You probably take for granted being able to sit, stand, walk and roll over in bed. When you have problems with your sacroiliac joint, these everyday movements can become painful or even feel impossible.
What does your SI joint do?
Your sacroiliac (SI) joint connects your hip bones to the sacrum. When functioning properly, these hip joints absorb shock and allow you to bend and move smoothly. However, if something is disrupting your SI joints, these motions can become very painful and difficult.
While the SI joint does not move very much, its function is to provide flexibility to the pelvis and to absorb shock and transfer the load of the upper body to the legs. The two main mechanisms of SI dysfunction are hypermobility (too much movement) and hypomobility (too little movement). If the SI joint is not working properly, our SI joints can become locked up, allowing for little to no mobility, or it can become too mobile leading to a lack of stability feeling like it could give out. These SI dysfunctions can cause problems with the muscles and ligaments surrounding the joint, which can then lead to pain and changes in how well you can bend and twist.
Symptoms you may experience with SI joint pain:
If you have SI joint pain, you will often experience pain in the buttock or lower back. The pain can also radiate to other areas of the hip, groin or even down your legs. Often, inflammation within the SI joint will cause you to feel pain on only one side but it is not uncommon to feel pain on both sides of the hip region. The pain can start gradually or can start as a result of trauma or an injury. Another sign of SI dysfunction is increased stiffness. Like pain, stiffness can be felt in other areas besides the SI joint such as the low back and pelvis. Another sign of SI dysfunction is instability or the feeling that your low back or pelvis is going to give out or buckle while standing or walking.
If you are experiencing hip pain, stiffness or instability, PT can help! The therapists at LSTC will create a personalized plan of care, based on your diagnosis in order to decrease your pain and help you return to your daily activities. We will focus on strengthening the muscles around your joint and ensuring correct body mechanics to allow you to return to your daily activities with good form and less pain.
By: Alyssa Burke, PTA
SI Joints are Crucial to Enjoying Everyday Life
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