The sacro-iliac joint (SIJ) is a common cause of lower back pain. It is a joint missed by many health professionals as the SIJ is often wrongly perceived as an immovable joint. The SIJ synchronises its movement with the hip joint. The gluteal muscles are responsible for stabilising the SIJ. 

Causes of SIJ injury

Common causes we hear from our patients described as:

• “Stepped wrong”.

• “missed a step while going downstairs”.

• “Landed hard onto the foot”.

Other causes of SIJ pain include:

• Job type, especially prevalent also in workers who are required to lift repetitively.

• Pregnancy is a major factor in causing SIJ pain. Hormonal changes soften the sacroiliac ligaments to facilitate delivery. This causes the joint to be very unstable.

Symptoms

• A jolt of pain up near the lower back and buttock area during walking.

• Referred pain down to the groin as well as the lateral side of the thigh.

• Turning in bed can often be painful.

What we do here in physiotherapy?

Your physiotherapist will conduct a series of assessments to determine the stability and the alignment of your SIJ.

Our treatment principle aims to stabilise the SIJ to achieve long-term pain relief.

1. Through massage and muscle-energy technique to decompress and re-align the SIJ.

2. Encourage activation and control of the gluteus muscles and core muscles.

3. Taping or bracing for harnessing the joint is effective in reducing pain.