Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Dysfunction

Pain near your belt line or buttock can make getting out of bed, standing from a chair, and walking uncomfortable. At Cavanaugh Chiropractic, we evaluate what is causing your symptoms and develop a treatment plan based on your needs and comfort.

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Illustration of the pelvis with both sacroiliac joints highlighted in red.

Treated by our doctors

Two generations of chiropractic care, Dr. Mike & Dr. Matt Cavanaugh

01Understanding the condition

What Is SI Joint Dysfunction?

Your sacroiliac joints connect the lower part of your spine to your pelvis. You have one on each side, just below your belt line. Although these joints allow relatively little movement, they help transfer weight between your upper body and legs when you walk, stand, bend, and lift.

When an SI joint becomes irritated or does not function properly, you may experience pain in your lower back, buttock, or sometimes your leg. Symptoms often affect one side, although both sides can be involved.

SI joint pain can resemble pain from a lumbar disc or an irritated nerve. Because these symptoms overlap, an examination is important to help identify what is contributing to your discomfort.

02Signs & symptoms

Signs You Might Have SI Joint Dysfunction

SI joint discomfort may feel like a constant soreness or ache near the back of your belt line, usually on one side. You may feel fine after an activity and notice pain or stiffness the following morning.

Pain near the lower back or buttock that may extend into the hip, thigh, or leg.

Difficulty getting out of bed in the morning.

Pain when standing up after sitting.

Discomfort when you begin walking, which may ease as you move.

Pain with bending, twisting, or changing positions.

Don't wait

The sooner we get to the root of it, the better your outcome, early care makes a real difference.

03Our approach

How Cavanaugh Chiropractic Can Help.

We begin by evaluating your symptoms, how your lower back and pelvis move, and which movements reproduce your discomfort. Orthopedic and neurological testing can help us assess other possible causes, including problems involving the lumbar discs, nerves, or hips. More than one condition may contribute to your symptoms. Your treatment plan depends on the examination findings, your pain level, and your comfort. If you are in significant pain, we may begin with gentler care and adjust the approach as your symptoms improve. Our goal is to help you move more comfortably and return to your normal activities.

A Patient Experience: When a Long Road Trip Leads to SI Joint Pain

Recently, a longtime patient came to our office with lower back and buttock pain after an extended road trip. The trip included long hours of driving and several days of walking, sightseeing, and being more active than usual. He felt fine during the trip. After returning home, he woke with severe pain near his right SI joint. Getting out of bed and standing from a chair were difficult. Following an examination, his treatment included chiropractic adjusting, trigger point work, and stretching. He reported that his pain decreased from 8 out of 10 to 5 out of 10 after the first visit, and he was able to move more easily. Approximately one week later, he had returned to his normal activities with minimal discomfort. Every patient responds differently. This experience illustrates how symptoms can develop without an obvious injury and how conservative care may help an individual patient.

Get Relief From SI Joint Pain

If lower back or buttock pain makes it difficult to get out of bed, stand from a chair, or walk comfortably, your SI joint may be contributing. At Cavanaugh Chiropractic in Lafayette, Louisiana, we can evaluate your symptoms and discuss appropriate treatment. Whether your discomfort started after a busy weekend, a long road trip, or for no clear reason, we can help you understand the next steps. Contact Cavanaugh Chiropractic today to schedule an appointment.

Chiropractic Adjustments

Depending on your condition and comfort, we may use traditional diversified adjustments, a drop table, or a low-force adjusting instrument. We select the approach based on your examination and how well you tolerate treatment.

Muscle and Soft Tissue Care

Tight or irritated muscles around your lower back and pelvis may contribute to your discomfort. Your plan may include trigger point work, manual muscle work, or percussion therapy to address muscle tension.

Electrical Muscle Stimulation

We may include electrical muscle stimulation as part of your plan to help manage pain and muscle tension, particularly when discomfort makes other treatments difficult to tolerate.

Stretching and Mobility

Gentle stretching and movement may help address stiffness and flexibility around your lower back and pelvis. We select exercises based on your symptoms and tolerance.

Reassessment and Additional Care

If you are not improving as expected, we reassess your symptoms and consider whether another condition may be contributing. X-rays are not routinely needed solely because you have SI joint pain. When indicated, imaging may help investigate suspected bone, joint, disc, or nerve problems. We refer you to another healthcare provider when appropriate.

You don't have to push through the pain.

The sooner we address it, the sooner you're back to feeling your best.

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