Your Sacroiliac Joints are a critical linkage system between your lower spine and pelvis. The sacrum (tailbone) connects on the right and left sides of the ilia (pelvic bones) to form your sacroiliac joints.One of the common causes of low back and pelvic pain occurs with injuries to the sacroiliac (SI) joint and ligaments.
A quick search online shows differing viewpoints recommendations on addressing SI Joint Pain, with most recommendations involving injections.
Scientists have questioned what the best treatment option is for patients with SI Joint Pain. A recent study published in European Spine Journal decided to investigate which avenue of treatment would serve the patient best, and involved the randomized-controlled trial, which is the highest level of clinical study that can be performed.
A Randomized Controlled Trial
In the study, researchers compared three treatment options:
- physical therapy
- chiropractic treatments
- intra-articular injections of corticosteroids
Patients included 51 adults with leg pain associated with the sacroiliac joint. Researchers then analyzed the effectiveness of each method after 6 weeks of selected treatments, and then again after 12 weeks. The results for each patient was categorized as either a success or failure, based on relief or worsening of symptoms as well as average pain scores.
Results of the Study
The study’s findings revealed that chiropractic manual therapy is the superior choice for treating leg pain associated with the SIJ. Researchers also found that neither physical therapy nor injections resulted in significant pain relief, whereas chiropractic treatments resulted in a significant improvement on pain scores.
The success rate for chiropractic manual therapy was 72%, compared to just 20% for physiotherapy and 50% for corticosteroid injections.
Why did the chiropractic approach do so well when other traditional medical approaches were less effective? The answer is that chiropractic, by using manipulation to restore proper pelvic function reduced the strain in the sacroiliac joints. When we walk, we stabilize and generate force and leverage for walking and moving through the pelvis. Since the myofascia which surrounds all our muscles and other organ systems will mold according to forces we place upon it, if those forces are asymmetrical, the core will distort, causing the pelvis to do the same, thereby causing pelvic distortion.
Due to the success rate and pain reduction of chiropractic manual therapy, the study authors concluded that chiropractic should be the first treatment of choice in patients with SI Joint Pain.
Treatment for SI Joint Pain in Augusta GA
If you would like to meet with a chiropractor in Augusta GA that specializes in customized treatments, you can schedule a complimentary consultation at Georgia Clinic of Chiropractic. With our sacroiliac joint-specific treatments, we have significantly helped SI joint pain sufferers with their condition. If you would like to get started today, call our friendly office at (706) 814-5053 or schedule your appointment online. We look forward to seeing if our results-oriented treatments are the right fit for you and your condition.
The Georgia Clinic of Chiropractic Blog is written by Dr. Mark Huntsman.
Augusta GA Chiropractor Georgia Clinic of Chiropractic provides customized treatments to Augusta GA, Martinez GA, and Evans GA patients. Visit the main website at www.georgia-clinic.com for chiropractic in Augusta GA.
