SI Joint Pain Treatment in Boise, Idaho
Pain around the sacroiliac (SI) joint can cause discomfort along one side of the lower back, upper buttock, or posterior hip and may make sitting, standing, walking, lifting, or exercising uncomfortable. Because several structures in the low back and hip can produce symptoms in this same region, accurately identifying the likely source of pain is an important part of treatment.
At Juke Chiropractic & Sports Rehab, we evaluate the SI joint alongside the lumbar spine, hips, surrounding muscles, strength, and movement to determine what may be contributing to your symptoms.
Treatment may include chiropractic care, joint mobilization, Active Release Technique (ART), soft tissue treatment, mobility work, and progressive exercise rehabilitation based on your examination and goals.
What Is the Sacroiliac Joint?
The sacroiliac joints are located where the sacrum at the base of the spine connects with the pelvis.
These joints are designed to provide stability while allowing small amounts of movement as forces transfer between the spine and lower extremities.
When the SI joint or surrounding structures become irritated, symptoms are commonly felt around the lower back and upper buttock.
Common symptoms may include:
-
Pain on one side of the lower back
-
Pain around the upper buttock
-
Discomfort near the back of the pelvis
-
Pain when transitioning from sitting to standing
-
Symptoms with prolonged sitting or standing
-
Discomfort when walking or climbing stairs
-
Pain during lifting or exercise
-
Symptoms when rolling over or changing positions in bed
-
Discomfort with certain single-leg activities
Symptoms can sometimes extend into the hip or thigh, which is one reason SI joint pain may be confused with other low-back or hip conditions.
Is My Pain Actually Coming From the SI Joint?
Pain near the SI joint does not necessarily mean the SI joint itself is responsible.
The lumbar spine, hip, muscles, and nerves can all produce symptoms around the low back, buttock, and posterior hip.
Rather than diagnosing SI joint dysfunction based solely on where you point to the pain, we use your history and a combination of examination findings to determine whether the SI joint appears to be contributing.
This also helps differentiate SI joint pain from conditions such as lumbar disc problems, sciatica, muscular pain, and hip-related conditions.
How We Evaluate SI Joint Pain
Your evaluation begins with understanding where your symptoms are located, how they started, and which movements or activities make them better or worse.
Depending on your presentation, we may assess:
-
SI joint provocation testing
-
Lumbar spine movement
-
Hip mobility
-
Hip and glute strength
-
Trunk strength and control
-
Neurological findings when indicated
-
Single-leg movement and balance
-
Squatting and hinging mechanics
-
Walking or running-related movements
-
Activities specific to your work, exercise, or sport
Rather than relying on one individual test, multiple findings are considered together when determining whether the SI joint is a likely contributor.
Chiropractic Care for SI Joint Pain
Chiropractic treatment may be incorporated when joint restriction, pain, or movement limitations are present and manual treatment is appropriate.
Depending on your examination, treatment may involve manipulation or mobilization of the pelvis, lumbar spine, or surrounding joints.
The goal is not to repeatedly "put the pelvis back into place." Instead, manual treatment may be used to improve comfortable movement and reduce symptoms while we address other relevant factors through rehabilitation.
Active Release Technique and Soft Tissue Treatment
Muscles surrounding the pelvis, hip, and lower back can influence symptoms and movement around the SI region.
When appropriate, Active Release Technique (ART) and other soft tissue techniques may be used to address areas of muscle tension, tenderness, or restricted movement.
Treatment may involve structures around the glutes, hips, low back, or surrounding areas depending on your examination findings.
Exercise Rehabilitation for SI Joint Pain
For persistent or recurring SI joint symptoms, strengthening and movement-based rehabilitation can be particularly important.
Rather than attempting to completely prevent movement around the pelvis, rehabilitation focuses on improving your ability to control and tolerate the forces that pass through the region.
Depending on your needs, exercises may include:
-
Trunk and core strengthening
-
Glute strengthening
-
Hip strengthening
-
Single-leg stability exercises
-
Hip mobility
-
Squatting and hinging progressions
-
Carrying exercises
-
Progressive resistance training
-
Running or sport-specific progressions
Exercises are progressed according to your symptoms, current abilities, and the activities you want to return to.
SI Joint Pain in Athletes and Active Adults
Running, lifting, skiing, hiking, golf, and other activities require the pelvis to efficiently transfer force between the upper and lower body.
For active patients, simply reducing discomfort during everyday activities may not be enough.
As symptoms improve, rehabilitation can progress toward heavier resistance, single-leg loading, rotational movements, running, and other activities specific to your goals.
Our goal is to help you confidently return to activity rather than creating long-term fear around bending, lifting, or loading the pelvis.
SI Joint Pain vs. Sciatica
SI joint pain and sciatica can sometimes feel similar, particularly when symptoms involve the buttock or upper leg.
Sciatica typically involves irritation of the sciatic nerve or nerve roots contributing to it and may produce radiating pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness extending farther into the leg.
SI joint-related pain is more commonly concentrated around the lower back, posterior pelvis, and buttock, although symptom patterns can overlap.
A physical and neurological examination can help determine whether nerve involvement appears to be present.
When Should SI Joint Pain Be Evaluated?
Pain around the SI joint that persists, repeatedly returns, or limits sitting, walking, lifting, exercise, or other normal activities is worth evaluating.
More urgent medical evaluation may be necessary when symptoms are associated with significant trauma, progressive weakness, loss of bowel or bladder control, saddle-region numbness, fever, unexplained illness, or other concerning findings.
For most mechanical low-back and SI-region complaints, an examination can help determine which structures may be contributing and which conservative treatment options are appropriate.
