Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Dysfunction can be difficult to diagnose. That’s because the SI joints are so close to the hip bones and lumbar spine. It’s not uncommon for SI Joint Dysfunction to be mistaken for a herniated or bulging disc, or for any number of other commonly diagnosed causes of lower back and hip pain. SI joints are hard-working, weight-bearing joints. You have two: one on the left and one on the right side of your pelvis. They connect your sacrum and your right and left iliac bones. The ligaments and cartilage that surround them are some of the strongest in your body. Your SI joints have numerous nerve endings, which can make them extremely sensitive to pain. That pain can come and go, and it can present in places other than your back. You could feel it in your hips, thighs, groin, even your feet. If you’re feeling pain in any of these areas while doing simple daily activities such as climbing stairs, transitioning from side to side while laying down, or getting up from a chair, or if your pain is aggravated from walking or standing for long periods of time, but subsides when laying still, then you may be suffering from SI Joint Dysfunction.
If you’re feeling a stiffness or a burning sensation in your pelvis, it might be a symptom of SI Joint Dysfunction. The most common causes of SI Joint Dysfunction are altered gait, trauma such as motor vehicle accidents and pregnancy, but often there isn’t a clear identifying inciting event. Our Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialists diagnose and treat this musculoskeletal conditions using a holistic, multidisciplinary approach. To determine whether you have SI Joint Dysfunction or something else, your doctor will perform a series of tests ranging from compression and rotation tests to scans and lab work. If these tests don’t reveal an obvious an obvious source of your pain, then the doctor may use an SI joint injection to diagnose your condition. This is one of the most accurate methods of diagnosing SI Joint Dysfunction. The injection includes a numbing medication and a steroid. If the injection works, it tells your doctor the SI joints are the source of at least some of your pain.
Other treatments might include heat and ice application, pain and anti-inflammatory medications, and chiropractic care. Your doctor may also suggest a series of stretching and strengthening exercises to alleviate pain and help prevent recurrence. Physical therapy can be particularly effective, especially when your therapist has had training in manual techniques. Between 50 and 80 percent of pregnant women experience back pain. Common sciatica treatments include prenatal massage, chiropractic care, and self-care like stretching. Sitting or standing for a long time can contribute to pain, so switching up your position throughout the day may help. Sciatica, also known as lumbosacral radicular syndrome, is caused by irritation of your sciatic nerve which starts in the lumbar or lower spine and ends in the thigh. you may have pain in your buttocks and hip that travels to your thigh. It can be a deep, dull pain or a shooting, sharp pain. Sciatic pain can range
from mild to severe. It often goes away with treatment. Sciatic pain is typically caused by lumbar spine problems, such as a bulging or herniated disc. It can also be caused by bone changes, such as spinal narrowing or stenosis, osteoarthritis or degenerative disc disease, or another condition affecting the spine called spondylolisthesis. These situations can put pressure on the sciatic nerve, causing symptoms. Sciatica due to a herniated disc during pregnancy isn’t common. But, sciatic-like symptoms are common with low back pain in pregnancy. In fact, between 50 and 80 percent of women have back pain during their pregnancies. Sciatic symptoms can also be caused by muscle tension and unstable joints. Pelvic bone pain, sacroiliac (SI) joint problems, and a condition called piriformis syndrome, which is a problem with one of the muscles in the buttocks, are common causes of sciatic painThis is due to an increase in pregnancy hormones like relaxin,
which can cause your ligaments, the structures that attach bones to joints, to loosen and stretch, especially in your pelvic area. Your baby’s weight can also add to SI joint trouble or piriformis syndrome because it puts extra pressure on your pelvis and hip joints. Occasionally the position of your baby can add pressure to Symptoms of sciatic pain include: occasional or constant pain in one side of your buttocks or legpain along the sciatic nerve path, from the buttocks down the back of your thigh and to the foot sharp, shooting, or burning painnumbness, pins and needles, or weakness in the affected leg or foot difficulty walking, standing, or sitting Always call your doctor if you are Treatments for sciatic pain during pregnancy include massage, chiropractic care, and physical therapy. of sciatic pain during pregnancy includes exercises to help stretch the muscles of the leg, buttocks, and hip to decrease the pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Some people also find nonweight-bearing exercises, such as swimming, to be helpful. This is because the water helps to support the weight of your baby. Try these five stretches to help ease sciatic pain and discomfort during your pregnancy. 1. Seated piriformis stretch The piriformis muscle is deepWhen tight, it can irritate the sciatic nerve. will help relieve tightness in the muscle. This can help decrease sciatic pain. on a chair with your feet flat on the ground. your left side is affected, put your left ankle on your right knee. Keeping a straight back, lean forward until you feel a stretch throughRepeat throughout the day. This feels great during pregnancy. It helps stretch the muscles of the back, buttocks, and the back of the Target muscles: low back, Stand facing a table with your feet slightly wider than your hips. Lean forward with your hands on the table. Keep your arms straight and your back flat.
Pull your hips away from the table until you feel a nice stretch in the lower back and back of the You can also move your hips side to side to increase the stretch in the lower back and hips. Hold this position for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Repeat twice a day. This popular yoga pose helps relieve sciatic-like pain during pregnancy. With a few small changes, it can be practiced comfortably while pregnant. towel or yoga block Target muscles: hip rotators on your hands and knees on the floor. your right knee forward so it’s between your hands. your left leg back, keeping your foot on the floor. the rolled towel or a yoga block under your right hip. This will make the stretch easier and allow room for your belly. forward over your right leg. Slowly lower yourself toward the ground, putting a pillow under your head and arms for support.Repeat on other side. Repeat a few times throughout the day. The hip flexors are the
muscles along the front of the hip that help move the leg forward duringMany women have tight hip flexors during pregnancy. This can affect pelvic alignment and posture, causing pain. Target muscles: hip flexors Kneel on the floor on your hands and knees. one foot in front of you so that your hip and knee are at a 90-degree Shift your weight forward until you feel a stretch in the front of your back hip and leg. for 30 seconds, then repeat on other side. 5. Glute and hamstring A foam roller is an inexpensive piece of equipment you can use to help massage your muscles. rolling is a great way to soothe and relax tight muscles that may be contributing to increased pain. The roller acts like a mini massage for tight muscles and connective tissue. Equipment needed: foam roller calf muscles, glutes, piriformis Place a foam roller on the Sit on the foam roller, supporting yourself with your hands behind you.