Is there any hope is SI joint pain will improve?

Posted by audrey5449 @audrey5449, Dec 3, 2023

I am despondent that the SI joint pain is not going to improve. I have been doing physical therapy and had shots last week. My pain is still severe. Is there options other than shots that will help with the pain? I have not been able to lie in a bed for over two years because to stretch out on my back makes the pain unbearable. Not allowed inside because of kidney disease. I'm not sure if I should limit my activities or if I should push through the pain. Can someone please tell me what to expect and/or what I need to do to help myself.

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Profile picture for therealjb @therealjb

Amazing. What office did she do the PRP?

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@therealjb It's interesting to me, because i was long ago given PRP by an ophthalmologist for my eyes, and it only worsened my MGD sensitivity. (I wound up helping myself by instilling pure-water followed by preservative-free Refresh.)

Furthermore, one of my podiatrists told me he got PRP for his bad hip, with zero results.

IMO PRP, though it may help some people some of the time, is camouflage for the real thing, which is MSC (mesenchymal stem cells). Its MSC's which helps most people most of the time, versus some people some of the time.

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Profile picture for delia74 @delia74

MFR = myofascial release

Excerpt from "mayoclinic.org Myofascial release therapy: Can it relieve back pain?"
GO TO SITE TO GET MORE INFO (not a long article):
"During myofascial release therapy, the therapist applies light pressure by hand to find myofascial areas that feel stiff instead of elastic and movable. These stiff areas, or trigger points, are thought to limit muscle and joint movements, which can play a part in widespread muscle pain."

A more detailed article, easy to read, well organized:
my.clevelandclinic.org "myofascial release therapy"

In this Cleveland Clinic article, I found the following especially interesting:

Myofascial release therapy may be used to treat many different health conditions.
These conditions include:
• Myofascial pain syndrome: Myofascial pain syndrome causes pain in your connective tissues.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome: Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that causes pain, numbness and weakness in your hands and wrists.
• Low back pain: Low back pain is caused by strain to the muscles and tendons in your back. It causes a decrease in the motion and flexibility of your spine.
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder: TMJ occurs when the muscles around the joints of your jaw become inflamed.
• Fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgia is a long-term (chronic) illness that causes muscle and joint pain.
• Chronic migraines: Chronic migraines cause frequent throbbing headaches.

Lucky me, I check off ALL of those boxes!!!
But what has most affected me within the last two years is my sacral area:
•osteoarthritis
•a painful bulging disc impinging on a nerve which then creates intense right flank pain (definitely affects my ability to move, let alone walk when this area is in warrior mode)
•AND several other issues, all which can make me miserable when everything flares up. My neurosurgeon recommended weeks of therapy first before allowing the "s" word to materialize in our conversations. 😳

I had a specific PT in mind, so I called the center and had a conversation with the office manager. I had PT at that center before, for body parts seriously injured in a nasty body slam onto concrete floor in '21 (note that I said "slam" not "fall" because my body SLAMMED full front onto the hard, concrete floor in a food warehouse store --- not due to clumsiness; I saved my face but damaged my entire left side of my body and traumatized my entire physical and emotional being; still have parts suffering from consequences). Anyway, I had gotten to know the office manager rather well from all the PT that I had there. I told her what my neurosurgeon said, and indicated that I wanted sessions for PT but ONLY if ADRIAN could be my therapist. Adrian is amazing, but as owner/director, he is not there on a daily basis, and when he is, he comes in the afternoon. Kathy said she'd forward the message to him. Adrian agreed to come in to do my PT in the morning hours. He would be the ONLY therapist that I would see, not b/c his staff isn't qualified (they all are) but because I knew that he has lots of extended training and experience. Bottom line: He did an extensive, thorough pre-treatment exam and interview. Explained what he proposed, we discussed it, and I became his very grateful patient. My pain level at our first therapy session was an 8 out of 10. The wonderful moist heat came first. Then came the hands-on massage of my lumbar area and hips (especially focusing on the right flank). He was very gentle, and we communicated throughout so he would know if any specific touch/massage caused pain. Then he did something I never had before: It literally felt like he was kneading bread dough. I use that analogy b/c I have years of experience with bread doughs, and Adrian deftly used the heel of his palms as well as the full surface of his hands to gently knead my sacral area. It felt GOOD, not painful. With my okay, he applied just a tad more pressure. Next step: he used a heated instrument (I believe it was an ultrasound handheld device). That felt so soothing. How'd I feel at the end of all that? My level of pain had decreased to a do-able 6, and I could walk with less stabbing nerve pain from sacral area to the hip flank. Adrian warned me not to overdo and to call him if I had concerns. But I had no concerns, only words of gratitude because after another session like the first, my pain was down significantly. The sacral area is never without pain due to the nature of my problems with the spine, the nerves, the osteoarthritis. BUT walking was not something to be dreaded, I could involve my right leg without flinching, etc. In subsequent sessions, he had other great devices that he has invested into his PT facility, and they were integrated alternately, including a device resembling a large weight scale. I'd stand on it with sock covered feet, relaxed while the sensations of gentle vibrations went from feet and up my body for 10 minutes. There were exercises that I was shown but due to problems with my entire left leg, they presented degrees of pain. Adrian adapted them for me and scrapped two in particular. Did the horrid high level pain ever return? Of course. But that's due to other issues that I'm dealing with. I presently am not in PT with Adrian, had to stop back in December due to CNS disorders making me feel overall exhaustion and body pain (and "unwellness"), so we agreed that I needed to stop for a while.

