Is Your Sacroiliac Joint Causing Your Lower Back Pain?
One of the reasons back pain is such a common medical complaint (most people will experience it at least once in their lives) is because it has so many different potential causes. Most people are familiar with the common ones, like a strained back muscle or a herniated disc.
But sometimes, back pain isn’t really back pain–at least not how we generally conceive it. While you might experience pain or discomfort in your lower back, the actual source of the pain might be a little lower, in your sacroiliac joint.
At Foundation Therapy, our team of physical therapists understands that the best way to resolve back pain is to determine where that pain is coming from. Thanks to our comprehensive assessments, we can help you determine if your lower back pain is actually a symptom of problems with your sacroiliac joint –and then provide you with a targeted treatment to help resolve it.
The Sacroiliac Joint: What It Is and What Can Go Wrong
The sacroiliac (SI) joint connects your spine to your pelvis. You have two of them, one on each side. They’re connected to the sacrum, a small triangular bone at the base of your spine.
The SI joints allow you to transfer weight between your upper and lower body. However, the joints themselves don’t move all that much, and they’re located fairly deep in your pelvic structure, surrounded by strong ligaments and muscles.
There are two reasons why your sacroiliac joint might cause you pain:
- Sacroiliac joint dysfunction occurs due to biomechanical issues in your SI joint. It’s particularly common during pregnancy, as the sacroiliac joint is “loosened up” in preparation for childbirth (hypermobility). However, an overly restricted sacroiliac joint can also cause issues (hypomobility).
- Sacroiliitis refers to an SI joint inflammation due to osteoarthritis, hormonal changes during pregnancy, or injury.
Both conditions can cause similar symptoms. The biggest difference between the two is the presence of inflammation, as there are no inflammatory processes with SI joint dysfunction.
Issues with Your SI Joint? How to Tell
It can be difficult to determine if you’re struggling with SI joint issues or lower back pain, as they can cause similar symptoms. If you’re struggling with any pain or discomfort in your back or buttocks, your best bet is to schedule an appointment with our physical therapists. We can help you get to the bottom of things.
That said, here are some of the common signs of SI joint issues:
- You experience pain directly over your buttocks.
- The pain seems to stem from deep inside your body.
- You’ll notice pain when sitting, lying down, or climbing stairs. In fact, you may have trouble sitting for long periods due to the pain.
Treating SI Joint Pain: What To Expect
We’ll begin with a comprehensive physical exam to help us determine the exact source of your pain, including confirming if the SI joint is involved at all. Once we understand your unique situation, our experts will develop your customized treatment program. Here’s what you might expect:
- Pain Management: We’ll find a solution that suits your needs. Spinal mobilizations and other manual therapy techniques can help if your pain stems from immobility. Hot and cold therapy can help manage pain and inflammation.
- Mobility Exercises: If applicable, we can guide you through targeted exercises to improve the flexibility and mobility in your SI joint.
- Strengthening Exercises: One of the best ways to address SI pain is to strengthen your core and gluteus muscles, both of which support and stabilize the SI joint. Our therapists will develop an exercise program appropriate to your needs and ensure you perform all exercises correctly.
- Prevention Tips: Finally, we’ll work with you to help you adopt a physically active lifestyle, which can help reduce and prevent SI dysfunction.
What’s Causing Your Back Pain?
You don’t have to put up with persistent pain, whether it’s in your back, buttocks, or radiating down your leg! The physical therapists at Foundation Therapy will dig down deep to determine the underlying source of your pain, no matter what it is.
Ready to get started? Call us to schedule an appointment today!
Return to PT at Foundation Therapy!
Miss feeling your best? Come back to Foundation Therapy and let us help you get there—schedule your appointment today!
Kids Heading Back to School? Here’s How to Help Them Avoid Back Pain
Between laptops, tablets, and old-fashioned textbooks, heavy backpacks are a reality for anyone starting school this fall (including the teachers!). Improper backpack usage can contribute to back pain, particularly in the upper back–but a few simple tips will help keep your kids pain-free this school year.
- Find a backpack that fits. Most kids choose backpacks for their coolness factor, not their size, but it’s important your child’s backpack is the right fit for them. A properly fitting (and properly filled) backpack should rest on the hips, not the shoulders.
- Don’t go too heavy. A backpack shouldn’t exceed 10% of your child’s body weight. Bust out the bathroom scale to ensure your child isn’t overloading their pack!
- Encourage good posture. Help your child find their ideal posture by asking them to lift their chest/sternum up toward the sky, which helps their spine settle into proper alignment.
Want more back-to-school backpack tips? Call Foundation Therapy to schedule a personalized assessment to help identify any areas of weakness or impairment that might be contributing to backpack-related discomfort–and strategies for resolving them!
September Word Scramble
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Answer Key
autumn
apple
equinox
football
harvest
acorn
Patient Spotlight:
“The staff here are awesome! The facility is very clean and is cleaned throughout the day. If you need physical therapy for any reason I highly recommend going here. Kelli Smith will help get you back up and going, as will the rest of the staff, including the office ladies. Well, here I am 4 weeks later. I had a total hip replacement on the 10th of October. I was having a very hard time getting in and out of the car, trying to put shoes on and just bending over. After working with Kelli and Chris, I can do all the things I could do before surgery with almost NO pain! If you need physical therapy, this is the place to go!! I can’t forget to mention the office ladies too. Ali is just about the friendliest office person I have ever met .”
— Gary S.
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Seasonal Recipe:
Salmon Burgers
Sink your teeth into these flavorful salmon burgers, packed with fresh, zesty taste and perfectly seasoned goodness. Light yet satisfying, they’re a delicious twist on a classic favorite that’s sure to impress.
- 1 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pound salmon fillet
- 1 tbsp hot pepper sauce
- 1 large egg white
- Cooking spray
- 8 slices focaccia, toasted
Combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl. Combine hot pepper sauce and egg white in a small bowl; add egg white mixture to salmon mixture, stirring well to combine. Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions, shaping each into a 1/2-inch-thick patty. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add salmon patties, and cook 3 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Serve patties on toasted focaccia.
Who Loved Wild Onion Popcorn the Most?
Click the button below to check out this fun video from Foundation Therapy!
We’ve Got Room For you!
We’ve Got Room for You—FAST! Thanks to our growing team, Foundation Therapy can now schedule most appointments within 24–48 hours. Don’t wait weeks to start feeling better—get the care you need when you need it!
Staff Spotlight: Tina Silva, PTA
From Small Town Dreams to Big-Hearted Care: Meet Tina Silva, PTA!
Tina has always been rooted in community. Originally from the small town of Benjamin, TX, she married her husband, Adan, in 2009—just before his deployment to Iraq. Together, they’re proud parents of two amazing girls.
In 2019, Tina and her family made the move to Bridgeport—a big city for them—where she decided to go back to college and chase her dream of becoming a Physical Therapist Assistant. This past May, she graduated and is beyond blessed to now be part of the Foundation Therapy team, where she gets to give back and support the local community every day.
When she’s not working, weekends are all about family! You’ll often find her back in Knox County cheering on her nieces and nephew at their games or cruising around the 111 Cattle Ranch in a side-by-side, soaking in life’s simple joys.
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Our purpose at Foundation Therapy is to leave a greater impact on the community around us. In order to achieve our goal we want to change as many lives as possible as we become a beacon of positivity in our community.
Meet Our Team
Chris Hicks
Owner / PT
Kelli Smith
Supervising Clinician/PT
Ali Martinez
Office Manager
Sandra McDonald
Insurance Verification and Authorization Specialist
