Sacroiliac joint pain...does anyone have advice??

[Mommyfaithe]

This is getting worse and worse! I am taking neuron tin for fibro pain and it is working!! But, the pain in my hip....birth related...not fibro that I know of....is painful beyond words!!

 

It feels like a knife going into the back of my hip joint and out the front of my leg joint/ hipbone.

 

Exercises? Stretches? Is there a surgery! I am desperate. I would love to start biking again, but walking briskly puts me into pain for hours.

 

Any tips? I have tried heat, ice, Epsom salt soaks, ignoring( that doesn't help)...I don't want to take any more pain meds...but do take ibuprofen every 6 hours....which can't be good.....but gets me through the day....

 

Any advice would be very welcomed!

 

Faithe

[LaxMom]

My left hip rolls forward and pinches my sciatic nerve (delightful!) sometimes. I got a clay hot/cold pack (Rite Aid, not exotic) and have found that icing the SI joint helps a lot. And I have my husband kinesio tape it.

 

Have you tried biking though? Biking and walking are different movements, so you may find biking doesn't have the same effect as walking. Or it could. Just sayin'. :)

[Acadie]

Faithe, I had similar pain for 7 years after my first pregnancy. I saw a surgeon early on who said I'd just have to live with it, so that's what I did for all that time. Now I have no pain normally, and when it does flare up a bit I have stretches to do that make it resolve in under a week.

 

After 7 yrs. I went to a well-recommended chiropractor who did adjustments and also sent me to a PT. I'd walk out of the chiro appt's feeling immediately better, but long term I think it was the PT that helped the most. He not only strengthened my muscles to support the realignment that took pressure off the nerve, but also gave me stretches to correct an imbalance of my pelvis that contributed to it.

 

Not all chiros are created equal, and there are some real quacks out there! The guy I saw works a lot with pregnant women and came highly recommended by a lay midwife. It's worth asking around to find someone good, and same goes for a PT. The PT I saw was connected to the chiro practice, but you could always search for someone who specializes in hip/lower back/sciatica issues. My hubby also had back/leg pain and it was a PT who specialized in backs who helped him the most.

 

Also I've noticed that when I'm running and doing the stretches from the PT it tends not recur at all. I don't do a lot of miles (just 1-2 miles, 3x week) but that develops my muscles enough to support proper and pain free alignment.

 

I can't believe I lived with pain for so long and that it resolved so well. I hope you find something that makes a big difference for you.

 

Amy

[Mommyfaithe]

My left hip rolls forward and pinches my sciatic nerve (delightful!) sometimes. I got a clay hot/cold pack (Rite Aid, not exotic) and have found that icing the SI joint helps a lot. And I have my husband kinesio tape it.

 

Have you tried biking though? Biking and walking are different movements, so you may find biking doesn't have the same effect as walking. Or it could. Just sayin'. :)

 

I am going to try my best.

 

Goal #1 for this summer....is to re-find myself....and do things I want to do....even if it hurts:D. I need to get ME back so I have some ME to give to my kids.....

[Mommyfaithe]

I had great success with a PT that specializes in pregnancy/birth related issues. I went to doctor after doctor. I got the "live with it" from most. I didn't give up.

 

Once I learned the exercises I was good to go. Once in awhile it flares up so I just do the exercises, which are insanely simple, and I'm good to go.

 

What kind of PT would I go to. If you are anywhere near the Hudson Valley...would you pm me the PT you went to. I am willing to travel quite a bit if it will help. Thanks!

[Mommyfaithe]

Faithe, I had similar pain for 7 years after my first pregnancy. I saw a surgeon early on who said I'd just have to live with it, so that's what I did for all that time. Now I have no pain normally, and when it does flare up a bit I have stretches to do that make it resolve in under a week.

 

After 7 yrs. I went to a well-recommended chiropractor who did adjustments and also sent me to a PT. I'd walk out of the chiro appt's feeling immediately better, but long term I think it was the PT that helped the most. He not only strengthened my muscles to support the realignment that took pressure off the nerve, but also gave me stretches to correct an imbalance of my pelvis that contributed to it.

