Sacroiliac (SI) joint pain can often be effectively managed — and in some cases significantly improved — through a combination of chiropractic care and spinal decompression, depending on the underlying cause and severity. Here’s a breakdown of how these treatments work and what results to expect:
Understanding Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Pain
The sacroiliac joints are located where the sacrum (base of the spine) meets the iliac bones of the pelvis. Dysfunction or inflammation here can lead to:
● Lower back pain (often one-sided)
● Hip or buttock pain
● Pain radiating down the leg (mimicking sciatica)
● Pain that worsens with standing, walking, or climbing stairs
Chiropractic Treatment for SI Joint Pain
Chiropractors typically approach SI joint dysfunction using:
1. Manual Adjustments
● Realign the SI joint to restore normal motion and relieve pressure.
● Common techniques: Diversified Technique, drop-table adjustments, or Activator method (gentler).
2. Soft Tissue Therapy
● Addresses muscular imbalances, spasms, and inflammation around the joint.
3. Postural and Gait Correction
● Identifies contributing factors like leg-length discrepancies, foot arch issues, or pelvic tilt.
Results:
● Many patients feel relief within 10- 20 visits, though long-standing issues may require ongoing care.
● SI joint dysfunction is notoriously slow to improve but with appropriate treatment can be alleviated.
● Maintenance adjustments may be advised to prevent recurrence
● Spinal Decompression for SI Joint Pain
Spinal decompression is more commonly used for disc-related back pain, but in some cases, it may help SI joint pain if:
● There’s concurrent lumbar disc compression or nerve root irritation.
● The patient has poor spinal alignment contributing to pelvic instability.
How It Works:
● Decompression tables gently stretch the spine, reducing pressure on the discs and nerves.
● This may indirectly relieve stress on the SI joint if the lumbar dysfunction is a contributing factor.
Best When Combined With:
● Core stabilization exercises
● Chiropractic realignment
● Anti-inflammatory protocols