This is the second in our three-part series on specific spinal ailments. In our last series, you learned about Sciatica. In this installment, let’s talk about Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction.
Sacroiliac (say-kro-ill-ee-ak) sounds like a mouthful! Your sacroiliac joint is also referred to as your ‘SI’ by chiropractors and it’s the joint that connects your hips to the sacrum, or the triangular bone between your tailbone and lumbar spine. Your sacroiliac joint absorbs shock between your hips and your upper body. The SI joint itself doesn’t move very much, although small movements help to absorb shock as well as ease of movement with forward and backward bending. It is surrounded by several ligaments, which supports the joint.
But when too much movement occurs at the SI joint, this results in inflammation which can result in pain. Some patients report a shooting pain down one side of the body starting at the low back. Others experience pain only in one leg.
Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction refers to those patients who experience SI joint pain with some regularity. This can include patients who experience SI joint pain occasionally, and those who have chronic SI problems. It is estimated that the SI joint might be responsible for as much as 30% of lower back pain.
So, what can be done to prevent and treat Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction? First, let’s talk about the issues of movement and inflammation:
The human body is designed to move in certain ways and that includes movement in and around the pelvis. There is some flexibility at the SI joint, but recognizing the types of movement that might trigger an SI event can help prevent them. This includes twisting movements (like golf) and frequent bending/rising, like yard work. Moving the pelvis too much or too little can sometimes trigger an SI-joint event, leading to pain and instability in the pelvis. That pain can extend into the low back or groin area.
But did you know that decreasing inflammation in the body might help to prevent injury to the SI joint? Inflammation is a popular buzz word today, but still a very important and meaningful one.
According to WebMD, “Inflammation is a process by which the body’s white blood cells and substances they produce protect us from infection with foreign organisms, such as bacteria and viruses. However, in some diseases, like arthritis, the body’s defense system — the immune system — triggers an inflammatory response when there are no foreign invaders to fight off. In these diseases, called autoimmune diseases, the body’s normally protective immune system causes damage to its own tissues. The body responds as if normal tissues are infected or somehow abnormal.”
Decreasing inflammation in the body is a great way to minimize the triggers of SI Joint Dysfunction. Did you know that turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory, safe for almost everyone to take? We carry essential oils from the Young Living line and would be happy to special order your turmeric, to supplement your anti-inflammation diet.
