How to manage sacroiliac joint pain?
The sacroiliac joint also known as SI joint. It is the joint between the sacrum and the ilium bones of the pelvis which are connected by strong ligaments. Sacrum is the bony structure above your tailbone and below lower vertebrae. Ilium is top part of pelvis.
How does SI joint pain feel like?
- Pain in lower back, buttocks, hips and pelvis.
- Pain is limited to just one of the SI joint.
- Pain increases when getting up from sitting position.
- Pain when turning the sides on bed.
- Numbness or weakness.
Causes of SI joint pain-
1. Sacroiliitis - is an inflammation of one or both of your sacroiliac joints.
2. Osteoarthritis – years of stress on your joints can eventually wear down the cartilage and lead to osteoarthritis. It is associated with aging.
3. Ankylosing spondylitis – it is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammatory arthritis that affects vertebrae and joints of spine.
4. Gout – it can happen if your body as high levels of uric acid.
5. Pregnancy – In pregnancy relaxin hormone is released to make SI joint more elastic due to which SI joint become less stable.
6. Injury – trauma resulting from fall or car accident lead to pain in SI joint.
7. Walking pattern – some people have leg length discrepancy due to which they walk in abnormal pattern which put stresses on SI joint.
Management of SI joint pain –
1. Medications – if you get any of above symptoms do visit your doctor and get symptoms diagnosed. Doctor may prescribe you anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxants or steroids.
2. Surgery – surgery is considered as last resort when combination of physiotherapy, medications and minimally invasive interventions hasn’t been effective.
Physiotherapy management –
1. Thermotherapy - – An ice pack can reduces swelling around SI joint and numb the pain you feel. You can use ice or hot pack depending on onset of pain. It helps in reducing pain and reduces muscle spasm.
2. Pain modalities – physiotherapist may use IFT (interferential therapy), TENS (transcutaneous nerve stimulation) or ultrasonic therapy depending upon type and site of pain.
3. Core stability exercises – to strengthen abdominal and back muscles.
4. Manipulative techniques – it helps in improving joint mobility.
5. Proper positioning in sitting and sleeping is also very important. When you sleep in side lying take pillow in between your knees.
6. Isometric exercises – to back muscles, abdominal muscles and gluteal muscles.
7. Stretching exercises – tight muscle stretching is very important to gain normal positioning of joint.
If you are suffering from such pain, do reach out to us.
How does SI joint pain feel like?
- Pain in lower back, buttocks, hips and pelvis.
- Pain is limited to just one of the SI joint.
- Pain increases when getting up from sitting position.
- Pain when turning the sides on bed.
- Numbness or weakness.
Causes of SI joint pain-
1. Sacroiliitis - is an inflammation of one or both of your sacroiliac joints.
2. Osteoarthritis – years of stress on your joints can eventually wear down the cartilage and lead to osteoarthritis. It is associated with aging.
3. Ankylosing spondylitis – it is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammatory arthritis that affects vertebrae and joints of spine.
4. Gout – it can happen if your body as high levels of uric acid.
5. Pregnancy – In pregnancy relaxin hormone is released to make SI joint more elastic due to which SI joint become less stable.
6. Injury – trauma resulting from fall or car accident lead to pain in SI joint.
7. Walking pattern – some people have leg length discrepancy due to which they walk in abnormal pattern which put stresses on SI joint.
Management of SI joint pain –
1. Medications – if you get any of above symptoms do visit your doctor and get symptoms diagnosed. Doctor may prescribe you anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxants or steroids.
2. Surgery – surgery is considered as last resort when combination of physiotherapy, medications and minimally invasive interventions hasn’t been effective.
Physiotherapy management –
1. Thermotherapy - – An ice pack can reduces swelling around SI joint and numb the pain you feel. You can use ice or hot pack depending on onset of pain. It helps in reducing pain and reduces muscle spasm.
2. Pain modalities – physiotherapist may use IFT (interferential therapy), TENS (transcutaneous nerve stimulation) or ultrasonic therapy depending upon type and site of pain.
3. Core stability exercises – to strengthen abdominal and back muscles.
4. Manipulative techniques – it helps in improving joint mobility.
5. Proper positioning in sitting and sleeping is also very important. When you sleep in side lying take pillow in between your knees.
6. Isometric exercises – to back muscles, abdominal muscles and gluteal muscles.
7. Stretching exercises – tight muscle stretching is very important to gain normal positioning of joint.
If you are suffering from such pain, do reach out to us.