 

Not all chiros are created equal, and there are some real quacks out there! The guy I saw works a lot with pregnant women and came highly recommended by a lay midwife. It's worth asking around to find someone good, and same goes for a PT. The PT I saw was connected to the chiro practice, but you could always search for someone who specializes in hip/lower back/sciatica issues. My hubby also had back/leg pain and it was a PT who specialized in backs who helped him the most.

 

Also I've noticed that when I'm running and doing the stretches from the PT it tends not recur at all. I don't do a lot of miles (just 1-2 miles, 3x week) but that develops my muscles enough to support proper and pain free alignment.

 

I can't believe I lived with pain for so long and that it resolved so well. I hope you find something that makes a big difference for you.

 

Amy

 

Thanks Amy. I am so happy it all worked out for you. I have hope I will get better too.....

[JFSinIL]

Find a pain specialist. You may benefit from periodic injections - steroids I think. My mom needs these every three to six months for just what you describe.

 

My dd used a pain specialist too for about a year as we worked to uncover the cause of stabbing pain deep in one part of one thigh. Believe me, I took her to many different doctors for many different procedures. Pain doc. figured, finally, it was a muscular spasm since it responded to a steroid shot for a short time. He would have tried botox , which may well have stopped the spasm permanently, but our co-pay was $500!!!

 

During PT (pre-pain doc) electric massage helped some - it was called some sort of initials like TENS or ??? (edited to add - yes, it is a TENS unit! I checked) and we got her a home version. See if your insurance will cover a few visits with a Physical therapist as they can be very helpful - I do think they want a referral from a doctor so they have official word on what is wrong. PTs treat, they do not diagnose, and they certainly do not want to make a bad problem worse. We used up our allowable visits per insurance for PT with DD.

 

DD still takes more ibuprofen than she should, but at least the pain is manageable. She knows we will find that $500 if she decides she is desperate enough to try the botox (the big needles spook her).

 

http://www.amazon.com/Portable-Dual-Channel-Timer-Electrodes/dp/B004WIA524/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1337518374&sr=8-2

this is like the one we bought her.

Edited May 20, 2012 by JFSinIL

[Mama_Rana]

I second the chiro. My SI joint gets out of whack. I can FEEL that it's not lined up right. And it hurts, and causes my sciatica to hurt. Not as extremely as yours, but still. When it gets bad, I go see her, and she puts it back in place for me.

 

I had PT as well for related issues [my back story is long and convoluted, I won't bore you with the details; suffice it to say, I WAS seeing another excellent chiro who also had PTs in office]. She gave me exercises to do to strengthen the muscles all around my core, and I do find when I do those, the SI joint doesn't' slip as often/much. I think they help hold it in place.

[Mommyfaithe]

Unfortunately, my awesome chiro was not able to help me. I am going to ask her if she has a PT she can recommend. My doctor would be happy to refer me to a PT....she is really good like that....

 

I will call her Monday. thanks!

Faithe

[HollyDay]

I have SI joint issues and sciatica. PT and massage helped a bunch. If I do at least some of the stretches and/or exercises they recommend, I stay pretty much pain free. But, I have to do them faithfully, not once in a while or only when it hurts. If you have not already had a PT workup, you need to get one. You need a routine developed for you. What works for one person might cause more problems for another. For instance, I cannot walk on a treadmill. The PT said it was one of the worst things I could do for my particular back problem. But, my IRL gf gets much relief from treadmill walking. We both have back problems. But, the pain is from a different origin. Get a personalized protocol so you can get relief.

[Denise in Florida]

Faithe, I had similar pain for 7 years after my first pregnancy. I saw a surgeon early on who said I'd just have to live with it, so that's what I did for all that time. Now I have no pain normally, and when it does flare up a bit I have stretches to do that make it resolve in under a week.

 

After 7 yrs. I went to a well-recommended chiropractor who did adjustments and also sent me to a PT. I'd walk out of the chiro appt's feeling immediately better, but long term I think it was the PT that helped the most. He not only strengthened my muscles to support the realignment that took pressure off the nerve, but also gave me stretches to correct an imbalance of my pelvis that contributed to it.

 

Not all chiros are created equal, and there are some real quacks out there! The guy I saw works a lot with pregnant women and came highly recommended by a lay midwife. It's worth asking around to find someone good, and same goes for a PT. The PT I saw was connected to the chiro practice, but you could always search for someone who specializes in hip/lower back/sciatica issues. My hubby also had back/leg pain and it was a PT who specialized in backs who helped him the most.