PT is an investment in yourself, in your wellbeing. It takes investment of time and the "m" word: money. My husband drives me there (a 15 minute one way, half hour round trip), and he prefers to wait. (Yes, I love and appreciate all that he does for me💝.). Then there's the unavoidable co-pay, which on my insurance plan is a hefty $35 per specialist visit (I'm not griping though, my friend pays $50!). The one good thing about all the medical care that I had in 2024: I met my deductible in early July, so ALL my doctors and PT were in essence "free" since NO co-pays from July all the way through to the end of the year.
And yes, I do intend to return to PT, and again with Adrian.😊

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@delia74 Wow, I'm so sorry you slammed into concrete! I can't imagine the pain you endured! BTW, I, too, also have all those conditions you ticked off, due to a heavy-duty life of wear and tear and major stress. The MFR you described reminded me of "rolfing" and also - osteopathic manipulation I once had in my neck that felt wonderful.

Have you ever tried the SleepAgain pillow-system? I didn't yet, but wondering if others tried it.

I also suggest you read Dr. Todd Sinett's article, wherein he speaks of diet vis-a-vis pack pain. Especially beware of spices, pepper in particular. When i eat BBQ chips or peppery foods, my back hurts. I have to beware of sharp foods in general, be it wasabi, citrus, mustard, etc. I need to combine them with either yogurt or mayo, to mellow them. That's why i love honey-mustard dressing versus straight mustard.

As for migraines, rizitriptan helps me. But prior to hitting on a neurologist who knew enough to prescribe that, I found that lightly-salted, lightly-oiled popcorn helps migraines. But i suppose similar foods, be it puffed corn/rice, or buttered-saltines can help headaches too.

I posted elsewhere on this thread, in case you're interested. Since we seem to be in a similar boat, maybe i can offer you other handy tips i picked up thru the years.

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Profile picture for joelhoward1092 @joelhoward1092

I also suffer with pain that is believed to be caused by the SI joints. I am also fused at L5-S1, which can lead to SI dysfunction. Next week I am having a diagnostic injection into the joint. Assuming this provides relief, even just temporary, then I will proceed with a minimally invasive procedure called LinQ, by a company called PainTeq. The reviews sound very promising. I will share how my injection turns out and how we will proceed.

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@joelhoward1092 Wow, that's such enlightening info you gave about LinQ! It reminds me of Sonovein, compared to the current primitive procedures for severe varicose which i suffer. Other high-tech examples are CMR vs. old-fashioned stress-tests, or video-capsule vs. endoscopy.

What I want most of all is for MSC (mesenchymal stem cell) therapy to become affordably permitted in the U.S., along with quantum-physics based diagnostics.

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Profile picture for tkdesign @tkdesign

I am in same boat. I suffered an acute tear of some kind around SI joint after i had sacral nerve root surgery months back. Just out of nowhere my SI joint on one side gave out and horrible pain ever since. I can't tolerate pain meds with stomach issues. Heat helps but I can't walk or stand long without the awful nerve pain down my legs.

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@tkdesign Did you also try following up your hot baths, with an ice pak on your pain epicenters, for a few minutes each? That might better inhibit the nerves from shooting pain down your legs. Hope you feel better...

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Profile picture for queenie2030 @queenie2030

My husband fell flat on his back a year ago. Both SI joints were damaged. He has had severe pain ever since. Due to liver disease he cannot have surgery to stabilize the joints so he found a pain management doctor who will do nerve ablation. Has anyone had this for SI and did it reduce or eliminate the pain?

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@queenie2030 Your husband can't even get the minimally invasive procedure offered by PainTEQ, which someone else here mentioned?

