The sacroiliac joint is a crucial component of function and mobility in the human body as its main purpose is to transmit all weight and forces from the upper body towards the hip and legs. This transfer of forces provides stability during movements, especially movements with single leg weight bearing.
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is estimated to be responsible for 15-30% of all lower back pain cases. It has the same dull achy pain caused by other low back pain conditions, as well as painful flares when standing for long periods or lying on the affected side. It can also have radiating leg pain similar to sciatica making it difficult to differentiate and diagnose. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction can be caused by both too much movement and too little movement, as the former can lead to instability in the pelvis while the latter is caused by muscle tension around the joint. Proper posture when standing is also very important as it would determine the amount of stress is put onto the joint. Diagnosis of this condition may be done through an X-ray or an MRI through the sacroiliac joint to examine the damage done to the bone and ligaments.
What can we do to treat sacroiliac joint dysfunction?
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction can be treated through stretches to relieve the tension around the joint, as well as gentle exercises to increase range of motion without aggravating the pain. Strengthening exercises can also be done for the core muscles and low back muscles to aid in stabilizing the upper body and reduce burden to the sacroiliac joint.
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