What is SI Joint Dysfunction?
SI Joint stands for
Sacroiliac Joint. This is a joint
consisting of the sacrum (tailbone) and ilium (large pelvic bone). This joint is not designed for much motion
except to assist with walking and for shock absorption. For women it is also involved in child birth. The joint is held together with ligaments
that allow 2-4 mm of motion on a regular basis and more when female hormones
are released during the last trimester of pregnancy.
Many different things can
cause pain to this area including arthritis, birth abnormalities, and direct
injuries to the joint.
It is possible to have these
joints shift out of normal alignment.
The ilium may shift up in relation to the other joint or it may
rotate. This may have been caused by a
car accident, a fall, or pregnancy.
A Physical Therapist can
assess your SI Joint to check your pelvic alignment. A trained therapist can help realign these joints
through manual treatment. This can
generally be corrected within the first treatment. Several factors such as core muscle strength,
ligament laxity, and compliance to therapist’s instructions will determine if
it will need re-adjusting in future treatments.
Some people are able to maintain their alignment after the first
treatment.
After correcting this
alignment, it is important that you avoid certain activities that would
encourage it to shift back out of place.
The three main ones include jogging, stairs, and crossing your legs. As the ligaments tighten back up and you
strengthen your core muscles, you may return to these activities.
In the event that your SI
Joint remains unstable, a sacroiliac belt may help provide external
stabilization until your muscles can do this for you.
Correcting your SI Joint
alignment may cause some initial soreness, but should significantly decrease
your pain.
