Is Your Sacroiliac Joint Causing Your Lower Back Pain?

Is Your Sacroiliac Joint Causing Your Lower Back Pain?

One of the reasons back pain is such a common medical complaint (most people will experience it at least once in their lives) is because it has so many different potential causes. Most people are familiar with the common ones, like a strained back muscle or a herniated disc. 

But sometimes, back pain isn’t really back pain–at least not how we generally conceive it. While you might experience pain or discomfort in your lower back, the actual source of the pain might be a little lower, in your sacroiliac joint.

At Innovative Physical Therapy Solutions, our team of physical therapists understands that the best way to resolve back pain is to determine where that pain is coming from. Thanks to our comprehensive assessments, we can help you determine if your lower back pain is actually a symptom of problems with your sacroiliac joint –and then provide you with a targeted treatment to help resolve it.

The Sacroiliac Joint: What It Is and What Can Go Wrong

The sacroiliac (SI) joint connects your spine to your pelvis. You have two of them, one on each side. They’re connected to the sacrum, a small triangular bone at the base of your spine.

The SI joints allow you to transfer weight between your upper and lower body. However, the joints themselves don’t move all that much, and they’re located fairly deep in your pelvic structure, surrounded by strong ligaments and muscles.

There are two reasons why your sacroiliac joint might cause your pain:

• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction occurs due to biomechanical issues in your SI joint. It’s particularly common during pregnancy, as the sacroiliac joint is “loosened up” in preparation for childbirth (hypermobility). However, an overly restricted sacroiliac joint can also cause issues (hypomobility).
• Sacroiliitis refers to an SI joint inflammation due to osteoarthritis, hormonal changes during pregnancy, or injury. 

Both conditions can cause similar symptoms. The biggest difference between the two is the presence of inflammation, as there are no inflammatory processes with SI joint dysfunction.

Issues with Your SI Joint? How to Tell

It can be difficult to determine if you’re struggling with SI joint issues or lower back pain, as they can cause similar symptoms. If you’re struggling with any pain or discomfort in your back or buttocks, your best bet is to schedule an appointment with our physical therapists. We can help you get to the bottom of things.

That said, here are some of the common signs of SI joint issues:

• You experience pain directly over your buttocks.
• The pain seems to stem from deep inside your body.
• You’ll notice pain when sitting, lying down, or climbing stairs. In fact, you may have trouble sitting for long periods due to the pain.

Treating SI Joint Pain: What To Expect

We’ll begin with a comprehensive physical exam to help us determine the exact source of your pain, including confirming if the SI joint is involved at all. Once we understand your unique situation, our experts will develop your customized treatment program. Here’s what you might expect:

• Pain Management: We’ll find a solution that suits your needs. Spinal mobilizations and other manual therapy techniques can help if your pain stems from immobility. Hot and cold therapy can help manage pain and inflammation.
• Mobility Exercises: If applicable, we can guide you through targeted exercises to improve the flexibility and mobility in your SI joint.
• Strengthening Exercises: One of the best ways to address SI pain is to strengthen your core and gluteus muscles, both of which support and stabilize the SI joint. Our therapists will develop an exercise program appropriate to your needs and ensure you perform all exercises correctly.
• Prevention Tips: Finally, we’ll work with you to help you adopt a physically active lifestyle, which can help reduce and prevent SI dysfunction.