Do Si Issues Cause Trouble Climbing Stairs?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Sacroiliac joint dysfunction

What aggravates sacroiliac joint dysfunction?

When something happens that puts uneven pressure on your pelvis, you could be overloading one of your sacroiliac (SI) joints. Even simple activities like

snow shoveling, gardening, and jogging

can aggravate your SI joint because of their rotational or repetitive movements.

What does it feel like when your SI joint is out of place?

Symptoms of Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Common presenting symptoms include

low back pain often found on only one side, that is worsened with prolonged sitting/standing or specific mechanical movements

. Other symptoms include buttock pain or radiating pain, numbness, or tingling in the hips, groin, or legs.

What can you not do with sacroiliac joint dysfunction?

Try not to

bring your knees to your chest, do sit-ups, twist, or bend from the waist with your knees straight

. Running should be off-limits until you’re on the mend. You’ll also want to stay away from activities where you shift your weight from one leg to the other, like golfing, step aerobics, or ice skating.

Is it OK to walk with SI joint pain?


Walking is one of the best and simplest ways to improve your overall health

. Although it is a weight-bearing exercise, it is considered low impact and does not have to be vigorous to see its benefits. Along with helping your SI joint pain, walking can also: Decrease your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Is walking good for the sacroiliac joint?

Exercise

walking is gentler on the sacroiliac joint than running or jogging

, and has the added benefit of being easy to fit in to a regular schedule.

What kind of doctor do I see for SI joint dysfunction?

A clinician such as a

physical therapist, pelvic health specialist, or pain management specialist

can perform these tests to help you diagnose SI joint disease or SI joint dysfunction.

How do you fix SI joint misalignment?

  1. Pain medication. Over-the-counter pain relievers (such as acetaminophen) and anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen) may be recommended for mild to moderate pain relief. …
  2. Manual manipulation. …
  3. Supports or braces. …
  4. Sacroiliac joint injections.

What is the best sleeping position for SI joint pain?

Putting a pillow between your knees and ankles can help put your hips in alignment. Another sleeping posture to take the stress off your SI joint is to

sleep on your back with one or two pillows under your knees to put your hips in a neutral posture

.

Will my SI joint pain ever go away?

In many cases acute SI joint pain occurs suddenly and

usually resolves within several days to weeks

. SI joint pain is considered chronic if it persists for more than three months.

Does stretching help SI joint pain?


Stretches targeted for specific muscles or muscle groups can help alleviate SI joint pain

and restore some range of motion to the legs, pelvis, and lower back.

Can sitting cause sacroiliac joint pain?


Sacroiliac pain can be aggravated with prolonged sitting or standing

, standing on one leg, stair climbing, going from sit to stand, and with running. Potential causes of sacroiliac pain include arthritis, traumatic injury, pregnancy and post-partum, systemic inflammatory conditions, and infection.

Can a chiropractor fix SI joint pain?

If anything is out of alignment,

a chiropractor can use chiropractic adjustments to properly align the bones, ligaments, and tendons in your back and hips

. When this is combined with properly designed treatment plan, you can comprehensively address SI joint pain and the root cause of this condition.

How long does it take for an inflamed SI joint to heal?

SI joint pain varies from mild to debilitating, depending on what has led to it. Intense pain can flare up without warning, but the good news is that often the affected joint heals itself

within a week or so

. It can also last for more than three months, in which case it is considered chronic.

Does cycling help SI joint pain?

Bike riding:

Some people get relief from SI pain by riding a stationary or recumbent (reclined) bike at the gym

. It increases blood flow to your sore lower back and hips without putting stress on the SI joint.

What is the best way to get rid of SI joint pain?


Physical therapy

: For chronic SI joint pain, gradual physical therapy can help strengthen the muscles around the joint, restore stability, and speed healing. Water therapy: Doing physical therapy exercises in the water is a low-impact way to build strength around your SI joint and help stabilize it.

Can sleeping on your side cause SI joint pain?

Side sleeping.


Sleeping on your side can put pressure on your hip, which may increase SI pain

. To reduce this pressure, you can wedge a pillow in the space between your knees and ankles.

Can an MRI detect SI joint dysfunction?

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

can reliably detect inflammation and structural changes in sacroiliac joints (SIJs) in patients with lower back pain (LBP)

.

How do you know if you have SI joint problems?

The surest way for a doctor to know if you have SI joint dysfunction is through an injection of numbing medicine into your joint. An X-ray or ultrasound guides the doctor to where to put the needle in.

If the pain goes away after the shot, you know the joint is the problem

.

How can you tell the difference between sacroiliac pain and sciatica?

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction affects the sciatic nerve and has similar symptoms to sciatica. However,

pain along the sciatic nerve caused by sacroiliac joint dysfunction is not caused by a compressed nerve root as it exits the spine, as occurs with true sciatica

.

How do you self manipulate the SI joint?

How can I unlock my SI joint myself?

While in the supine position with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor, place a softball or rolled up pair of socks between your knees. Very gently squeeze for a count of 5 and then slowly release. Do about 3-5 of these, but let your pain be your guide. In other words, stop if it hurts.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.