{"id":7337,"date":"2019-07-06T06:36:39","date_gmt":"2019-07-06T06:36:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=7337"},"modified":"2021-11-09T15:56:04","modified_gmt":"2021-11-09T15:56:04","slug":"14-ways-to-ease-si-joint-pain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/14-ways-to-ease-si-joint-pain\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Ways to Ease SI Joint Pain"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The SI joint is the area between the Iliac bones in the pelvis area beneath the spine. They are often under a lot of strain and pressure caused by various types of movements and exercises. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the joints become inflamed or swollen, the lower back and hips may become painful. Walking, sitting, and participating in physical activities may aggravate the issue. There are options for treating SI joint pain, but many of them are invasive and require surgery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the SI joint pain is not caused by a serious injury or condition and is mild, it may be treated at home. Here are a few ways to ease SI joint pain in the comfort of your own home. If these methods do not provide relief or if the pain becomes severe, you should stop home treatment and seek medical attention for a proper diagnosis. Doctors may recommend a specific treatment plan that can offer better results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Cold and Heat Therapy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cold and heat therapy are popular options for SI joint pain relief. This type of therapy can be done at home or in the office of a doctor or chiropractor<\/a>. It involves treating the SI joint area with a cold compress first to help reduce swelling and inflammation around the joint. Next, heat is applied to help increase blood flow and soothe the sore muscles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The combination of heat and cold makes the muscle contract and relax easier too, so there is no cramping or spasms. You can do this at home with a cold compress and a hot water bottle, or you may prefer to have the treatment in the office of a professional. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The treatment is safe and noninvasive, so you can undergo it daily if needed. Most people do see an improvement in their pain after using the therapy for the first time, but the relief is often short-lived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Pain Medication<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pain medication can help temporarily relieve the pain of an SI joint problem. Pain medications can block pain receptors, but they don\u2019t fix the underlying problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s okay to take pain medication <\/a>if you already know the cause of the problem and are being treated for it. Some people take the medication to get rid of the pain but don\u2019t take the time to find out the cause of the pain. The pain persists, and they end up taking medication daily to fight it. While pain medication may be a good option for dealing with acute pain, they are not a good option for chronic pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to be able to explain the pain to your doctor so he or she can come up with a diagnosis for the cause of the SI joint problems and a treatment plan that won\u2019t just cover up the pain, but help relieve it permanently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Diet Change<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You may not think that your diet can play a role in your SI joint pain, but it can. The way you eat to determine if you gain weight and being overweight can cause SI joint<\/a> dysfunction or make an existing condition worse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the most common causes of SI joint pain is inflammation, which can be caused by certain foods such as red meat and fatty foods. Some foods can actually fight inflammation, including green vegetables, fish, nuts, and healthy fatty acids. Eating healthier will also give your body plenty of the nutrients and vitamins that it needs to heal faster and properly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While changing your diet may not directly relieve pain from the SI joint, it can help your body recover from the underlying cause of the pain much faster. If you are struggling with eating right, or are concerned that your weight may be the cause of your SI joint pain, talk to your doctor about your weight loss options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Acupuncture<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Acupuncture <\/a>is a type of treatment that uses the body\u2019s own healing capabilities to relieve SI joint pain. The body is made to heal itself, and while it usually takes some time for it to happen, there is some evidence that acupuncture can help speed up the process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients lay on a table during an acupuncture procedure and are told to relax. The acupuncturist then takes small needles and pokes them into various areas of the body. In the case of SI joint pain, the needles are positioned around the SI joint and lower back. The needles stimulate the body in these areas and can help increase blood flow. The needles are very small, and most people do not feel them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people do report a little discomfort but do not consider the process painful. The needles are left in the body for a few minutes and then removed. It typically takes around 30 minutes for the entire procedure, and some people experience pain relief immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Steroid Injections<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Steroid injections are a popular treatment for SI joint pain. It is a minimally invasive technique and some people experience brief pain with the injections, but it\u2019s also very effective at treating the pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steroids <\/a>are injected directly into the SI joint, and pain relief is almost instant. The results last for a while, and most patients only need injections every three or four months. Some doctors will also recommend physical therapy, along with steroid injections. The injections help manage the pain long enough for the patient to participate in physical therapy.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steroid injections do have some side effects, and there is a risk for infection caused by the injection. The risk of the side effects is rare, and most people are willing to accept the risk for the relief the injections provide. Steroid injections can be a little costly, and some types of insurance won\u2019t cover them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Spinal Cord Stimulation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Spinal cord<\/a> stimulation is electrical stimulation that can help treat lower back pain and back pain related to SI joint problems. The low voltage current can help make the pain bearable, and for some people, it helps the pain go away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The patient carries around a small device that is connected to electrodes that are placed on or under the skin. When the patient experiences pain, they press a button to send an electrical pulse to the area around the SI joint to help relieve the pain. Patients can even change the settings to make the pulses stronger if needed, and they can do the stimulation as much as they want. