Understanding Sacroiliac Joint Pain

The sacroiliac joint can be a source of pain in the lower back and thighs. Dr. Shim explains why, and what treatment option are available.

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Citations:

Dydyk AM, Forro SD, Hanna A. Sacroiliac Joint Injury . 2021 Jan; PubMed PMID: 32491804

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[Texas_Squatch]

Wow, I finally found the source of my pain that I have had for 3 months now. I did not even realize there was a joint there and have never even heard of the sacroiliac joint. Thanks so much !

[NicholasLeeson]

I removed my SI Joint pain via two methods: First: Gunn IMS Dry Needling along the spine (specifically the muscles along the spine that were clenched). Second: After being referred to a bio-mechanical specialist, who first tested the forces on my feet via a Pressure Plate Analysis (to see the differences across my two feet as I walked on it) followed by a visual observation on a tread mill; a 3mm shim was added to my left shoe inside over its heal, which was later upgraded to a 5mm shim, and then eventually later built into some new orthotics. The shim kept my hips level, and the Gunn IMS Dry Needling kept my muscles free to work. Prior to all this, I had developed arthritis in my left foot's big toe with the occasional shooting pain, plus pain in my right hip during long walks. The hip pain went away after both the shim and the Gunn IMS Dry Needling. The joint mobility in my left foot's big toe is still limited, partly due to the arthritis and partly due to some clenching of the muscles in my feet, but its inflammation appears to be gone, as I don't get the occasional shooting pain there now anymore, and am now free to do my activities. Likely, the SI joint pain was due to having one leg shorter than the other, by 5mm, causing the hips to no longer be level, which over time caused the above issues. Because I didn't discover all this until my late 30s, my SI Joint mobility is now different from the left to right hip, but as long as I wear my shoes with the shim (most of the time) in my left foot's shoe, the hips stay level, and the pain stays away. I occasionally get a Gunn IMS tune up too. It took quite a few specialists to eventually discover all this. For example, both a Chiropractor and an Osteopath visually assessed my leg length while lying down with bent knees, and both concluded that my legs were the same length. The bio-mechanical specialist didn't do this, but instead used computer imagery, via the Pressure Plate Analysis, plus the visual assessment of how level my hips were, during a weight bearing scenario (i.e. standing up and walking on a tread mill; not lying down with bent knees), to conclude the imbalance. To truly discover if any of your bones have different lengths, you'd need to do an x-ray called a Scanogram, which I've not yet done.

[folkheartandsoul]

I have been in such pain for a month, and after 1 session of these exercises, the pain is gone! Crying for joy! Thank you kindly🌺

[anitagutierrez]

Good video Dr. Shim. I was studying SI joint exam and pathologies and came across your excellent video. You are the man!! Rick Gutierrez MD

[yogaromastro]

One of the main causes of sij pain or discomfort comes from BAD posture. As a yoga teacher for the last 35 years I have helped people sit on their ischial tuberosities, tilt the pelvis forward, restrain from placing their back on the chair, and most importantly, avoid crowding their thighs. Most people don’t manage their structure and alignment and the sijoints rely on these basics. Hope this helps 😊

[sionandjess]

Thank you this is a great video to show family and friends that don’t understand what sacroilitis is or where the pain I have stems from xx

[neilmorton]

I’ve lived my entire adult life getting acute back pain flare ups. I’ve also always had chronic aching in my pelvis and legs but just ignored it as daily aches and pains. I also get the pain shooting into the buttock if I move the wrong way. I always thought it was how I was moving my back or it was just a remaining ache from the last flare up. it wasn’t. It’s when I move my pelvis in the wrong way which is causing the problem. Some days my movement is so limited due to being in complete agony if I move in the wrong way! I shall be heading back to the dr to examine for possible arthritis in the si joints as my symptoms are so similar! Thanks for this video.

[kellybreault]

I am seeing Chiro for the first time. My sacrum was twisted. SI joint has been an annoying pain for a few years now. Your video explained more for better understanding. Thank you for sharing.

[kellivance-mcclary]

This pain can also be caused by NR-AxSpa. It took a year for the 4th rheumatologist to figure out what was going on. I am in so much pain and most days have trouble walking. Waiting for insurance to cooperate and approve a biologic medicine.

[PacoOtis]

Excellent! Thanks for sharing in a manner we can understand! Best of luck!

[alvind.]

Thank you doctor, my physical therapist believes the persistent pain in my lower left back is coming from my SI joint and surrounding ligaments. I have had this pain for many years and have had multiple procedures done to my spine including, spinal fusion and injections to my spine and hip. I am now disabled and so frustrated that none of my doctors will investigate this as a possible source of my pain. I am sure this is the situation of many people who suffer from this type of pain.

[troyfluent]

Thank you for another great video. I really enjoy your tutorials. However please mention chiropractic care as a possible treatment. In my practice we treat this quite successfully. Thanks
Dr Troy

[BluJean]

I have severe SI joint pain. I work in a kitchen all day, standing for 9 hours a day for almost 18 years now. I had the injections of the SI joint and they worked great for 3 weeks and now I’m in far more pain than I ever was before. I’m desperate for relief so I’m going to get the injections again against my better judgment. They are suggesting an SI joint fusion but I’m not on board with that.

[johngober]

I have pain in the same area but it runs into my glutes and testes. It hurts whenever I bend over for more than a minute or two. People don't understand the pain we have. It's something they know nothing about. I hope I can one day get treated and find peace. I have attempted suicide by hanging twice from a low rope with knees hovering over ground and woke up panicking and the last time was trying to get the police to shoot me over a knife. They tased me and i cried and asked why they didn't shoot me and they didn't say anything. I want the pain to stop. No one should feel this way. So many people are suffering and I want to help them but there is nothing I can do. I am seen as a crazy person cause I went to a psych facility. I wasn't crazy. I was sane. If you have so much pain a normal person can turn suicidal. I hope you are ok and I hope anyone that is in this pain can find help. I am struggling so bad. Why is life like this?

[jmda]

I have horrible chronic sacroiliac pain! Went to an orthopedic group for it and was told nothing they can do. Refused pain meds, but chiropractor has been helpful.

[destinymicole]

Yoni Steaming may help with the pain being that it affects the pelvic area. I was heard someone say that yoni steaming helped their sciatic and SI joint pain is known to cause sciatica related symptoms. Wishing healing on everyone experiencing this issue. 🙏🏾

[brucewinningham]

Dr. Shim, I Love your videos. They are easy to understand.

[MzGumby]

Was in a bad car accident back in 2003. It messed up my lower back and neck. Now that I'm older this is what I'm dealing with, and something going on with my tail bone. I also have a old torn acl injury, so I can only balance on one side of my body. I'm supposed to get a CT scan, and see a neurologist soon. We'll see what happens. This is actually pretty painful to deal with. Thanks for the insight. <3

[Katie-vyrd]

Great vid! Actually exceptional.. so thanks so much! I have this right now and getting a good Physical therapist is key here !

[jmda]

I have been dealing with chronic pain from this for years, orthopedic couldn’t help but the chiropractor gives some relief. I also have Sjögren’s which causes chronic inflammation and definitely aggravates this problem.