Let’s start with what is it. The sacroiliac joints (SI Joints) are located in the pelvis, linking the two iliac bones to the sacrum. These joints along with the pubic symphysis serve to buffer force in both directions. They balance the force of the upper body onto the legs as well as the forces of impact from our legs up to the spine.

Although the SI joints are relatively mobile in young people, they become progressively stiffer with age. They are supported by a number of strong ligaments that help limit movement and provide stability.

It’s important to note that both the sacroiliac joints and pubic symphysis have no specific muscles to control their movements directly.  However they are influenced by the muscles that move the lumbar spine and upper legs.

So when something happens to change the balance in this joint, we often see patients come in with low back pain. It can be a dull or sharp pain. While it might originate in the hips, often it will refer to the low back, buttocks, thighs, or groin. Sometimes standing will trigger the pain, and mostly this pain will be experienced on one side.

Registered Massage Therapists are trained in treating soft tissue.  We can help assess your low back and hips, as well as look for leg length discrepancies and loss of range of motion.  Using this information we can treat the muscles that might be affecting your SI joint or work with other health care professionals to help restore you body back to balance.