An overlooked (but very relevant) cause of lower back pain, hip or groin pain is dysfunction in the sacroiliac joints.
The sacroiliac (SI) joints connect the pelvis and lower spine. It includes the sacrum, the bony structure above your tailbone at the base of your vertebrae (on the left and right sides) and the top part of the pelvis (ilium).
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction describes an improper movement in this region, where the joint either moves too much or too little. This causes pain and limited mobility in the lower back and buttocks.
This article will discuss the common causes of sacroiliac dysfunction, symptoms and how physiotherapy treatment can relieve pain and improve movement without the need for invasive surgeries or medication.
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is a fundamental part of lower limb movement, as it links the spine to the pelvis. It transmits force from the legs to the back and the back to the legs.
Sacroiliac problems can happen at any age as a result of overtraining, trauma or surgery.
Over time, these joints can become susceptible to arthritis. Inflammation at the site can cause a joint to break down, making it painful and difficult to move. However, there are other causes for sacroiliac dysfunction.
Sacroiliac dysfunction is often misdiagnosed as a herniated disk as, as both conditions represent pain in the same areas. It feels like pain and numbness in the lower back, hip, or buttock and often radiates to the back of the thighs.
Part of our jobs as physiotherapists is to look at the root cause of your pain, whether it’s in the spine, muscles and ligaments of your lower back or the SI joint itself. This will allow us to begin a specialized and targeted treatment plan.
Luckily, many people who suffer from SI dysfunction respond well to non-operative treatments.
When you come into our physiotherapy clinic, you’ll undergo a thorough examination to help us understand your health history and lifestyle. This will allow us to pinpoint where the pain is coming from. The examination includes a physical assessment or observation of your posture and gait.
We strongly believe in empowering our patients to take their recovery into their own hands outside the clinic. This involves patient education, where we’ll discuss lifestyle factors that may have lead to this injury, as well as how you can prevent future injuries from occurring.
In the clinic, we may use a combination of manual therapies, electrical stimulation and functional training to manage pain and improve the strength and flexibility of the affected area(s).
These movement exercises are focused on improving core stability to strengthen the movements of the lower lumbar region.
All treatment plans are customized to suit your lifestyle and movement goals, meaning that no two physiotherapy experiences are the same.
No one should live with back pain. Let us help you get back to the activities you love with natural, non-invasive treatment plans that will alleviate sacroiliac dysfunction.
SI joint pain can be difficult to diagnose, which means it’s best managed with the help of your physiotherapist and primary care provider. At Impact Physio & Sport Clinic, our physiotherapists are experienced with treating SI dysfunction and can guide you safely and comfortably through recovery. Call us at (587) 410-4809 or book an appointment online using our contact form.
Acupuncture and dry needling both offer relief from muscle aches, pain, and tightness. Our experienced Physiotherapists are highly trained in both these treatments. They can evaluate your symptoms and help educate you about your condition so you can return to pain-free living.
Book an appointment by calling our clinic in Beaumont at (780) 929-7272 or filling out the contact form.
At our Beaumont physiotherapy & sports injury clinic, our team can help address a variety of injury or musculoskeletal concerns.
© 2025 Impact Physio & Sport Clinic. Developed by Linkbuffer Studios & Research Labs. All rights reserved