The sacroiliac (SI) joints are where your sacrum attaches to your pelvis. The slight motions at occur at the SI joints play a crucial role in efficient walking patterns and movement at the hips during functional activities.
Though motion at the SI joints is important, the stability of the joint is equally important. Research has shown that these joints undergo excessive motion to make up for degenerative lumbar spine disorders, such as degenerative disc disease. This is why lower back pain and SI joint dysfunction are often experienced together.
The more movement at the SI joint, the slower the gluteal muscles begin firing. The gluteal muscles are necessary for hip stability and movement. Because of this delay in gluteal firing, the hamstring muscles compensate by working extra hard to pick up the slack, leading to weak gluteal muscles and tight, short hamstrings. This can then further contribute to pain and dysfunction at the lumbar spine and SI joints.
How can physical therapy help?
At BodyGears, retraining the gluteal muscles to turn on and take the stress off the hamstring muscles is a priority of physical therapy treatment. Two exercises we use are the “prone ballerina” and “glute at the wall”. Using these exercises along with other techniques such as joint mobilizations, soft tissue manual therapy, Functional Dry Needling, muscle activation and strengthening exercises, and functional movement re-training will help return balance to the SI joint, reducing pain and restoring function.
Request Free Consult or Contact Us Today at Chicago Lincoln Park, Oak Brook, Oak Park, & Winnetka, IL Centers to learn more about these exercises and how you can get back to enjoying life without SI joint pain.