Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Pain

What is sacroiliac (si) joint pain?

Pain near the small dimples above the buttocks can sometimes come from the sacroiliac joints, which connect the pelvis and spine. It may be felt in the lower back, buttock, groin or thigh and can be noticeable when climbing stairs, getting out of a car or rolling over in bed.

What causes sacroiliac (si) joint pain?

Falls, pregnancy-related changes in pelvic loading, repetitive uneven loading, altered hip or spinal movement and previous lumbar fusion can contribute. Similar symptoms can also originate from the lumbar spine, hips or surrounding muscles.

How is sacroiliac (si) joint pain treated?

At Alliance Wellness Clinic in Vancouver, treatment is based on your assessment, symptoms and goals. Options include:

Chiropractic Care: Joint mobilization or adjustments, soft tissue therapy, taping and individualized hip and pelvic exercises.

Physiotherapy: Gluteal, hip and core strengthening, movement retraining and progressive pelvic stabilization.

Osteopathic Manual Therapy: Hands-on treatment focused on surrounding mobility and muscle tension.

Registered Massage Therapy: Addresses associated lower-back, hip and gluteal muscle tension.

Acupuncture: Supports pain management and associated muscle tension.

IMS/Dry Needling: A physiotherapy option for associated muscular pain or trigger points.

Class 4 Laser Therapy: An optional adjunct for selected musculoskeletal pain around the pelvis.

Injection-Based Treatments: Selected persistent cases may warrant assessment for prolotherapy or other injection options offered by appropriately qualified practitioners; evidence varies and injections are not routine first-line care.

When should you seek treatment?

Book an assessment for recurring one-sided buttock or lower-back pain, discomfort with stairs or walking, or pregnancy-related pelvic symptoms. Significant trauma, fever, worsening neurological symptoms or new bladder or bowel changes require medical assessment.