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spinal cord stimulation is an alternative to pain medications and gives patients more control over their pain management. It is still in the fairly early stages of testing so it may not be available to all patients. A doctor can order the device and explain how it works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Multivitamins<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Certain vitamins can help the body heal faster and fight off infections and inflammation, which can cause or aggravate an existing SI joint problem. Taking a multivitamin <\/a>is a good option for people of all ages, but is especially good for the elderly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who are more at risk for back injuries should also take multivitamins to help them strengthen their muscles and stay in peak performance mode. If you are suffering from SI joint pain, multivitamins can help ease the pain and speed up the healing process. If you are taking any medications, it\u2019s a good idea to talk to your doctor to make sure that none of the vitamins will interfere with your medications and cause problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also take single vitamins that can help speed up the healing process too. Many of these same nutrients and vitamins are found in food so you may also get them from your diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Rest<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Rest is one of the best things you can do for your body when it is in pain or suffering from an injury. Resting gives your muscles <\/a>and ligaments time to heal. Instead of continuing to use them and putting more pressure and strain on them, they can stay relaxed and have a chance to heal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even slight movements and walking can aggravate an SI joint injury and make the pain worse. Doctors may recommend some stretches and exercises to help with the pain eventually, but it\u2019s best to rest the injury in the beginning. Once your body starts to heal, the muscles and ligaments will start to become stronger, and it will be easier to move around and even exercise more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That doesn\u2019t mean you have to stay in bed all day every day, it just means rest as much as possible and doesn’t do anything more than what you have to do until your SI joint pain subsides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Cushions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People dealing with SI joint pain<\/a> find it uncomfortable to sit, especially for extended periods. They often end up lying as flat as possible on the couch or watching TV in bed. Lying flat reduces the pressure on the joint, stopping the pain. While that’s an effective approach for dealing with the situation at home, what do you do if you have to go to the office?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you work at a desk job and need to sit in a chair all day, you’ll find it greatly exacerbates your symptoms. The pressure of being in a seated position inflames the SI joint, increasing pain and discomfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sitting on a specialized memory foam cushion can help to reduce the pressure on your hips, relieving some of the pain of sitting. For people with severe conditions, speak to your doctor about how your job affects your SI joints and the onset of your symptoms. However, the cushion will help for shorter durations where you only have to sit for less than an hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Red Light Therapy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

RLT is a science developed in the 60s. While it has been around for more than 60-years, physiotherapists <\/a>only started using it in treatments around two decades ago. Red light therapy has proven scientific backing behind it, relating to reducing inflammation and speeding up healing in the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A red light device only emits light in wavelengths of 610-nm. Red light penetrates the skin, activating skin cells and muscle tissue. The red light causes the formation of ATP, the cell’s primary form of energy. As a result, you start the healing process, helping your body and SI joints recover from symptoms of inflammation-causing your pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RLT is available from most physiotherapy clinics. You’ll need a 30-minute session three to four times a week, and you’ll notice a significant improvement in your condition after the first session. Speak to your physio about RLT and how it can help you manage your SI joint pain symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Growth Hormone Therapy and Stem Cell Injections<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some life-extension clinics treat SI joint pain with growth hormone therapy or stem cell <\/a>injections, or a combination of both. HGH (Human Growth Hormone) is a complete chain of amino acids aiding in the growth of new cells. Some therapists inject HGH subcutaneously into their patients, increasing their HGH levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result of the therapy, the affected individual has a better chance of recovering from the injury or dysfunction causing the problem. HGH can also assist with reversing the effects of degenerative bone disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stem cell therapy is a controversial treatment where the patient receives stem cells injected directly into the SI joint. The new cells help to restore the cartilage and bone in the joint, limiting the effects of the problem. Both HGH and stem cell therapy are controversial therapies, and few practices offer these services in the United States. Many patients resort to traveling to Mexico to receive treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Arnica Oil and other Topicals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Arnica <\/a>is a European flower related to the sunflower family. The plant produces shorter stems than sunflowers, with smaller flower heads. However, the flowers have the same petal structure as the sunflower, with a bright yellow color in the bee’s petals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supplement manufacturers grow arnica in fields and harvest it for processing. Manufacturers press the fresh extract out of the flowers, adding it to various athletic recovery products, such as tropical oils and creams. Arnica oil or cream is effective as a topical to help relieve pain and inflammation symptoms associated with SI joint dysfunction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’ll rub the arnica cream or gel into your skin around the lower back and hips. The polyphenols in the arnica penetrate the epidermis, deep into the joint’s muscles and tissues, providing pain relief and reduction in inflammation. There are no harmful effects from overusing this ointment, and you can use it as often as you like to gain relief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Light Stretching and Mobility Work<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If your SI joint is giving you pain, it’s hard to think about sitting up, never mind moving around. However, as soon as you’re over the worst of the symptoms, it’s important to start getting the joint mobile again. Stretching and mobility drills are essential for your recovery and to prevent future flare-ups of the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visit a physiotherapist, and get them to show you the right drills to increase strength in your pelvis, glutes, core, and lower back. Completing these exercises for a few minutes a day is all it takes to rid yourself of SI joint inflammation<\/a> and pain. Your physio works with you to build the weaknesses in your posture and hips causing the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After around four to six weeks of regular physiotherapy and stretching, you should notice a significant improvement in the health of your SI joint. Communicate with your physio, and let them guide you through your recovery one week at a time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. OTC Medications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes, SI joint dysfunction causes pain and inflammation that requires medical intervention. Chances are you won’t need to run to the emergency room, but you’ll feel enough pain and discomfort to send you scrambling through the medicine cabinet at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using over-the-counter painkillers and anti-inflammatories helps you manage the effects of pain and inflammation. Advil and ibuprofen are common OTC medications <\/a>used in the treatment of SI dysfunction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors rarely prescribe medications to patients to treat these symptoms. In most cases, the affected individual will experience flare-ups of the dysfunction in the coming years. They’ll have to learn to manage the effects of the pain and inflammation on their lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid using prescription-strength painkillers to treat your symptoms. Never use someone else’s medication. It’s a felony to consume other people’s med off-script, and you could end up with an addiction you can’t control. Speak to your doctor for advice about handling your pain symptoms<\/p>\n\n\n\r\n

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