Sacroiliac Joint Pain

Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Pain is caused by inflammation of the sacroiliac joint(s) and is characterized by pain into the buttocks often localized to one side or the other. The sacroiliac (SI) joint is a joint in the low back connecting the sacrum and the ilium; there is one on the right and one on the left. Studies show that 15-25% of chronic low back pain is sacroiliac joint pain in origin. It is a subcategory of low back pain and requires specific assessment to determine if the cause of the pain is originating from the sacroiliac joint itself, as there are other conditions such as disc pathology and radicular pain which can present with similar location of pain.

Sacroiliac pain is frequently experienced during pregnancy, but often occurs in non-pregnant people as well. Muscle imbalance and muscle weakness are common causes of this dysfunction and can be addressed through manual therapy and corrective exercise. If traditional physical therapy has not produced the desired results, a consult with a pelvic health physical therapist may be warranted, as dysfunction in the pelvic floor muscles can contribute to ongoing sacroiliac joint dysfunction.