Physical Therapy For Sacroiliac Joint Pain
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction (Hypomobility) is a condition that causes discomfort in the lower back and hips. It may be due to injury, muscle imbalances, arthritis or misaligned pelvis bones.
Physical therapy for sacroiliac joint pain can help reduce inflammation and increase mobility in these joints. Your physical therapist will create a personalized treatment program tailored to your symptoms and objectives, including strengthening and stretching exercises that target specific muscle groups.
Your therapist will use manual (hands-on) techniques to stretch tight muscles and tissues surrounding, attaching to, or covering your SI joints. They may also provide you with exercises designed to normalize movement and position of your joints.
The therapist may suggest modalities such as heat, ice or electrical stimulation to reduce your pain before beginning physical therapy or after each treatment session. They will also massage around your back, buttocks, and hip areas to loosen any tight muscles that could be placing undue strain on joints.
Exercises for the SI joint: Your therapist will guide you through stretches and strengthening exercises that target muscle imbalances in your legs, torso, and core. Their purpose is to strengthen these areas so as to stabilize the SI joints and prevent pain or weakness from returning.
Muscle stretches are essential for relieving chronic SI joint pain, as they loosen tight muscles that may be restricting motion in the joint and strengthen weak ones that could be contributing to dysfunction. A physical therapist (PT) will target stretching specific muscle groups such as those of the groin, low back, hips, thighs and core in order to promote flexibility and improve lower body functionality.
Stronger core muscles are essential for stabilizing the sacroiliac joints, so your therapist may suggest exercises that target this area. These often involve lifting, carrying or pushing objects to improve body mechanics and increase your capacity to do activities without experiencing pain.
Your therapist will also teach you how to maintain a balanced posture and exercise correctly in order to prevent further injuries or pain. This includes teaching you proper body mechanics when sitting, squatting, lifting or carrying objects.
A comprehensive physical therapy treatment program for SI joint pain will include education on body mechanics, targeted strengthening and stretching exercises for the pelvis and lumbar spine, as well as aerobic exercise that elevates your heart rate to improve circulation and promote healing in soft tissue in your low back and pelvis.
If your pain persists despite treatment, a physical therapist can suggest other approaches to reduce inflammation, restore mobility and stabilize the joint. This could include using a special sacroiliac brace during rest time to support your SI joints, as well as combining other methods.
Medications for Sacroiliac Joint Pain: Your therapist will prescribe a medication to control your discomfort and reduce inflammation in the joint. This could include over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs, oral anti-inflammatory medicines or even an injectable steroid to reduce joint swelling.