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Profile picture for jally @jally

@joelhoward1092 Wow, that's such enlightening info you gave about LinQ! It reminds me of Sonovein, compared to the current primitive procedures for severe varicose which i suffer. Other high-tech examples are CMR vs. old-fashioned stress-tests, or video-capsule vs. endoscopy.

What I want most of all is for MSC (mesenchymal stem cell) therapy to become affordably permitted in the U.S., along with quantum-physics based diagnostics.

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@jally I completely agree! I will say that this procedure has not helped me much. You have undoubtedly faced the difficulties in determining what is really the pain generator. The day I received my diagnostic injection, I was having a low pain day anyway. So, I was only at maybe a 3/10 anyway and the lidocaine brought it down to a 1 or 2. That, coupled with the fact that I really believed my SI Joints were the issue, led me to go forward with the procedure. Unfortunately I have not gotten much relief. In fact, I believe that getting this procedure has caused me to have additional pain in my hips/knees, but I can’t say that for sure. My advice to anyone considering this procedure is to just make sure that the SI Joints are the problem.

I am strongly considering stem cells, but not in the US. The thought of going to Mexico or Panama or wherever is a bit concerning though.

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Profile picture for joelhoward1092 @joelhoward1092

@jally I completely agree! I will say that this procedure has not helped me much. You have undoubtedly faced the difficulties in determining what is really the pain generator. The day I received my diagnostic injection, I was having a low pain day anyway. So, I was only at maybe a 3/10 anyway and the lidocaine brought it down to a 1 or 2. That, coupled with the fact that I really believed my SI Joints were the issue, led me to go forward with the procedure. Unfortunately I have not gotten much relief. In fact, I believe that getting this procedure has caused me to have additional pain in my hips/knees, but I can’t say that for sure. My advice to anyone considering this procedure is to just make sure that the SI Joints are the problem.

I am strongly considering stem cells, but not in the US. The thought of going to Mexico or Panama or wherever is a bit concerning though.

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@joelhoward1092 ...

Joel, regarding your LinQ procedure failing to much help:
Thanks for responding to me re: this important update, and sorry i'm technically unable to edit/amend my above comments about LinQ & PainTech. That must have been such a disappointment! I too, have discovered over the decades that numerous practitioners of our "russian-roulette" system, have failed, or even worsened me (both allopathic and alternative. Namely, podiatrist, endodontist, ophthalmologists, phys.therapy & more.) A majority of my life, ever since my Fibromyalgic Unchildhood, has been spent on research, expenditures, and disillusionments. I also came to learn, sometimes by coincidence, that the common sense to listen to one's body, often works best. It's how i discovered popcorn for migraines, and that black cherries fixes abnormal bleeding NOT ughy "coptis" NOT pau d'arco. Nor conventional static. And that its NOT JUST for gout, but also for veins.

Re: Stem Cells, there used to be medical tourism to Thailand & Panama for MSC's, and i, too, had been nervous about it. Not to mention monetary & other factors. In the past, I travelled hours to various fancy stem-cell clinics. One basically stole a few hundred from me (for a mere interview), the other was creepy. So it needs to be the real/vetted thing (MSC) as I guess you know. The rest are probably distractions cranked out by agendists.

Now though on the surface it appears to be in jest (and mocked in media), one must ask - why would our president TWICE in several years, post videos featuring medbeds?? The 2nd one rendered via AI and obviously faked?? Viewable on rmble. So here's my guess: During our recent plague, a Maine gynecologist appeared on a vid. with Dr.Z. I distinctly remember her stating, that she suspected the deep state co-opted the REAL medbeds. I believe her, because all sorts of weird vids on that topic have bombarded alt.media. Why so many?? And why are caring people like her always discredited? This is a tactic to create distractions in order to camouflage truth. I suspect our president knows this. So he, too, learned to tango.

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Hi there.
Sitting on the floor and reaching as far forward between your legs as you can go towards your toes. I really notice if I don’t do this daily. Then bring your right arm across to the left side of your left foot. Some days I start feeling like I can’t go forward at all but after a little while I can put my head on my knee.
Nerve Blockers are life changing….
O have had neck surgery and a full hip replacement
Bone on bone the only real pain relief is slow release palexia twice a day and a panadeine extra has codeine in it at lunch time
Palexia fast relief if I have over done it
I have learned at54 finally that I am not the person I used to be and know my limits. Take care

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Profile picture for jally @jally

@queenie2030 Your husband can't even get the minimally invasive procedure offered by PainTEQ, which someone else here mentioned?

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What is PainTEQ?

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