Sacroiliac Joint Pain: Causes & Relief Tips

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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 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 Infinity Physical Therapy, 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.

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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.

What’s Causing Your Back Pain?

You don’t have to put up with persistent pain, whether it’s in your back, buttocks, or radiating down your leg! The physical therapists at Infinity Physical Therapy will dig down deep to determine the underlying source of your pain, no matter what it is. 

Ready to get started? Call us to schedule an appointment today!

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Our Patients Get Great Results

“I came to physical therapy dealing with tennis elbow and long-standing shoulder issues. Dan was instrumental in resolving the elbow pain, and both he and Shawn worked together to identify the root cause of my shoulder problem. I had started to worry that my condition was as good as it was going to get, but they quickly proved otherwise. Their insight, hands-on approach, and targeted exercises made a noticeable difference. It was clear they knew exactly what to do to help me progress. I’m incredibly grateful for their care, dedication, and encouragement throughout the process—they truly made a huge impact on my recovery. I highly recommend Infinity Physical Therapy if you’re looking for knowledgeable, compassionate care from people who genuinely care about your long-term improvement. Having experienced other physical therapy providers, I can confidently say this one stands head and shoulders above the rest.” – A.I.

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Could Dry Needling Help You?

If you have ongoing pain or tightness that does not seem to let up, dry needling may be the next step in your recovery. This technique targets specific trigger points in your muscles to help reduce discomfort, improve mobility, and support the healing process. At Infinity Physical Therapy, we use dry needling as part of a complete care plan tailored to your needs.

During a dry needling session, your therapist will insert a fine needle into the affected muscle tissue. Some patients feel a quick twitch in the muscle, which is a natural response. This usually means the right area has been reached.

If you are tired of dealing with tight muscles or lingering soreness, ask us about dry needling. We will help you decide if this treatment is right for you and include it as part of a complete plan for lasting relief. 

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Pregnancy and Back Pain: A Quick Dive

Did you know that one of the most common complaints during pregnancy is back pain, right alongside morning sickness and mood swings? Experts estimate that up to 70% of women will experience lower back pain during pregnancy!

Why is back pain so common? It has to do with the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. In preparation for childbirth, your body creates two hormones–progesterone and relaxin–that loosen the ligaments and joints in your pelvic area (including your sacroiliac joint). This hypermobility destabilizes your joints, causing aches and a higher risk of injury.

The other reason for increased back pain has to do with changes in your center of gravity. As your baby grows, your abdominals weaken and your lower spine pulls forward, which can strain your lower back muscles.

How Infinity Can Help

If pregnancy is causing you pain in your lower back, call us to schedule an appointment. We can develop a drug-free pain management plan to see you through the end of your pregnancy. Depending on the underlying source of your pain, some of the techniques we might try include the following:

  • Postural and biomechanical corrections
  • Exercises, such as therapeutic Yoga
  • Relaxation techniques
  • Modification strategies like supported side-sleeping or using a lumbar roll while sitting

No matter the reason for your back pain, we’re here to help you find relief!

Recipe of the Month: Rosemary Citrus One Pan Baked Salmon

Ingredients:

  • ⅓ cup olive oil
  • 1 small orange (2 Tablespoons juice of orange plus thinly sliced orange slices)
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon garlic, minced
  • ¼ teaspoon orange zest (grated orange peel from orange)
  • 2 Tablespoons fresh rosemary, plus extra to garnish (1 tsp dried rosemary may be substituted)
  • 2 –3 teaspoons honey
  • 10–12 ounces sockeye salmon (whole fillet or three 4 ounces fillets)
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • Optional – thinly sliced orange or lemon
  • Optional- 2 cups chopped/sliced veggies of choice (i.e broccoli, asparagus, green beans, etc.)
  • Additional seasoning of choice or salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Whisk together the olive oil, orange juice, lemon juice, garlic, orange zest, 2 tablespoons rosemary, and optional honey. Set the mixture aside.
  2. Grease or oil a large baking dish. Place the salmon in the baking dish, skin side down. Season the salmon with a pinch of salt.
  3. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  4. Brush the orange rosemary on top of the salmon, and place the salmon in the fridge to marinate for 5-10 minutes while the oven preheats.
  5. After 5-10 minutes, add thin orange slices on top of the salmon (optional), and toss veggies of choice with the reserved marinade or 2 teaspoons of olive oil, lemon juice, or seasoning of choice.
  6. Place the tossed veggies (if using) around the salmon in the pan.
  7. Place the baking dish in the oven for 12-15 minutes or until the salmon is no longer opaque in the middle and the vegetables are cooked through.
  8. Let the salmon rest for 3 minutes before serving.
  9. Add additional salt and pepper to taste.
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