Sacroiliac joint pain
The sacroiliac (SI) joint is where the upper body meets the lower body by connecting the sacrum with the iliac crest of the pelvis. It transmits all the forces of the upper body to the pelvis and legs and is the center of motion and shock absorption. Something unique about SI joint pain is that it commonly affects young and middle-aged women more than any other group. The onset of back and leg pain usually starts during someone’s 30s or 40s and can become chronic if the underlying causes are not corrected.
Alteration in the normal joint motion may be the culprit behind sacroiliac pain. The pain can be caused by either too much or too little movement in the joint. In cases of hypermobility, there is too much movement creating instability. This pain is typically felt in the lower back or hip and may radiate into the groin area. With hypomobility or fixation, there is too little movement. This pain is typically felt on one side of the low back or buttock and it can radiate down the leg, similar to sciatica. SI joint pain is responsible for up to 30 percent of all radiating low back pain cases.
The sacroiliac joint is surrounded by strong ligaments and muscles such as the erector spinae, psoas, quadratus lumborum, piriformis, abdominal obliques, gluteal muscles and hamstrings, all of which strengthen the SI joint. These surround and encapsulate the sacroiliac joint and all can be affected in sacroiliitis.
For patients with lower back or buttock pain that stems from the sacroiliac joint, chiropractic is often considered the first line of treatment. The chiropractic treatment goal for sacroiliac joint pain is to restore proper motion to the joint. Specific stretches and strengthening exercises are generally used to further stabilize the joint and prevent future problems.
There is a variety of chiropractic techniques that can be used to correct sacroiliac joint dysfunction, so the doctor will choose the method that is best tolerated and yields the best outcome for the patient.
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For more information, contact Dr. Wendy at Haydenhealth@gmail.com.