Low Back & Pelvis
Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Dysfunction
Also called: SI joint pain
Pain from the joint connecting the spine's base (sacrum) to the pelvis — a strong, subtle joint that transfers load between trunk and legs. Irritated by falls, pregnancy, leg-length or gait asymmetry, or lifting twists. Classic sign: pain pointed to with one finger right at the dimple of the low back/buttock.
Common signs
- One-sided pain at the SI dimple, sometimes into the buttock or groin
- Worse with standing from sitting, single-leg loading, stairs, or rolling in bed
- Pain with prolonged standing on one side
- No true nerve symptoms below the knee (usually)
Seek help now if
- Inflammatory pattern: significant morning stiffness >30–60 minutes, night pain improving with movement, in a younger person — evaluate for inflammatory arthritis (see Ankylosing Spondylitis)
- Fever or systemic symptoms
- Pain after high-energy trauma
Any of these: call 911 or get to an emergency room first. Everything else can wait.
What to do first
- Exam with provocation testing confirms the SI as the source and screens the lumbar spine and hip (the mimics)
- Early care restores joint mechanics — SI pain often improves quickly with treatment
- Temporarily avoid single-leg dominant loading if provocative
If it's become chronic
- Persistent SI pain is a stability problem as much as a mobility one: glute and deep core strengthening are essential
- During and after pregnancy, a support belt can bridge while strength rebuilds
- Refractory, confirmed cases have injection/ablation options; conservative care remains the base
Natural healing options we use
- Chiropractic adjusting of the SI joint and lumbopelvic region
- Muscle energy techniques and manual therapy
- Glute-medius and deep core strengthening
- Attended e-stim; support belt when appropriate
About imaging
Typically clinical. Imaging enters for inflammatory suspicion (MRI of SI joints) or trauma.
Daily self-care
- Glute bridges and side-lying hip work daily
- Even weight-bearing habits (watch one-hip standing)
- Pillow between knees when side-sleeping
How we can help
More in Low Back & Pelvis
Lumbar Sprain/StrainLumbar Disc HerniationSciatica / Lumbar RadiculopathyLumbar Facet SyndromeLumbar Degenerative Disc DiseaseLumbar Spinal StenosisSpondylolysisSpondylolisthesis
Please read: this page is education, not a diagnosis. A proper examination is how a condition gets confirmed and a plan gets built. See our medical disclaimer.