The sacroiliac joints are a critical link between your pelvis and spine. Its main function is to absorb shock for the spine and transmit forces between the upper and lower limbs. This joint is relatively stiff and only allows for a few degrees of movement. Occasionally the SIJ can cause pain and discomfort due to either increased movement or reduced movement.
When the sacroiliac joints are not moving well, either due to stiffness or excessive movement, you can develop SIJ dysfunction. This may be due to repetitive microtrauma, acute trauma, muscle weakness, or hypermobility. SIJ pain is more common in adults and individuals who live a sedentary lifestyle. It can also affect athletes who do a lot of running and kicking as well as during pregnancy due to the release of the hormone relaxin which relaxes the ligaments supporting this joint to assist with child birth.
How can physiotherapy help SIJ pain?
Your physiotherapist will do a detailed assessment of where the pain is coming from. Commonly pain within the SIJ can be referred from the lumbar spine or from the muscles supporting the pelvic girdle, so a thorough movement assessment of your low back and hips will be completed to ensure the right area is being treated. Once we have ruled out alternative causes of your pain, an examination of your SIJ alignment and movement patterns will be completed to determine which side is affected.
Our physiotherapists are trained in Muscle Energy Techniques (METs) to improve alignment of the SIJ. This will use gentle contract relax movements to improve positioning of the sacroiliac joints. We assess muscle imbalances that may be pulling on the joint leading to irritation. This may be due to overactive, underactive or reduced endurance of the adductors, deep gluteal muscles, or abdominals to name a few.
Other treatment techniques may include:
Dry Needling
Massage/Trigger point therapy
Manual therapy
Home strengthening/stretching routine
Advice/Education regarding the cause of your symptoms and how to prevent recurrence
Getting the right diagnosis is important for long term management of SIJ pain. Your physiotherapist will be able to correctly diagnosis and provide a tailored plan to get you back to the activities you love doing.