Sacroiliitis & SI Joint Dysfunction

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Struggling with lower back, pelvic, or hip pain? Sharp pain in your lower back. Discomfort when standing too long. A deep ache in your hips or pelvis that just won’t go away. It could be your sacrum or SI joint.

If you’re dealing with persistent pain that just won’t go away, sacroiliitis or SI joint dysfunction could be the cause. Ignoring it won’t make it better but targeted care can help you move pain-free again.

You don’t have to let SI joint pain hold you back. At Hughes Health, we specialize in non-surgical treatments designed to reduce inflammation, restore mobility, and strengthen the muscles that support your sacrum and SI joint. Whether your pain is new or chronic, our expert team can help you take control of your health and get back to doing what you love. Schedule a consultation today with one of our sports chiropractic physicians at Hughes Health and take your first step toward relief!

About Sacroiliitis & SI Joint Dysfunction

& Anatomy That Contributes

The sacroiliac (SI) joints connect your spine to your pelvis, acting as shock absorbers between the sacrum (the base of the spine) and the iliac bones (hip bones). These joints help support your body weight and assist in movements like walking, bending, and twisting. When the SI joints become inflamed (sacroiliitis) or misaligned (SI joint dysfunction), it can cause significant pain in the lower back, hips, buttocks, and even down the legs.

The SI joint is stabilized by strong ligaments, muscles, and cartilage, but when these tissues become weak, tight, or inflamed, the joint can become irritated, leading to stiffness, instability, and chronic pain. Because the SI joint doesn’t have much mobility, even small dysfunctions can cause major discomfort.

Common Causes of Sacroiliitis & SI Joint Dysfunction

Understanding Why It Happens

SI joint dysfunction and sacroiliitis can develop from a variety of causes, including:

• Prolonged Sitting or Standing – Excessive pressure on the SI joints can lead to stiffness and inflammation.

• Pregnancy & Postpartum Changes – Hormonal shifts and weight distribution changes can loosen SI joint ligaments.

• Trauma or Injury – A fall, car accident, or sudden impact can disrupt SI joint alignment.

• Muscle Imbalances & Poor Posture – Weak core and glute muscles force the SI joint to overcompensate, leading to dysfunction.

• Arthritis & Degenerative Changes – Over time, wear and tear can break down the joint’s cartilage, causing inflammation and pain.

Common Conditions Related to Sacroiliitis & SI Joint Dysfunction

Sacroiliitis and SI joint dysfunction can contribute to a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, including:

Lower Back Pain – SI joint issues often mimic common low back problems.
Sciatica-like Symptoms – Irritation of the SI joint can cause nerve pain radiating down the leg.
Pelvic Pain & Instability – Dysfunction in the SI joint can create an unstable pelvic foundation.
Hip Pain & Tightness – The muscles surrounding the SI joint can become tight, leading to hip discomfort.
Gait & Mobility Issues – When the SI joint isn’t functioning properly, it can affect your ability to walk and move comfortably.

Treatments for Sacroiliitis & SI Joint Dysfunction

Find Relief Once & For All

Before we are able to treat your sacroiliitis or SI joint dysfunction at Hughes Health, we must perform a detailed consultation and examination. We start with a one-on-one consultation where our doctors truly listen. We want to understand how your back, pelvis, or hip pain is affecting your life, whether it's keeping you from working, exercising, or simply enjoying time with family. This conversation helps us gather key details that point us toward the root cause of your pain.

In the examination, we assess your movement, muscles, ligaments, and joints using chiropractic, orthopedic, and functional movement testing. Pain is your body’s way of signaling that something isn’t working right. Our job is to find out why. Once we pinpoint the cause, we create a personalized treatment plan to restore function and get you back to living pain-free without unnecessary medications or surgery.

Sports Chiropractic: More Than Just Adjustments

At Hughes Health, we believe true recovery goes beyond spinal adjustments and manipulation. While we are chiropractors, we don’t just focus on your joints. We take a whole-body approach through Sports Rehabilitation to target the muscles and tissues that support you. Your body is more than just bones and joints, and your care should reflect that. By addressing movement, strength, and stability, we help you heal faster, stay active, and prevent future injuries so you can get back to doing what you love without limitations.

PiezoWave Focused Shockwave Therapy: Break Through Stubborn Pain

For chronic sacroiliitis and SI joint pain, PiezoWave Shockwave Therapy uses focused and targeted sound waves to:

Break up scar tissue and adhesions
Increase blood flow for faster healing
Stimulate natural tissue repair—without surgery or downtime

Deep Tissue Class IV Laser Therapy: Heal from the Inside Out

Our Class IV Deep Tissue Laser uses light therapy to reduce pain and inflammation at the cellular level. This advanced treatment:

Boosts your body’s natural healing process
Reduces pain and inflammation in just 5-10 minutes
Feels like a gentle, warming sensation—no discomfort, just relief

Spinal Decompression: Relieve Pressure, Restore Function

If you’re struggling with low back and sacral pain, Spinal Decompression Therapy provides a gentle, sustained stretch to:

Reduce pressure on your spine and nerves
Guide discs back into proper position
Work alongside chiropractic care and corrective exercises to help you heal and prevent future injuries

Soft Tissue Manual Therapy: Digging Deep

At Hughes Health, we specialize in a wide variety of techniques to address the soft tissue causes of the pain.

Dry Needling: This targets tight or dysfunctional muscles by inserting small acupuncture needles into specific muscles and their trigger points to release tension and promote muscle recovery.
Fire Cupping: Using heated cups to create a suction effect on the skin helps increase blood flow to relieve muscle tightness and reduce pain. This warming effect has been shown to be more effective than the dry suction counterpart.
Graston Technique: Using specialized tools, we gently break up adhesions in your muscles and tendons, improving mobility and encouraging proper tissue healing.
Myofascial Release: Active Release Technique (ART), also known as manual trigger point release, takes your muscles through dynamic movement to release tension and alleviate pain at its source.

Sport Rehab and Custom Exercises: Build Strength, Prevent Injury

Pain relief is just the first step. Staying pain-free while moving and grooving is the goal. Our Custom Therapeutic Exercise Programs help you:

Strengthen muscles and improve mobility
Fix imbalances that cause recurring pain
Get back to doing what you love with confidence

The Right Care, Every Time

At Hughes Health, your recovery comes first. While we specialize in advanced chiropractic care and personalized treatment plans, we also know when you need more. If our exam reveals that additional care is necessary, we’ll connect you with our trusted network of physical therapists, orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, and pain specialists. No guesswork, no wasted time—just the right care for the best results.

Your health is our priority. Let’s get you on the path to recovery today!

Why Choose
Hughes Health?

We take pride in providing evidence-based non-invasive approaches to healthcare. Our goal is to identify the root cause of your discomfort and pain to then provide effective and personalized treatment plans to help you achieve long-lasting results. If you're experiencing any of the conditions listed above, don't hesitate to contact us.