Treatment Options for SI Joint Pain
By Debra Rodzinak
The sacroiliac joint (SI) causes pain for many people. The SI joint is located at the bottom of the spine and the pelvis. Unlike the other joints of the spine, this joint has only a limited range of motion. Increased stress on this particular joint causes pain in the lower back, buttocks, or even the legs.
If you have been identified by a spine specialist as having SI joint pain, there are several treatment options available that don’t involve drugs or surgery. Since most pain associated with SI joint pain is caused from increased motion or stress in the joint, even sitting or sleeping can cause pain in the back and legs.
Ice
The use of ice is commonly known to decrease pain. Ice or a cold pack applied to the painful area can be helpful in decreasing pain. Be sure to wrap the ice or cold pack in a towel to protect the exposed skin from a nasty ice burn. This can be one of the most efficient treatments for pain relief. Apply this type of treatment for 20 minutes, several times per day.
Physical Therapy
Used for many different types of chronic pain and injuries, physical therapy combined with exercise is known to not only relieve pain, but strengthen the body and increase mobility. Some methods of physical therapy include:
- Massage
- Joint and bone manipulation
- Soft tissue manual therapy
- Microcurrent stimulation
- Particular exercises to increase movement
Chiropractic Therapy
Chiropractic care can be very beneficial in relieving back pain. By increasing the range of motion in the spine and realigning the spinal joints, pressure and pain can be decreased in the lower part of the back. Many different types of adjustments are used to relieve pressure and pain using either traditional spinal manipulation with a high-velocity, low amplitude (HVLA) thrust or a gentle forceful adjustment called spinal mobilization. Both have been found to be beneficial in relieving pain and discomfort.
If you have been identified by your primary doctor as having SI joint pain and are looking for treatment options that don’t involve drugs or surgery, come by The Joint for a gentle chiropractic adjustment. At The Joint, our expert doctors work with you to provide pain relief on your terms. The Joint is reinventing the chiropractic experience by putting you in charge of your treatment. Drop by The Joint today to begin your path to SI joint pain relief.