At one point or another we have all experienced some form of lower back and/or hip pain. Pain, however, is a very broad concept when it comes to trying to figure out the source. A lot of clients come in with a pain in these regions and feel like it's a sciatica flare up. While this may be the case, there are a few different causes for this pain. For simplicity, we will be discussing dysfunctions in the sacroiliac joint.
What is the sacroiliac joint?
This is the part of the pelvis where the ilium (commonly referred to as the "hip" bone) attaches to the sacrum - hence the name Sacro-Iliac. They have very strong and stable ligaments to keep the joint secure since it is the main junction for support for the spine and the lower limbs. It helps keep the pelvis balances with movements like walking or climbing stairs where one foot is off the ground, creating an imbalance. When there is a disturbance in this support, those simple movements can be debilitating, which is why it is critical to understand the root cause. Common injuries to the SI joint are overstretched ligaments (from a slip, or fall), a lack of mobility in the spine, unilateral movements (constantly crossing one leg over the other, or having your wallet in the back pocket), excessive twisting movements of the lower back and pelvis and poor body mechanics. Symptoms are usually pain in the back of the hip along the SI joint with referral pain to the front of the pelvis and down the leg. There my also be a lack of mobility in the lower back and hips and pain with associated movement. Depending on the source and what's affected, there are several different options for care:
Massage Therapy - can help reduce swelling and inflammation from an injury as well as address muscle imbalances (tense vs weak) to help restore the pelvic balance
Chiropractic Care - to address any joint irritation and nerve entrapment.
Physiotherapy - for ongoing maintenance and stability of the joint to restore proper function.
Being mindful of your body mechanics is key to help prevent a dysfunction like this from happening. Paying attention to how you're sitting/standing/walking and making adjustments to ensure that both sides of your body are balanced. Adding more core stability exercises is a good idea as well to make sure the joint is stable should there be an acute injury. Exercises like planks, squats, and bridge poses are great! Some of these exercises can be found on my previous post here. It is always best to speak to your health care practitioner if you're experiencing these symptoms, but now you know what can be done to prevent it from getting worse.
Thank you for taking the time to stop by today and I hope you have a great day!
Reference:
5 steps to RELIEVE SI joint pain: SI JOINT STRETCHES. (2019, April 23). Retrieved April 18, 2021, from https://laurenohayon.com/5-steps-to-relieve-si-joint-pain/
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