Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction is Painful; Chiropractic Offers Gentle Solutions

Your ability to stand and move around relies heavily on a grouping of bones, joints, and muscles located near your pelvis. Two small joints in particular, called your sacroiliac joints, play a major role in facilitating movement and preventing your hips and pelvis from locking up over time.

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is a common ailment, preventing millions of people from moving pain-free. At Ideal Spine, we’ve worked with our chiropractors to identify a myriad of ways to treat sacroiliac joint pain through our Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP) approach. Rather than turn to pain medication for relief, consider visiting a chiropractor the next time your joints make moving difficult.

What is the sacroiliac joint?

The sacroiliac (SI) joint is an important joint that connects each of your hip bones to the sacrum – a triangular bone settled into your lower back. The joints function in the same way other joints in your body do: they absorb shock as you walk, run, or move around. You have two SI joints, one on each side of your body, and proper function of both is important for ease of movement.

Dysfunction in the SI joints is caused by either too much or too little movement. Inflammation is a common occurrence in both situations, which makes the pelvic region stiff.

Over-exerting the SI joints with an abundance of motion or experiencing pelvic instability due to weak muscles in the pelvic area may result in low back pain, as well as hip pain and potential misalignments in the hips and spine.

On the other hand, moving too little may cause the muscles around your SI joints to stiffen, making it difficult or very painful to move. This type of pain usually plagues one side of the lower back, feels sharp, and is more likely to radiate into the buttocks and legs.

Chiropractic methods to ease SI joint pain

Rest, ice and heat therapy, and pain medication are often the traditionally-prescribed treatments for sacroiliac joint dysfunction. However, chiropractic may offer a more effective solution that also addresses both routine SI joint stress and stress or immobility in other areas of the body simultaneously.

Your chiropractor may utilize the traditional spinal manipulation technique to push your SI joint past its range of motion and reduce pain. During this method, the professional will apply a fast thrust of pressure to your hip. This type of pressure may be repeated in other areas of the body to create full-body alignment and relieve pressure.

Sometimes, this pressure is too much for people with more intense SI joint dysfunction, in which case your chiropractor may opt for a gentler approach.

If your SI joint pain is caused by a lack of mobility, slower spinal mobilization techniques may help loosen up the surrounding muscles and improve your range of motion. Your chiropractor may also use a spring-loaded tool called an Activator to apply low-force pressure to your hips.

Finally, your chiropractor may be able to offer you a wealth of advice about gentle exercises and stretches you can do on your own at home to improve mobility in the SI joints and limit pain in the future. These types of movements are particularly important for athletes or people with inflammatory disorders who tend to stiffen often.

Ideal Spine ensures that our CBP-trained professionals are able to offer a broad look at the musculoskeletal system and how it relates to overall health. Contact one of our chiropractors today to see how they may be able to help you overcome SI joint dysfunction.

Chiropractic BioPhysics® corrective care trained Chiropractors are located throughout the United States and in several international locations. CBP providers have helped thousands of people throughout the world realign their spine back to health, and eliminate a source of chronic back pain, chronic neck pain, chronic headaches and migraines, fibromyalgia, and a wide range of other health conditions. If you are serious about your health and the health of your loved ones, contact a CBP trained provider today to see if you qualify for care. The exam and consultation are often FREE. See www.CBPpatient.com for providers in your area.