale, but have the patient focus on the relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles with the inhalation, envisioning lengthening or other imagery[7]
  3. Aim to repeat this core activation pattern 10 times in a static position. Repeat this core activation in sets of approximately 10 in other static positions so the muscles are challenged with varying effects of gravity, ie. supine, prone, standing, 4 point, kneeling
  4. The number of repetitions and starting static positions chosen are based on clinical reasoning and decision-making, keeping in mind that the muscles need to be worked to fatigue in order to strengthen, and with respect to patient tolerance[7]
  5. The inner core muscles work automatically, but it has been shown that with pelvic girdle dysfunction and other injuries that these muscles can become inhibited[9]. Communication to the patient that the goal is to get these muscles to work automatically in a reasonable timeframe.

Targeted Stretching[edit | edit source]

Muscle flexibility is an important part of the assessment in patients with pelvic girdle pain and dysfunction. Patients are often tighter on the side of pain and it can be beneficial to provide them with specific unilateral stretches at the level they can tolerate. It is also recommended that you ask the patient if they perceive one side to be tighter than the other rather than only relying on objective assessment.[7]

Some of the muscles that may be tight or shortened include:

For a quick recap of the anatomy of the pelvic girdle have a look at this page: Anatomy of the Pelvic Girdle

Targeted Strengthening[edit | edit source]

The painful side in patients with pelvic girdle dysfunction often shows signs of weakness and decreased balancing abilities. The algorithm of exercises described in the Pelvic Girdle Musculoskeletal Method is relevant strengthening exercises in patients with pelvic girdle dysfunction, especially when progressing with Theraband and bridging as in Exercise 2b, 2c of the PGM Method.  It is important to include the core activation principles with any targeted strengthening exercises in order to engage the core during these exercises.  If a patient perceives one side is weaker while performing the exercise, ie. feels more difficult, then this is a good indication that the exercise/muscle group needs to be included in the exercise prescription.[7]

Below are some examples of exercises that could be considered in patients with pelvic girdle dysfunction if there are signs of weakness in specific muscle groups.

Gluteus medius strengthening[edit | edit source]

Hip Rotation[edit | edit source]

Functional exercise[edit | edit source]

[14]

Examples of Stretches of the Pelvic Girdle Muscles[edit | edit source]

Hip Extensors[edit | edit source]

Hip Rotators[edit | edit source]

Hip Flexors[edit | edit source]

Hip Adductors[edit | edit source]

Hip Abductors[edit | edit source]

Quadriceps[edit | edit source]

Hamstrings[edit | edit source]

Latisimus Dorsi[edit | edit source]

[31]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Simonds A, Abraham K, Spitznagle T. Summary of the clinical practice guidelines for pelvic girdle pain in the postpartum population. Journal of Women's Health Physical Therapy. 2022;41(1):3-10.
  2. Kokic IS, Ivanisevic M, Uremovic M, Kokic T, Pisot R, Simunic B. Effect of therapeutic exercises on pregnancy-related low back pain and pelvic girdle pain: Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Journal of rehabilitation medicine. 2017 Mar 5;49(3):251-7.
  3. Filipec M, Matijević R. Expert advice about therapeutic exercise in the management of sacroiliac dysfunction in pregnancy: Secondary analysis of a randomized trial, European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. 2021;265:18-24.
  4. Stuge B. Evidence of stabilizing exercises for low back-and pelvic girdle pain–a critical review. Brazilian journal of physical therapy. 2019 Mar 1;23(2):181-6.
  5. Bogaert J, Stack M, Partington S, Marceca J, Tremback-Ball A. The effects of stabilization exercise on low back pain and pelvic girdle pain in pregnant women. Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine. 2018 Jul 1;61:e157-8.
  6. Pulsifer J, Britnell S, Sim A, Adaszynski J, Dufour S. Reframing beliefs and instiling facts for contemporary management of pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain. Br J Sports Med. 2022 Nov;56(22):1262-5.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Deborah Riczo. The PGM Method: Activating the core, targeted stretching and strengthening. Course. Plus. 2021
  8. Dr Deborah Riczo. Learn the easiest way to activate Transverse Abdominis (TVA) muscle with Dr. Deb, physical therapist. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGvQNzhxBWo (last accessed 21 June 2021)
  9. Mens JM, Pool-Goudzwaard A. Contraction of the transverse abdominal muscle in pelvic girdle pain is enhanced by pain provocation during the task. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice. 2017 Dec 1;32:78-83.
  10. Rehab my patient. How to do a clam. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ECrWm-3SKo (last accessed 5February 2021)
  11. Rehab my patient. How to do a clam part 2. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQroGjei4B8. (last accessed 5 February 2021)
  12. Rehab my patient. Hip external rotation lying. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSa_ZuIcbhQ (last accessed 5February 2021)
  13. Rehab my patient. Internal rotation lying ankle weight. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA7vhv3Q8sg (last accessed 5 February 2021)
  14. Rehab my patient. Falls prevention: Sit to Stand - no hands. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rVOvOU_vmE (last accessed 5 February 2021)
  15. Rehab my patient. Hip flexion side lying. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBLVOyYj4Gc. (last accessed 3 February 2021)
  16. Rehab my patient. How to do a single leg back stretch. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lka-1VKjrew. (last accessed 3 February 2021)
  17. Rehab my patient. How to stretch your glutes part 3. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpaExOK4S8M. (last accessed 3 February 2021)
  18. Rehab my patient. How to stretch your glutes part 5. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CDnxMFSq7k. (last accessed 3 February 2021)
  19. Rehab my patient. How to stretch your glutes part 7- seated spinal twist. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pjq54qOuE_A. (last accessed 3 February 2021)
  20. Rehab my patient. Hip flexor psoas stretch 1. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDn-UtqdX58. (last accessed 4 February 2021)
  21. Rehab my patient. Hip flexor bed stretch. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1jMwBf-Uws (last accessed 4 February 2021)
  22. Rehab my patient. Adductor stretch standing. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zic8EezO6pM. (last accessed 4 February 2021)
  23. Rehab my patient. Adductor stretch lying. Available from watch?v=nFYPzfXPnGA. (last accessed 4 February 2021)
  24. Rehab my patient. How to do an ITB stretch. Available from watch?v=GodaVDAhOYQ. (last accessed 4 February 2021)
  25. BcntrainingENG. The complete stretching video guide-Abductor stretches. Available from watch?v=mUW7DhbpomE. (last accessed 4 February 2021)
  26. Rehab my patient. How to do a quadriceps stretch part 9. Available from watch?v=EhEnpCeq4rM. (last accessed 4 February 2021)
  27. How to do a quadriceps stretch part 2. Available from watch?v=BZwmTXwu2fk. (last accessed 4 February 2021)
  28. Rehab my patient. How to do a hamstring stretch part 12. Available from watch?v=ZHxLNi4yqvc (last accessed 4 February 2021)
  29. Rehab my patient. How to do a hamstring stretch part 11. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIM7EJawsrw. (last accessed 4 February 2021)
  30. Rehab my patient. Pregnancy Exercises - Hamstring Stretch in Forward Bend. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TWk9QufCEw (last accessed 4 February 2021)
  31. Osteo and Physio. How to stretch your Lats properly!. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0TV6WNjuh4 (last accessed 5 February 2021)