All the little pieces: Sacroiliac Joint

All the little pieces: Sacroiliac Joint: The Sacroiliac Joint By Karen Benford Smith The sacroiliac joint links the sacrum and pelvis. This joint forms a merging of the three bon...

Sacroiliac Joint

The Sacroiliac Joint By Karen Benford Smith The sacroiliac joint links the sacrum and pelvis. This joint forms a merging of the three bones that make up the pelvis: the ileum, ischium, and the pubic bone. The main function of this joint is to provide stability while limiting the amount of motion. Five different ligaments connecting to the SI Joint help aid in stabilizing this join. There are 35 muscles that connect in some fashion to the sacrum which help deliver additional stability to the hip and lower back. Muscular and ligament pain produced in the SI Joint account for 27% of the back pain seen by doctors and emergency room attendants. (Nestor, 2008) The aging process changes the formation of the SI Joint from smooth and rounded found in youngsters to a more rigid source with more friction and restrictions in older adults.

From Web Md: Find the Right Treatment for Your Back Pain Complementary Back Pain Treatments There are several other back pain treatments you can try. • Acupuncture. An expert inserts tiny needles in your skin at specific points to relieve pain. Studies have found that acupuncture can help some people with back pain. • Electrical stimulation. This involves sending harmless levels of electricity to the nerves in order to ease pain. The most common form of this treatment is called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS.) • Massage. One study found that massage helped reduce back pain and improve function faster than regular medical care alone. Be sure to tell your massage therapist about your back pain and any injuries. • Spinal Manipulation. An expert will press against a joint in your spine with hands or a device. The idea is to relieve pressure and realign the joints and muscles. Spinal manipulation is also called chiropractic adjustment. Studies have found the approach can help with back pain. Tips to Prevent Back Pain • Seek support from your furniture. Sit in chairs with good back support. Make sure your desk is at a comfortable height. • Have good posture. Try not to slouch when you're sitting or standing. Keep your shoulders back when sitting at a desk. Don't let your shoulders creep up toward your ears. • Lift carefully. Don't try to pick up things that are too heavy. When lifting, bend from your knees, not your waist. • Sleep on your side with your knees bent. It puts less stress on your spine. Try not to sleep on your stomach. If you sleep on your back, put pillows under your lower back and knees. • Stretch. Before you work out or do anything strenuous, stretch first. It lowers the risk of a strain or sprain. View Article Source Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD on January 28, 2013 © 2013 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

How to stretch the Iliopsoas muscle

How to stretch the Iliopsoas muscle