In one word yes, but I will elaborate a bit further as it does need to be in conjunction with preventative measures.
I will start by quickly describing what SPD is. It is the symphysis pubic bone, the bone at the front, which is commonly a very stable joint and closed without a gap on a normal day. During pregnancy the hormone relaxin is released to relax your ligaments and soft tissue in order to make room for your growing baby and for giving birth. Due to this, in some cases the gap between the symphysis pubic joint can open causing instability and pain. Once this pain has started - if it is truly just SPD and no other joints are involved - will continue until after the baby is born. Physiotherapy in this case can only stop it getting worse and cannot stick the joint back together and get rid of the pain. In most cases the pain will go away as soon as the baby is born.
For some unlucky women the pain will linger after the baby is born, due to the hormone relaxin being mimicked in breastfeeding mums which will not exit your body until 3 months after you finish breastfeeding. Fortunately for many though SPD is coupled with a condition called sacroilliic joint dysfunction. This is anther joint that has been moved out of place due to your ligaments relaxing. This joint though can be manipulated back into place often creating an instant relief, and this can be done by your physiotherapist.
So where does the belt come into all of this. The belt will lie over the symphysis pubic joint holding it firmly in place. Now this will not stick it back together but every time you walk quickly or stretch your leg too far this causes more pain. The belt will hold the joint that little bit more in place and also acts as a reminder to keep your legs closer together at all times.
The belt will firmly hold the joint and every time you are regularly walking this will prevent the gap getting larger, causing a small relief taking the sting out of the pain. Again this will not ease the pain as the gap will still be there but it prevents it from getting worse and aggravating it.
I am a great advocate for the SPD belt, but, very importantly, it needs to be coupled with exercise and being aware of what aggravates the pain . For instance not running, doing the stairs one at a time and rolling over in bed with knees together are all important things to remember to not cause the joint any further opening and further pain.
If you want to purchase a belt or suffer from SPD and would like to book an appointment, please contact me on 0544485086 or by email to tamaramay.physio@gmail.com. I can arrange to see you privately or through Leumit in Bishvilaych Women's Comprehensive Medical Centre in Givat Shaul, Jerusalem or a home visit if you live in Gush Etzion.
