Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction Treatment with a Chiropractor in Georgetown, Ontario

If you have nagging buttock or lower back pain, especially when standing, walking, or getting out of the car, it may be more than “just a strain.” Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction affects one or both joints where your spine meets your pelvis and is a common, underdiagnosed source of low back pain. Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction can often be managed effectively with conservative care; working with a chiropractor in Georgetown, Ontario helps many patients avoid long-term pain and heavy reliance on medication (Cohen et al., 2013).

What Is Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction?

The sacroiliac (SI) joints connect the sacrum (base of your spine) to the iliac bones (pelvis), transferring load between your upper body and legs. Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction typically occurs when these joints become either too stiff (hypomobile) or too loose/unstable (hypermobile), leading to inflammation and pain around the dimples at the back of your pelvis. Research suggests that SI joint problems may account for 15–30% of chronic low back pain cases (Cohen et al., 2013).

Common root causes include:

• Trauma such as slips, falls, or motor vehicle accidents

• Pregnancy and postpartum changes that loosen pelvic ligaments

• Repetitive asymmetrical activities (e.g., running on a cambered road, carrying children on one hip)

• Leg length discrepancies, prior lumbar surgery, or chronic postural stress (Simopoulos et al., 2012).

Triggers and Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

• Aching pain on one side of the low back, buttock, or hip

• Pain that may refer into the groin, outer hip, or down the thigh (but rarely below the knee)

• Discomfort when standing from sitting, climbing stairs, rolling in bed, or standing on one leg

Symptoms frequently worsen with prolonged standing, walking, or going up hills, and may ease slightly when lying down or sitting symmetrically. Many patients find it hard to pinpoint the exact spot, but tenderness over the back “dimples” and one-sided pain are classic clues (Cohen et al., 2013; Simopoulos et al., 2012).

Treatment Options and When Chiropractic Care Helps Most

Initial management for Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction often includes activity modification, ice/heat, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatories. Physical therapy and targeted exercise that strengthen the core and gluteal muscles are also standard recommendations. In some cases, image-guided SI joint injections are used to reduce severe inflammation.

However, when joint restriction, misalignment, or subtle instability are the driving problem, chiropractic care is a vital treatment option. Gentle chiropractic adjustments to the SI joint and lumbar spine help:

• Restore normal joint motion

• Reduce local inflammation and muscle guarding

• Improve load transfer through the pelvis and spine

Clinical evidence supports spinal and pelvic manipulation as an effective component of care for mechanical low back and SI-related pain, improving pain and function when combined with exercise and education (Goertz et al., 2018). Soft tissue therapies aimed at surrounding muscles (such as the piriformis, glutes, and hip flexors) further relieve tension and improve movement patterns.

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction Treatment at Thomas Back and Body

At Thomas Back and Body in Georgetown, Ontario, Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction care begins with a thorough assessment: detailed medical history, movement analysis, and evaluation of leg length, gait, and pelvic alignment.

Our protocol typically includes:

• Specific chiropractic adjustments to the SI joints and lumbar spine to restore alignment and mobility

• Soft tissue therapy and, where appropriate, cupping to decrease muscle tension and improve circulation around the pelvis

• A customized exercise and rehabilitation program to strengthen core and hip stabilizers, improve posture, and reduce recurrence

• Practical ergonomic and lifestyle advice (how to sit, stand, lift, and sleep in ways that protect your SI joints)

The goal is not just short-term pain relief, but to improve the function of the Sacroiliac Joint by mobilizing and realigning the spine and pelvis so they can share loads evenly during daily activities.

If your low back or buttock pain has become persistent or is limiting your daily life, it may be time for a professional opinion. Book an initial chiropractic assessment at Thomas Back and Body in Georgetown today to find out whether your SI joints are part of the problem, and how targeted chiropractic care can help you move comfortably again.

References

Cohen, S. P., Chen, Y., & Neufeld, N. J. (2013). Sacroiliac joint pain: A comprehensive review of epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment. Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, 13(1), 99–116.

Goertz, C. M., Long, C. R., Vining, R. D., Pohlman, K. A., & Walter, J. (2018). Effect of usual medical care plus chiropractic care vs usual medical care alone on pain and disability among U.S. service members with low back pain: A comparative effectiveness clinical trial. JAMA Network Open, 1(1), e180105.

Simopoulos, T. T., Manchikanti, L., Gupta, S., Aydin, S. M., Kim, C. H., & Solanki, D. R. (2012). Systematic review of the diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic effectiveness of sacroiliac joint interventions. Pain Physician, 15(3), E305–E344.