SI joint pain relief and treatment options
Understanding SI joint pain
Have you been suffering from lower back pain that runs down into the hip and legs?
Has your range of motion been worse than ever?
You're not alone—sacroiliac joint pain affects around 25% of Americans with low back pain. To explore the best SI joint pain treatment options, it's essential to visit a spine specialist.
Dr. Joel Siegal at Key Clinics can help diagnose whether you are suffering from sacroiliac joint pain and provide a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Is my lower back pain caused by SI joint dysfunction?
Lower back pain can have various causes, and sacroiliac joint dysfunction is one potential source. Common symptoms of SI joint dysfunction are pain in the lower back or pain that radiates down the back and legs. You may also feel:
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Weakness
- Hip/groin pain
- Feeling of leg instability
- Trouble sitting or sleeping for long periods
Sacroiliac joint pain treatment options
If you have SI joint dysfunction, you know how debilitating the pain can be. It can significantly impact your daily activities, making movement almost impossible. Every case of SI joint pain is unique. At Key Clinics, you can discover the right combination of treatment options for maximum SI pain relief.
At home SI joint treatments
For those not ready to visit a doctor immediately or waiting for an appointment, home remedies can offer temporary relief:
- Rest: Bed rest can be helpful, but ensure you move around periodically to prevent stiffness.
- Using Ice and Heat: Applying ice and heat to the lower back can reduce inflammation, pain, and muscle tightness.
- Stop Eating Inflammatory Foods: Avoid foods like sugar, processed meat, vegetable oils, refined carbohydrates, alcohol, and artificial trans fats, as they can increase inflammation and pain.
Best medications for SI joint pain
Medications can offer short-term relief but are not ideal for long-term treatment:
- Over-the-Counter Medications (OTC): Pain relievers like acetaminophen or anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen can help with mild to moderate pain.
- Prescription Medications: Doctors may prescribe muscle relaxers and narcotics for severe pain, but they do not recommend them for long-term use.
- Injections: Sacroiliac joint injections, combining an anti-inflammatory medication and anesthetic, can provide significant pain relief.
Physical therapy for SI joint pain
Before considering an SI joint fusion, Dr. Siegal may recommend six months of medication, physical therapy, and injections to confirm that the SI joint is the pain source and to explore non-surgical treatment options:
- Stretches: Stretching the painful region can help loosen muscle tension and reduce pain.
- Strengthen the Abdomen: Core and lower back strengthening exercises can provide better support for the lower back and alleviate pain.
- Aerobic Exercises: Light aerobic exercises promote blood flow to damaged areas, aiding recovery.
Minimally invasive long-term relief with Key Clinics and Orthofix
If six months with a physical therapist, taking medications, and receiving injections don’t relieve your pain, Dr. Siegal may recommend a sacroiliac joint fusion. At Key Clinics, Dr. Siegal uses The Firebird™ SI Fusion System, a significant advancement in spinal care that offers new hope for pain relief and stability for those suffering from sacroiliac joint issues.
Learn more about The Firebird™ Fusion System
Contact us for relief from back pain
If you are struggling with any back pain, contact Key Clinics to schedule an appointment with Dr. Joel D. Siegal. Let us help you find relief and get back to your life.