Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is a common type of chronic pain, yet it often goes misdiagnosed. About 30% of people who have lower back pain have SI joint dysfunction. This condition is difficult to manage and can cause debilitating pain. Here is some information about how SI joint dysfunction starts and how chiropractic care can help you manage the pain.

What Is the SI Joint?

Your sacroiliac joint is a joint in the back of your pelvis. It is a joint that lies between your sacrum and your iliac bone, and that is where the joint's name comes from. The joint is held together by large, strong ligaments. These ligaments are in front and behind the pelvis, so they're like a loop that holds your pelvis in place.

Causes of SI Joint Dysfunction

SI joint dysfunction is abnormal movement or pain of the SI joint. There are several reasons why you could have developed this problem. An injury is the most common cause. Experiencing an injury to the SI joint causes inflammation, which can lead to lifelong dysfunction of the joint.

Another cause of SI joint dysfunction is childbirth. Women are most commonly diagnosed with SI joint dysfunction because when the pelvis widens during childbirth, this can cause arthritis in the SI joint. This can begin during the end of pregnancy, so even women who have had cesarean sections are at risk.

Chiropractic Care for SI Joints

There are different ways to manage SI joint dysfunction, including injections or even surgery. However, chiropractic care can be the most effective and least invasive treatment for the condition.

Spinal manipulation is usually done by having the chiropractor adjust you while you lie on your side. Your bottom leg will be straight, and your top leg will be bent toward your chest. The bottom shoulder will be forward while the top shoulder is positioned further back. The chiropractor will put one hand on your back and the other on your shoulder. He or she will use their body weight to help push and manipulate your spine to pop the small joints and vertebrae back in their proper places. This can let the pressure off of your SI joint and reduce the pain and inflammation.

The idea of chiropractic adjustments can be frightening at first, but you will get used to it after you experience chiropractic adjustments for yourself. The adjustment isn't a cure for SI joint dysfunction. It will provide temporary pain relief, and consistent trips to the chiropractor can keep the pain at bay. If you have been diagnosed with SI joint dysfunction, visit a chiropractor, such as one at Gerleman Chiropractic Office, to see if the treatment might help you.