Does your back or butt hurt when you stand up or climb stairs? You could be experiencing pain from your sacroiliac joints. Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain is one cause of chronic lower back pain, and walking, standing, and sitting may worsen the pain.

What is Sacroiliac Joint Pain?

Sacroiliac joint pain is a sharp, stabbing pain originating from your hips, lower back, and pelvis. This pain can move down to the legs, mainly along the back of the thigh or into the groin, and usually occurs on one side.

The sacroiliac joint is a highly specialized joint located at the base of your spine. It connects the spine to the pelvis and stabilizes the area.

The sacroiliac joint absorbs the impact when walking and during transitioning from sitting to standing. It also supports the upper body.

 It functions by;

  • Acting as a shock absorber by decreasing stress on the spine and the pelvis
  • Transferring the load from the upper body to the lower body when standing and walking.

Main Causes of Sacroiliac Joint Pain

The sacroiliac joint has multiple nerve endings that can cause pain due to the degeneration and stiffness of these joints.

Causes of sacroiliac joint pain can be;

  • Arthritic causes
  • Non Arthritic causes such as trauma

Arthritic Causes

Arthritis is a degenerative condition that affects joints. It causes joint pain, inflammation, and stiffness. It can affect any joint in the body, including the sacroiliac joint. Different types of arthritis can cause sacroiliac joint pain. They include;

Degenerative arthritis

It is also known as osteoarthritis. It is a degenerative condition that affects the protective cartilage that cushions the bones’ ends. This cartilage wears down, and it causes the wearing down of joints and bones over time. It can affect the sacroiliac joint, spine, or other joints.

Ankylosing spondylitis

It is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation and fusing of bones. It mainly affects the spine by limiting flexibility, and can cause changes to posture. Ankylosing spondylitis often affects the sacroiliac joint, but it can impact other joints as well.

Non-Arthritic Causes

Trauma

Trauma from falling and accidents can lead to sacroiliac joint pain.  Injury to the ligaments surrounding the sacroiliac joint can lead to instability of the joint, causing pain due to increased motion.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, the body releases relaxin, a hormone that loosens ligaments. It pulls your pelvis out of alignment and causes stress to the sacroiliac joint.

Final Thought

Lower back pain can originate from many things, including the sacroiliac joint. It’s best to get a diagnosis to determine the exact cause of your chronic lower back pain and the best ways to manage it.

Visit our website to learn more about sacroiliac joint pain. If you suffer from chronic lower back pain, fill out the form below to contact our team to book an appointment.