Conditions We Treat
Sacroiliac Joint Pain: Effective Treatment Options
Frequently misdiagnosed. Highly treatable when correctly identified.
SI joint pain is frequently misdiagnosed — accurate diagnosis is the first step to relief.
SI Joint Pain Isn't Always What It Seems
Pain in the low back (commonly on one side or the other), buttock, or upper leg is often labeled as a "disc issue" or general back pain. However, in many cases, injury to the sacroiliac joint is the main cause of discomfort, which is often referred to as sacroiliac joint pain. This type of pain can closely mimic disc or nerve-related pain, making accurate diagnosis crucial for effective back pain relief.
The challenge is that SI joint pain typically does not show clearly on imaging and is frequently misdiagnosed or overlooked. Therefore, identifying the correct source is essential for determining the appropriate SI joint pain treatment.
What is the SI joint?
What Is the SI Joint and Why Does It Become Painful?
The SI joints are located just above your buttocks and below your belt-line (one on each side) and play a key role in transferring force between your torso (core) and lower extremities. This is why individuals often experience sacroiliac joint pain during activities like walking or prolonged sitting. An injured SI joint can lead to pain when it is subjected to stress and loading, making effective back pain relief essential.
Pain can develop in the SI joint when it becomes:
Does This Sound Like You?
Many of our SI joint patients describe one or more of these:
Pain predominantly on one side during prolonged sitting (like computer work or long car rides)
Pain that is worsened when getting in or out of a chair or car
Persistent pain since pregnancy
Pain that radiates into your groin or down your leg
Pain that hasn't improved with prior care
How Do We Determine if the SI Joint is Causing Your Pain?
Because symptoms of sacroiliac joint pain overlap with other conditions, it is often misdiagnosed. Identifying whether the SI joint is involved is critical for effective back pain relief. Your evaluation focuses on:
An extensive history that will include details about the onset of your pain, how it affects you, and previous care you've tried.
Specific orthopedic tests for SI joint involvement.
Movement and load testing.
Identifying stability or control deficits.
Noticing if one leg feels heavier upon lifting while lying on your back, which eases with manual compression.
The goal is to confirm whether the SI joint is actually the primary pain generator or if another structure is responsible, guiding your SI joint pain treatment.
What Makes Our Approach Different
How We Get You Better
Diagnose
Specific orthopedic provocation tests, movement and load assessment, and clinical history to confirm SI joint involvement and rule out disc or nerve causes.
Treat
Manual joint mobilization, soft tissue therapy, and specialized SI bracing to reduce irritation, restore normal joint mechanics, and relieve pain.
Stabilize
Targeted rehabilitation exercises that train the muscles responsible for SI joint stability — addressing the underlying cause so the problem does not recur.
Why SI Joint Pain Often Persists
Many treatments for back pain relief focus solely on reducing symptoms without addressing the underlying causes of sacroiliac joint pain. Common contributing factors to SI joint pain include:
Without correcting these issues, symptoms often return — even after temporary relief.
Published Research
Dr. Block has extensively studied SI Joint Pain and has had a case report for sacroiliac conditions accepted for publication. Sacroiliac joint pain is commonly associated with instability in the joint. Treatment may include manual joint or soft tissue manipulation, specialized SI bracing, and specific exercises that train your muscles to provide increased stability as part of an effective SI Joint Pain treatment.
Related Conditions We Commonly Help
Back Pain can often stem from various issues, including Disc Injuries and Sciatica.
Get Clear Answers About Your SI Joint Pain
If you're dealing with persistent or confusing low back pain, the most important first step is identifying the correct source to explore effective back pain relief options.