Chiropractic Treatment for Sacroiliac Joint Pain

The sacroiliac (SI) joint — the connection between the triangular sacral bone at the base of the spine and the iliac wings of the pelvis — is a frequently overlooked source of low back and hip pain. Research estimates that approximately 25% of low back pain presentations involve primary SI joint dysfunction. Despite this, it is routinely missed in standard diagnostic workups that focus on the lumbar discs and facets.

How to Recognize SI Joint Pain

SI joint pain typically presents as a deep aching pain in one or both buttocks, sometimes radiating into the groin or down the back of the thigh. It is often aggravated by climbing stairs, crossing the legs, getting in and out of cars, rolling over in bed, or prolonged sitting on one side. It may be worse with walking and better when lying down.

What Causes SI Joint Dysfunction

The SI joint can become inflamed, hypermobile, or locked (hypomobile) as a result of trauma, pregnancy, leg-length discrepancy, or prolonged asymmetrical stress. Auto accidents and slip-and-fall injuries frequently disrupt SI joint mechanics due to the lateral and shearing forces involved.

Research on Treatment

A well-designed study by Kamali and Shokri examined 32 women with chronic sacroiliac pain. Patients were divided into two groups: one receiving SI joint manipulation alone, the other receiving both SI joint and lumbar manipulation. The combined-treatment group achieved significantly greater pain reduction and functional improvement. This finding supports a whole-lumbar-pelvis approach to SI joint care rather than treating the joint in isolation.

At Total Health Family Clinic, our doctors are trained to diagnose and treat sacroiliac dysfunction as part of a comprehensive lumbo-pelvic assessment. If you have been experiencing buttock or hip pain without a clear diagnosis, call our Hyattsville or District Heights office for an evaluation.