Sacroiliac (SI) joint pain is a condition that affects the lower back and buttocks. It occurs when the sacroiliac joints in the pelvis become either stiff or are more mobile than they should be. Around 10-25% of people with lower back pain have SI joint dysfunction and the condition is common among women. It is a common diagnosis in prenatal and postpartum patients due to hormone changes.
Pain from SI joint dysfunction can be very similar to other conditions such as a hip problem, herniated disc, or sciatic nerve pain. This is why an accurate diagnosis is vital to the treatment process, which a physical therapist can provide.. Some of the main causes of SI joint pain include:
- Pregnancy-related physiological changes
- Arthritis
- Injury to one or both sides of the joint (caused by over-training, accident, etc.)
- Muscle imbalance
- Stiffness of the joint
What are the Symptoms of SI Joint Pain?
If you have SI joint pain, you will experience all or some of the following:
- Pain that extends from the low back to the knee, but not below the knee
- Pain when walking, standing, and sitting for long periods
- Consistent pain on one side of your lower back, tailbone, or groin area
- Pain when bending or twisting
- Dull or sharp pain that eases off when you lie or sit down
How We Treat SI Joint Pain
The specialists in Oklahoma Physical Therapy treat SI joint pain by designing a special treatment program for every patient. The focus of the treatment is to help restore maximum strength and function to your core, back, and hips while reducing the pain. Your treatment program may include all or some of the following:
- Pain management
- Use of braces
- Body mechanics
- Manual therapy
- Functional training
- Flexibility exercises
- Strengthening exercises
- General education