Back pain is common and often incredibly disabling. Some 4 out of 5 Americans will suffer from back pain at some point in their life, with 10% of the population having a chronic lower back pain. This chronic pain can be caused by a whole host of different things, and for some sacroiliac, joint dysfunction is the cause. Delineating that you have an SI joint issue and then treating that is key to getting back to your normal self.

Why do people suffer from sacroiliac joint pain?

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction causes pain in the sacroiliac joint region. The SI joints are found on both side of your back and are the point in which the pelvis (the ilium bone of the pelvis) joints with the end of your spinal column known as the sacrum. This joint, if moving too much or too little, can become inflamed. This inflammation results in nerves becoming too excitable. Excitable nerves are more likely to send pain signals up to the brain and so individuals with SI joint dysfunction experience significant pain in this region.

Can sacroiliac joint pain be cured?

Many individuals overcome SI joint dysfunction, but it is a troubling and long-term condition that is often misdiagnosed. Many doctors mistake it for a degenerating spinal disc or inflammation of the facet joints of the spine. Incorrect treatment for these ailments can leave you with long-term back pain that just won’t budge. That’s why it’s key to get in contact with a specialist clinic that can properly assess and diagnose your pain. There are a whole host of treatments available for SI joint dysfunction including:

• REST! Often mother nature knows best. If it hurts then don’t do it! Give it a rest for a few days to allow the area to heal. However, any more than a few days of rest is seen as bad. Most doctors think that after a few ways there is no benefit from resting and it may actually hinder your recovery and cause you more pain
• Pain medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or opioids may be prescribed. These help to reduce pain signals heading up the brain meaning you feel less pain.
• Physiotherapy with a qualified physiotherapist is often advised. Top physios know the best exercises to get on top of the issue and build muscle in the areas that are deficient.
• Sacroiliac joint injections can be a real lifesaver and last for weeks to months. Often a specialist doctor will inject a local anesthetic (which numbs the joint) and steroids into the area. This should reduce the inflammation and pain signals reaching your brain.

If you or somebody you know is suffering from back pain it is key you get in contact with a specialist clinic today to identify the root cause of the problem and seek the relevant treatment. If the sacroiliac joint pain is your problem, injections could just be the treatment that gets you back on your feet.