If you’ve been dealing with nagging lower back pain or buttock pain that just won’t quit, there’s a chance the source of pain isn’t your spine at all – it might be your SI joints. Sacroiliac joint pain is more common than most people realize, and it’s frequently misdiagnosed or overlooked entirely.
So the real question is: can a chiropractor actually help? The short answer is yes – but let’s break down what that looks like, why it works, and what you should know before booking an appointment.
What Are the SI Joints and Why Do They Cause Problems?
The sacroiliac joint connects your sacrum – the triangular bone at the base of your spine – to your hip bone on each side of your pelvis. These joints act as shock absorbers between your upper and lower body, taking the impact of walking, running, and everyday movement.
Because the SI joints carry a significant load and are supported by a dense network of ligaments, they’re vulnerable to both too much movement (hypermobility) and too little. Either extreme can cause pain.
Common Causes of SI Joint Pain
There are several things that can cause SI joint pain or aggravate an existing SI joint problem.
These include:
- Traumatic injury, such as a fall or car accident
- Pregnancy, which loosens the ligaments around the SI and shifts the pelvis
- Arthritis or osteoarthritis affecting the cartilage in the joint
- Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory condition that can fuse the spine and pelvis
- Unequal leg length, which alters gait and can stress the SI joint over time
- Scoliosis or other spinal imbalances
- Muscle imbalances involving the gluteal muscles, piriformis muscle, or hip flexors
Sacroiliitis – inflammation of the sacroiliac joint – can also cause SI joint pain, especially when it stems from autoimmune or inflammatory disease.
Recognizing the Symptoms of SI Joint Pain
The symptoms of SI joint dysfunction can mimic other conditions, which makes diagnosis tricky.
Pain in the SI joint typically shows up as pain in the lower back, buttock, or thigh – and sometimes travels down the leg in a pattern that looks like sciatica.
Common symptoms of SI joint pain include:
- Pain in the upper buttock or deep gluteus maximus area
- Aching or stiffness in the lower back that worsens with prolonged sitting or standing
- Buttock pain that radiates into the thigh or knee
- Discomfort when transitioning from sitting to standing
- Reduced range of motion in the hips or lumbar vertebrae region
If you’re experiencing SI joint pain on one side, that’s actually a classic presentation. Joint misalignment or dysfunction tends to be asymmetrical, which is one reason the SI joints are sometimes missed on imaging, such as X-ray.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help SI Joint Dysfunction
Chiropractic care is considered a first-line treatment option for SI joint dysfunction, and for good reason. A chiropractor doesn’t just focus on the spine in isolation – they assess the entire musculoskeletal system, including the pelvis, sacrum, hips, and the soft tissue surrounding the SI joint.
What a Chiropractic Evaluation Looks Like
When you see a chiropractor for SI joint pain, the process typically starts with a thorough physical examination. The chiropractor may review your health history, assess your posture and gait, and perform specific orthopedic tests to confirm that pain originates from the SI joint and not another structure.
This kind of chiropractic evaluation helps rule out a herniated disc, piriformis syndrome, or other conditions that can cause pain in the same region.
Chiropractic Adjustments for the SI Joint
A chiropractic adjustment of the sacroiliac joint is one of the most effective treatments for SI joint pain relief. Unlike a forceful adjustment applied to the lumbar spine, an adjustment of the sacroiliac joint is often gentler and more targeted – focused on restoring proper joint movement and reducing inflammation in the surrounding connective tissue.
The traditional chiropractic adjustment for SI dysfunction uses controlled force to improve joint function and reduce the nerve irritation that contributes to chronic pain.
For patients who can’t tolerate joint manipulation, there are also low-force alternatives. Instrument-assisted adjustments and manual therapy techniques like myofascial release can also help treat your SI joint pain without aggressive pressure.
Additional Treatments for SI Joint Pain
Chiropractic care offers more than just adjustments. Depending on your treatment plan, your chiropractor may recommend:
- Massage therapy to release tension in the gluteal muscles and surrounding soft tissue
- Cold laser therapy to reduce inflammation and support tissue healing
- Cupping therapy to improve circulation around the SI joint
- Spinal decompression if the pain involves spinal structures in addition to SI dysfunction
- Rehabilitative exercise to strengthen the muscles that support the pelvis and reduce long-term SI joint instability
In some cases, an SI belt may also be recommended to provide external support to the pelvis during recovery.
Why Choose Chiropractic Over Other Options?
Many patients dealing with SI pain try medication or rest before exploring chiropractic SI joint care – and often find temporary relief at best. Chiropractic care stands out because it addresses the cause of your pain, not just the symptom.
Seeing a chiropractor for SI joint issues means getting a hands-on, whole-body approach that can improve joint biomechanics, reduce inflammation, and help you build the strength needed to prevent recurrence. For chronic SI joint conditions, an ongoing treatment plan can make a meaningful difference in quality of life.
Compared to orthopedic surgery or long-term reliance on analgesics, chiropractic treatment offers a low-risk path to treating SI joint dysfunction – one that’s especially well-suited for patients who want to stay active and avoid invasive procedures.
Conclusion
SI joint dysfunction is a real and treatable condition, and chiropractic care is one of the most effective tools available for addressing it. At Elite Chiropractic Rehab and Wellness in Walnut Creek, Dr. Ben Rosenstein and Dr. Tony Cresci take a thorough, personalized approach to help treat your SI joint pain from the root cause. Whether you’re experiencing SI joint pain for the first time or managing a chronic SI joint condition, the right chiropractic center can make all the difference. Call 925-476-5070 or visit elitecrw.com to schedule your evaluation today.