 

Also I've noticed that when I'm running and doing the stretches from the PT it tends not recur at all. I don't do a lot of miles (just 1-2 miles, 3x week) but that develops my muscles enough to support proper and pain free alignment.

 

I can't believe I lived with pain for so long and that it resolved so well. I hope you find something that makes a big difference for you.

 

Amy

 

I agree with the above (bolding mine), you have to search around and get recommendations there are some great ones and some not great ones. I LOVE my Chiropractor and he helps relieve a lot of pain for me. I have sciatic pain in one leg, plantar facsitis (spelling?) in that same foot and a touch of arthritis in that side shoulder. :lol::lol: It is like I have pain line in my body.

 

My chiropractor is great (it took a while to find a good one) and I get relief through yoga (again I had to try several studios before I found one I trusted).

 

Good luck, I hope you find help soon.

[Harriet Vane]

I am not sure if what I experienced was sacroiliac or not. In my case, I had hip pain for about five years. Neither an xray nor an mri showed any arthritic or other damage. Physical therapy did not help either.

 

Then we went on a backpacking canoe vacation in the BWCA. This involves lots of hiking and, more importantly, hours of canoeing each day. I was astounded to find that, by the third day, my hip pain was entirely GONE.

 

I spoke with a physical therapist about it after the fact. I do not remember the technical explanation, but my understanding was that the problem was not in the joint or in my thighs as previously thought. The problem was actually in my trunk, and the action of paddling the canoe exercised exactly the right set of muscles.

 

To "paddle" at home, sit on a large exercise ball or stool in front of a door with a stretchy band on the door knob. Start with arms fully extended at shoulder height in front of you. Pull with hands together diagonally down to just past the hip, and then back up to shoulder height. As you do so your tummy area will twist to the side, your far shoulder will go up and forward, and your near shoulder (on the side towards which you are pulling) will ease back and down.

[vettechmomof2]

Chiropractic care but for me I had to work through and get myself muscled up.

Karate, cardio kickboxing plus extra every single day. Really makes a difference.

:grouphug:

[Sun]

Definitely find a good PT who specializes in backs. I had this off and on for years, and the one person who was a lifesaver was a PT who could kind of rock my sacrum in just the right way to release it. I couldn't tell a difference right away, but about an hour later, I'd suddenly realize I was walking normally again! All the PTS I tried couldn't help me get the problem to go away permanently.

 

I eventually tried yoga, and a couple of stretches from that really helped me. Now it very rarely flares up, and if it does, I can stretch diligently for a couple of days and have it go away again.

 

I have a couple of stretches that I do that target that area. Ask your doctor or PT before trying them, but maybe they'll help you.

 

I found the best stretch for me is to sit criss-cross, but without the front leg tucked under the other leg, instead leaving it just in front. Then I gently lean forward, and I get an amazing stretch in the back of my hip (S-I area). I do this on both sides (change the leg in front to get the other side), and it is wonderful to feel at all release.

 

A similar stretch is to lie on your back and pull your left leg up, bent at a 90 degree angle, so the lower leg is parallel to the floor. Put your right ankle on your left thigh, near the knee (you'll probably have to release the left leg a bit to get your right ankle on there), and pull your left thigh gently toward your head. You should feel a stretch across the back of your hip in the S-I region. You can play around with where to position your right ankle on your left leg and how far to pull your left thigh forward.

 

The thing that helps me the most long-term is to regularly stretch the backs of my thighs (hamstrings). If I keep those limber, then I pretty much don't have any problems.

[KidsHappen]

Yes, this is the number one cause of my lower back/hip pain. I also have sciatica, plantar fasciitis and just recently the tendons that stretch from my hip and go down to my knee have started tightening up. Basically everything below my waist hurts pretty much all the time. I have a prescriptions strength anit-inflammatory and a low dosage pain med (we want to put off escalating the meds as long as possible). I have been to PTs, chiro, message therapist and my regular dr. We did try cortisone shots for awhile but that actually made things worse. The PT wasn't anymore effective than teh chiro and the chiro works in conjunction with the message therapist. I find that I get the most relief from this combination especially when I can afford to go once a week. I also have excises that are supposed to increase both strength and flexibility but Let's face it, when the pain is at its worse I am less likely to follow through on those.