Back Pain Conditions }}

Sacro-Iliac Joint Dysfunction

The Sacro-Iliac joint (SI) is the connection between your sacrum and pelvis. It is an unusual joint in that it moves as soon as you move yet it has no disc for cushioning or protection.

It is a flat bone joint and is a strong, weight bearing joint with irregular elevations and depressions that produce interlocking of the two bones. It can swell and become inflamed easily and is prone to arthritic change if left untreated.

What is Sacro-Iliac Joint Dysfunction?

Dysfunction occurs when the joints fails to move correctly. The pelvis can twist and distort when spinal imbalances occur, this then forces the SI joint in poor motion and hence it tightens.

Once the SI joint stops moving correctly, the pelvis will twist and distort further creating more imbalances within the spine. This is why the pelvis and SI joints are vital areas in back pain relief.

What causes the Sacro-Iliac Joint Dysfunction?

The SI joint slows in motion as the spinal imbalances unsettle the pelvis and the joints motion. These imbalances develop over time from the many small injuries and traumas placed on your muscles and joints.

Direct trauma or injury can also affect the joint, but it is these small traumas from such tasks as heavy lifting, poor postures, bending to lift and others that accumulate with time to irritate the joint.

What are the symptoms of SI Dysfunction?

Pain tends to be local, although at times pain may migrate out tot eh buttock area. Si joint dysfunction can lead to other back pain conditions such as sciatica as once the joint is irritated the Piriformis muscle may become tight and cause radiations of pain.

What are the traditional treatments for Sacro-Iliac Joint Dysfunction?

Treatments vary depending on the practitioner you consult. Medically anti-inflammatories are used to reduce inflammation and pain. In severe, chronic cases cortisone may be used.

Ice/heat, ultrasound, herbal creams may be used. Chiropractors will manipulate the joint; Physiotherapists will try to mobilize the joint also. However unless you remove the underlying cause, these are all temporary measures.

Why do the traditional treatments fail?

The joint is tight due to the twisting and distorting of the pelvis. The spinal imbalances that have developed have allowed this to occur. If all you do is reduce inflammation or mobilize the joint, then you will only deal with symptoms.

What is the best approach for Sacro-Iliac Joint Dysfunction?

To get long lasting results you must both remove the symptoms and the cause. First you must identify which spinal imbalances are present, then attack the symptomatic processes. This can be achieved by using many techniques from ice/heat, Acupressure and anti-inflammatory measures. Then you must perform corrective techniques that target the spinal imbalances.

The principles of Spinal Balancing address the both the pain and the root cause of the condition that is responsible for your Sacro-Iliac joint dysfunction. Through self assessments, your individual spinal imbalancescan be identified, and a targeted corrective program can be developed for your specific needs.

Continue to the ... 3-Step-System for Back Pain Relief!