Sacroiliac Joint Pain Specialist in American Pain and Wellness

At American Pain & Wellness, we treat pain arising from the Sacroiliac joint (SI joint) — the key connection between the base of your spine and your pelvis. When this joint becomes irritated, inflamed, or dysfunctional, it can cause significant discomfort, reduced mobility, and impact daily activities.

 Our goal is to accurately diagnose the root of your pain and provide targeted, effective treatment to restore comfort and function.

What is the Sacroiliac Joint & Why It Matters

The sacroiliac joint connects your sacrum (the lower spine) with the iliac bones of your pelvis — helping transfer weight between your upper body and legs while acting as a natural shock absorber. 

When healthy, the joint allows subtle but important movement that supports posture, walking, standing, and other everyday functions. However, if the joint becomes inflamed, misaligned, overused, or injured, pain and dysfunction may develop. 

Common Causes of SI Joint Pain

SI joint pain can arise from multiple factors, including:

• Degenerative changes, such as wear-and-tear arthritis of the SI joint.
• Inflammatory conditions affecting spine or pelvis (for example, certain autoimmune or arthritic disorders).
• Trauma or injury — such as a fall, accident, or sudden impact affecting the pelvis or lower spine.
• Biomechanical or structural factors — leg-length discrepancy, pelvic misalignment, muscle imbalance, or altered gait/pelvic mechanics.
• Pregnancy and related joint stress due to changes in pelvic alignment, ligament laxity, and altered load patterns.
• Chronic overuse, repetitive stress, or poor posture that places excessive load on the SI joint over time.

Because the causes are diverse, a proper evaluation is important to identify what’s triggering the pain — which directs the most effective treatment plan.

How SI Joint Pain Typically Feels

Patients with SI joint pain commonly describe:

• Deep ache or discomfort in the lower back, buttocks, or pelvic region — often on one side though sometimes bilateral.
• Pain that may radiate to the hips, groin, thighs, or occasionally down the legs.
• Worsening of pain with certain activities: standing up from sitting, climbing stairs, prolonged standing or sitting, walking, or large steps.
• Stiffness or discomfort after long periods of inactivity, or difficulty finding a comfortable sitting or sleeping position.
• Sometimes a sense of instability in the hips or lower back, as though the joint feels “uneasy” or “out of place.”

Because these symptoms often overlap with other causes of lower back pain (e.g. lumbar spine issues, hip joint problems), accurate diagnosis is essential. 

How We Diagnose SI Joint Pain

At American Pain & Wellness, our diagnostic process includes:

• A detailed medical and activity history, evaluating potential triggers — trauma, repetitive stress, posture, pregnancy, biomechanics, etc.
• Focused physical examination: assessing pain on palpation of the SI joint region, evaluating posture, gait, leg-length discrepancy, and functional movements.
• If indicated, imaging studies (X-rays, MRI) or specialized diagnostic tests — to rule out structural causes, arthritis, or inflammatory disease.
• In select cases, diagnostic injections (numbing the SI joint) — if pain subsides significantly after injection, it helps confirm the SI joint as the source of discomfort.

This comprehensive approach helps distinguish SI joint pain from other sources of low back or hip pain, enabling precise and effective treatment.

Treatment Approaches for SI Joint Pain

Treatment plans at American Pain & Wellness are tailored individually, but often involve a combination of:

Conservative & Non-Surgical Care

• Physical therapy and targeted exercises to strengthen surrounding muscles, improve posture, and stabilize the pelvis and spine.
• Pain and inflammation management with medications — such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or muscle relaxants, when appropriate.
• Use of supportive devices (e.g. SI belts) to reduce joint stress, improve alignment, and ease discomfort during daily activities.
• Lifestyle modifications — including posture correction, activity adjustments, and education on joint-protective habits.

Interventional & Minimally Invasive Therapies

• Guided injections into the SI joint (e.g. corticosteroid or anesthetic injections) — to reduce pain and inflammation, or provide diagnostic clarity.
• If pain persists despite conservative and interventional treatments, and if indicated by diagnostic findings, advanced options such as nerve ablation (e.g. radiofrequency denervation) may be considered.

When Surgery May Be Considered

Surgical fusion of the SI joint (joining sacrum and pelvis) is seldom the first choice. It may be reserved for chronic, severe cases where other treatments have failed, and when dysfunction is clearly demonstrated. 

What to Expect: Recovery & Management

Because SI joint pain can stem from many causes, recovery varies by individual. However:

• With consistent physical therapy, strengthening, and joint care, many patients experience significant improvement in pain and function over time.
• For some, periodic maintenance treatments (injections, therapy) may be needed to manage recurrence or flare-ups.
• Lifestyle adjustments — posture, movement habits, ergonomic awareness — play a major role in long-term success.
• If structural or degenerative changes are present, realistic expectations and careful follow-up are essential.

At American Pain & Wellness, we support patients through every step — from diagnosis, through treatment, to long-term management and prevention.