Osteitis Pubis is a condition that causes pain in the front of the pelvis, often felt in the groin or lower abdomen. It happens when the joint between the two pubic bones—the pubic symphysis—becomes irritated or inflamed due to repeated stress. This is common in people who do a lot of running, kicking, or twisting, such as athletes, but it can also affect postpartum women or anyone with pelvic overload or pelvic girdle pain.
The good news? Physiotherapy can make a big difference—not just in treating the pain, but in helping you understand what’s going on and how to recover confidently.
Physiotherapists are trained to look at the whole picture. They’ll start by asking about your symptoms, your activity levels, and any changes in your training or lifestyle. If you’ve noticed groin pain that gets worse with movement, or discomfort when coughing, sneezing, or doing sit-ups, these are important clues. They’ll then do a hands-on assessment to understand the interplay of your anatomy, muscle strength, flexibility, how your body moves and your pain situation. This helps them confirm whether the pain is coming from the pubic joint or another area like the hips or lower back, which are common primary and secondary players in this type of presentation. They may also work with your doctor to arrange imaging (like an MRI) if needed to grade the size of the irritation in the pubic symphysis.
Once Osteitis Pubis is diagnosed, your physio will guide you through a step-by-step recovery plan that’s tailored to your body and your goals. This might include:
In summary, your trusty OHL physio will help you feel in control of your recovery. They’ll explain what’s happening in your body, what to expect, and how to avoid future flare-ups. With the right support, most people recover well and return to full activity stronger than before! If you think you and/or you growing sporting adolescent could be shows signs and symptoms of Osteitis Pubic, reach out promptly to our OHL Physio team via 9431 5955 (or you can book online via our Client Portal) and we’ll get your OPTIMAL plan started ASAP.
