A joint is where two bones meet. The two sacroiliac or SI joints connect the spine, pelvis, and hips. This strong joint balances and transmits stress from the upper body to the pelvis and legs. The joints can suffer a sprain causing pain and discomfort symptoms. There can also be the feeling of tightness wrapping around the waist and dull aching across the low back as the surrounding muscles tighten up as a form of protection, also known as muscle guarding. A correct diagnosis is vital to avoid any potentially serious complications. Chiropractors are experts on neuromusculoskeletal problems and can treat, heal, and strengthen the body through various MET, mobilization, and manipulation techniques.

Sacroiliac Sprain: EP's Chiropractic Injury Specialists Team

Sacroiliac Sprain

The main function is to balance the upper and lower body forces. The sacroiliac joints are surrounded by muscle, connective tissue, nerves designed to withstand large stresses and a complex system of ligaments, further strengthening the joints.

Injury Causes

Sacroiliac sprains can be caused by direct trauma to the pelvis from a fall or automobile collision or jobs and sports that involve a lot of bending and twisting. However, sometimes there is no distinct cause. Common causes include:

  • Repetitive microtrauma is excessive/repetitive movements like prolonged twisting, bending, or lifting at work, home, physical activities, and sports.
  • The joint can be pushed out of alignment.
  • Muscular imbalance or weakness in the muscles surrounding the sacroiliac joints can cause problems to develop over time, presenting little or no symptoms.
  • The tissues around a sacroiliac joint also can be stretched or torn.
  • Trauma such as a fall or road traffic accidents
  • Problems with the hips, knees, and feet can generate increased pressure on the joint, which can become painful over time due to repetitive strain.
  • Pregnancy hormones released to promote pelvis relaxation can increase the risk of SI sprain injury.

Excessive stress on the joint can cause microscopic damage to the ligaments surrounding the joint. The joint then becomes inflamed and presents with pain and sensations of discomfort. The body responds by contracting the muscles to prevent further damage. However, the muscle spasms may not stop, resulting in more pain. Referred pain is common from the muscles that go into spasm, with the most affected being the piriformis, gluteal/buttock, and psoas muscles.

Signs and Symptoms

  • Tenderness over the affected joint and area.
  • Pain symptoms on one or both sides above the joints and into the buttocks.
  • Standing or working with increased weight on one leg increases pain symptoms.
  • Pain after lifting or twisting that develops a little while later.
  • Pain travels to the back of the leg, front of the thigh, and the groin.
  • Pain gets worse when sitting and bending forward.
  • Lying down eases the symptoms.
  • Most cases report no loss of strength, tingling, or numbing sensations.

Chiropractic Treatment

Chiropractic treatment will relieve the pain symptoms, but there are stages of treatment, each with specific goals before moving to the next.

  • The objective of the initial stage is to decrease pain and inflammation.
  • The second stage is stabilizing and restoring proper musculoskeletal function.
  • Rehabilitation and targeted stretches and exercises will be introduced as the treatment continues.
  • In the maintenance stage, there should be no pain, and the individual should be able to perform normal daily activities and return to normal life.
  • Recovery time for a sacroiliac sprain can be 4-6 weeks but can take months to heal completely.

Chiropractic Approach for Pain Relief


References

BIDWELL, A M. “Treatment of sacroiliac sprain by manipulation.” The Medical World vol. 65,1 (1947): 14-6.

Evans, P. “Sacroiliac sprain.” American family physician vol. 48,8 (1993): 1388; author replies 1390.

LeBlanc, K E. “Sacroiliac sprain: an overlooked cause of back pain.” American family physician vol. 46,5 (1992): 1459-63.

Sun, Chao, et al. “Cost and outcome analyses on the timing of first independent medical evaluation in patients with a work-related lumbosacral sprain.” Journal of Occupational and environmental medicine vol. 49,11 (2007): 1264-8. doi:10.1097/JOM.0b013e318156ecdb

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The information herein on "Sacroiliac Sprain: EP Sciatica Clinic" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

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Dr. Alex Jimenez
Specialties: Stopping the PAIN! We Specialize in Treating Severe Sciatica, Neck-Back Pain, Whiplash, Headaches, Knee Injuries, Sports Injuries, Dizziness, Poor Sleep, Arthritis. We use advanced proven therapies focused on optimal Mobility, Posture Control, Deep Health Instruction, Integrative & Functional Medicine, Functional Fitness, Chronic Degenerative Disorder Treatment Protocols, and Structural Conditioning. We also integrate Wellness Nutrition, Wellness Detoxification Protocols and Functional Medicine for chronic musculoskeletal disorders. We use effective "Patient Focused Diet Plans", Specialized Chiropractic Techniques, Mobility-Agility Training, Cross-Fit Protocols, and the Premier "PUSH Functional Fitness System" to treat patients suffering from various injuries and health problems. Ultimately, I am here to serve my patients and community as a Chiropractor passionately restoring functional life and facilitating living through increased mobility. Purpose & Passions: I am a Doctor of Chiropractic specializing in progressive cutting-edge therapies and functional rehabilitation procedures focused on clinical physiology, total health, functional strength training, functional medicine, and complete conditioning. We focus on restoring normal body functions after neck, back, spinal and soft tissue injuries. We use Specialized Chiropractic Protocols, Wellness Programs, Functional & Integrative Nutrition, Agility & Mobility Fitness Training and Cross-Fit Rehabilitation Systems for all ages. As an extension to dynamic rehabilitation, we too offer our patients, disabled veterans, athletes, young and elder a diverse portfolio of strength equipment, high-performance exercises and advanced agility treatment options. We have teamed up with the cities' premier doctors, therapist and trainers in order to provide high-level competitive athletes the options to push themselves to their highest abilities within our facilities. We've been blessed to use our methods with thousands of El Pasoans over the last 3 decades allowing us to restore our patients' health and fitness while implementing researched non-surgical methods and functional wellness programs. Our programs are natural and use the body's ability to achieve specific measured goals, rather than introducing harmful chemicals, controversial hormone replacement, un-wanted surgeries, or addictive drugs. We want you to live a functional life that is fulfilled with more energy, a positive attitude, better sleep, and less pain. Our goal is to ultimately empower our patients to maintain the healthiest way of living. With a bit of work, we can achieve optimal health together, no matter the age, ability or disability.