The Sacroiliac Struggle

Most pain results from stimulation of nerve endings called nociceptors. These tiny sensory receptors are present in joint structures, spinal ligaments, intervertebral discs, and the muscles that move them as well as well as the blood vessels surrounding the spinal nerves. Twisting, stretching, crushing or tearing may stimulate nociceptors as chemical waste products accumulate due to stress in the tissues. Any number or all of these conditions may be present in the spine, pelvis, or sacroiliac joint at any one time. This may lead to many different, often conflicting, diagnoses and treatments for low back pain.

Under ideal conditions the sacrum is positioned somewhat diagonally between the pelvic bones. With this relationship in place there is maximum stability. With a swayback posture (hyperlordosis) the sacrum tilts downward and forward and becomes more horizontal. The ligaments are stretched and the sacroiliac joints become unstable and the self-locking mechanism is impaired. The ligaments undergo further stretching, firing the pain receptors. Alternatively, the unstable sacroiliac joints may become locked in an abnormal alignment, maintained that way by resultant protective muscle guarding that produces pain.

The individual with pain caused by sacroiliac instability and/or low back instability may complain that he is unable to sustain any one position. Standing, sitting, walking, or often even lying down (morning stiffness is common) for prolonged periods may produce back and/or lower extremity pain. Changing position, after some difficulty initiating the move, often relieves pain.

Instability

With failed ligaments, the job falls to the muscles around the pelvis and spine. They are ill suited to that task as they are designed to move rather than support. Sustained hypercontracted muscles impair circulation allowing waste products and inflammatory pain producing chemicals to excite the pain receptors. Normal movement becomes limited and the cycle of pain begins.

Symptoms & Possible Explanations for SI Joint Pain

Sacroiliac pain tends to be low down, often more to one side, and often extends into the buttock, the back of the thigh and sometimes the calf. It can start suddenly, but tends to persist as a dull ache, on & off, often with a feeling of pins & needles in the buttock. Unless correctly assessed and corrected, symptoms can continue for many years, eventually leading to further problems. Many people have asked why the SI joints are so prone to dysfunction. We find that one or more of four causes may be contributing to the disorder. 1) Trauma to certain muscles from physical exertion is the leading cause, including repetitive strain type injuries. 2) Toxicity produced from high levels of metabolic waste in the muscles. This may even be characteristic of some form of chronic inflammation. 3) Nutritional deficiencies, such as magnesium, hyaluronic acid, or even dehydration may play a role in the disorder. 4) And finally, an energietic imbalance may become manifest in the muscles, such as irritation from the intestines or kidneys.

If the pelvic muscles become strained, they tend to go into a spasm around the SI joints giving a painful “locked” or “fixed” joint. Over a period of time, muscles weaken, ligaments around the joint stretch, and the joint becomes sprained creating local hypermobility, instability and pain. These conditions are capable of correction by non-surgical procedures including manual therapies such as the Myoskeletal Alignment Technique and other Neuromuscular techniques. But which of the four factors is contributing to your lumbar pain? Only a complete assessment will determine what must be done to correct your disorder. Call us today and get started on the road to healing, the natural way – the Balanced way.