SI Joint Dysfunction

joelhoward1092,
I usually feel a pinch at the top or the bottom of the SI joint. When I'm smart I see a chiropractor for resolution. If I wait, the pain spreads to the groin and if I wait longer unpleasant tingling down my leg motivates me. I couldn't find a chiropractor in Chile, so I know the pain can eventually encompass the entire lower back.

So chiropractic has helped you?

Yes, I've had very good luck. I see a lot of them and fairly often. They help with most with C6- T1. The SI rotation starts out slight, but advances over a week or so. In the first appointment you can get a ton of information about the mechanics of your spine. That alone is worth the time. It's the fastest appointment you can get and the least expensive. Some PTs are certified to perform the class 5 thrust adjustment. But they don't get enough practice and aren't real good at detecting SI disfunction. The relief is immediate, but without strengthening won't last. Few accept the hint about seeing a chiropractor. Those that do are endlessly thankful.
I don't know your back, so I can't recommend anything other than the consultation. I only suggest from my own experience that you might find relief.

Thanks for the information. I have actually started seeing a chiropractor, who happens to be a friend. He is a very “gentle” chiropractor. We have just started treatment so I haven’t seen much progress yet. I have had a few injections without much success, but I am hopeful chiropractic can help me. I have had some pretty nasty pain for going on 8 months. Hoping for some relief.

Oh, good. You might ask your gentle guy about a thrust adjustment at the SI. I've seen chiropractors who mainly use an activator pen to move the joints. I like to be man handled because the relief is so quick. It always amazes me how one little joint can pinch a nerve and cause so much trouble. Many chiropractors, probablly your friend too, use both methods.
I have a bit of scoliosis, it's the torque that throws my hip joint.
I'm praying you find relief.

Thanks for the info. Part of my reason for asking about symptoms was just to see what others experienced and what had helped them.

On of the struggles with back pain in general, but specifically SI joint pain is that the pain can be referred to an area where there just isn't any dysfunction. It has taken me years to figure out what pain is from the SI and what is from the lumbar spine. Now though I alert to the initial pinch and can avoid referred pain. Best wishes

Did you ever consider SI Joint fusion?

yes, but I decided against it because "[t]he SI joint motion was reduced by 56.6% in flexion, 59.5% in extension, 27.8% in lateral bending, and 53.3% in axial rotation." with SI fusion. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4710165/#:~:text=The%20SI%20joint%20motion%20was,and%2053.3%25%20in%20axial%20rotation.

There would also the problem of torque from scoliosis shifting to the next joint--my knee. I have tried those SI joint belts, which were not helpful or not helpful enough.

I found a sports medicine doc who is an expert on SI disfunction. It took me years to locate him. He diagnosed my problem as "Right on Right Sacral Torsion", He performed a manual manipulation of my sacral joint and hips. He prescribed Physical Therapy to be done by someone knowledgeable about this diagnosis. It has taken many many months of physical therapy that required 100 percent follow through on my part! It was all worth it! Eventually I gained enough muscle by doing specific exercises to hold the correction of this joint. So it is very possible for others to find relief of pain if you find knowledgeable doctors and physical therapists! However, you must be able to commit yourself to a demanding exercise program for life.