Sacroiliac joint pain, Any advice?

[VivaLeBeaver]

I got admitted to hospital last year for a week with unbearable pain in my lower right back. I've had slipped discs before and this was worse, far worse. Anyway got discharged with loads of meds and no diagnosis or plan.

Went to see a physio who said sacroiliac joint was the problem. I had 4 sessions of physio and I was cured. That was in dec, two weeks ago it's come back. Not as bad as before but enough to make me scream at times, be unable to stand, walk, etc. It comes and goes. I can be fine for a few hours, then have the pain bad for half an hour, then left with a dull ache for rest of the day with occasional sharp, stabbing, screamy pains. It's making work very difficult.

I have got a consultant appt next month but it's with a spinal specialist as hospital thought it might be back related.

I can't afford to keep seeing the physio.

I've started doing a back pain pilates DVD. Not convinced it will help as it seems so gentle that it can't be doing anything but physio said it would help.

I'm thinking of getting a belt that I've seen advertised, has anyone found them to be good?

Any other tips?

My bmi is 30 so I know I need to lose weight. But my weight has crept on due to back problems with discs making exercise harder. I'd just about got my discs feeling a bit better and was doing zumba and shred and now this and I can barely walk never mind exercise.

Try to find a local osteopath - I've have several back problems, pregnancy related and otherwise, my husband had a ruptured disk - osteo made massive difference for both of us.

But you must lose weight. It's not optional.

Thanks kitsalano. I did go to an osteopath before the physio and liked the physio better. I do think he was very good.

You're right about the weight, I'm walking the dog for over an hour a day and using myfitnesspal but I'm struggling to lose the weight. Will persevere.

I was having trouble with mine last week (not any where as severe as yours sounds I should say) - a friend who is a chiropractor did an exercise with me that eased it a bit.

I'll try to explain it, but obviously its entirely up to you if you want to do it or not, - if you think it'll hurt too much, steer clear.

She got me to stand in front of a chair facing the seat, put one knee up (knee leaning on front edge of seat) then move the raised knee across my body so it's at a slant and more or less in front of my standing leg.

Then you need someone to stand behind and hold your pelvis straight, so you aren't twisting, but facing firmly front ways. Then lower yourself down from the waist into a bent over position, as far as you can comfortably go. then up slowly and gently. Repeat several times on each side, each side in turn (i.e. one on the left, one on the right,one on the left etc. - not three on the left side, then swap to the right) and always balance how many you do each side, only do two or three at a time.

The idea apparently is that it stretches out the sort of fibrous connection, so it becomes more aligned as it goes back into place (I think that's it anyway).

As I say - I found it helpful, but take it or leave it, you know your own body best and whether something will be easing or make it worse. Good luck - and sympathy - it's miserable know

That sounds good, I'll give it a go this evening. Thanks.

Hi,
I have multiple chronic health problems. My spinal problems are, an incomplete spinal cord injury, 3 burst fractured vertebrae, spondylyosis, spondylyothesis and spinal stenosis.
I'm in a wheelchair as I'm partially paralysed.
I've had a few spine ops and waiting for more.
The pain is so severe I have to take morphine and fentanyl. I use ice packs.
Some people find heat packs can help (for me it aggravates it). Some people find a tens machine can help. (for me it irritates and aggravates my nerve pain)
Controlling my weight is difficult, for obvious mobility reasons. I think my bmi is currently 28.
I've occasionally played wheelchair sports in the past, which I need to get back in to.
I definately have to make sure I don't over eat.

My spinal consultant and physio doesn't like the back belt things as they said its best for the back muscles to be kept moving than to be held rigid.

Hi reenypip, I've got a busted vertebra which is where all my problems started from. Sorry to hear that your backs so bad. I won't get one of those back belts then, thanks.

Was having a think today and even though I don't think I could shred or zumba at the minute, I am dog walking for an hour a day and I'm going to add a 5 mile bike ride in to that as well. Should help with the weight.

I had hydrotherapy and physio too.

Some of my physio exercises included;
Going on all fours, and arching back into an angry cat pose.

Lying down on back and bringing knees to chest.

Lying down on back and raising stomach/middle bit off floor.

Sitting on one of those big inflatable fit ball, feet touching floor, and taking hands off. Then raising them in the air.
Also while sitting on the ball, have someone play catch with a ball with you.

I suffer with my sacroiliac area as well. I had an injury when younger and it flares up every so often. Here's what works for me:

1. Pilates, I know it seems too gentle but when my back starts to twinge, I up these exercises and it can be caught before it becomes worse.
2. Osteo he performs a move called 'shotgun pelvis' it realigns the area after manipulation. It's called shotgun as this is what it sounds like!
3. Weight, if my weight gets too high I get more twinges. I try to keep my BMI below 25. It's bloody difficult but means I am not necking diazepam.
4. I wouldn't recommend cycling. This puts a lot of strain on the area for me.
5. Having a good 'core'. I hate sit-ups et al but they do help.
6. A good mattress. It does make a difference. We have a grade 3 which is firmish, too loose and I get an achey hip. Too firm and I get an achey neck.
7. When you get up out of bed do so as though you are pregnant. Legs out first, both feet on floor then up.
8. Yoga ball to sit on when convenient and lean over when you get a twinge.
9. When walking a dog don't let them pull as this can put pressure on the sacroiliac area.

These may seem daft but doing them together seems to ensure I don't end up in A&E or at the doctors more than once a year. You have my sympathies regarding pain. It's much worse than labour!

Oh, and the shred is pretty tough on the whole body. Perhaps follow the easy version until you are feeling better. Or amend the routine.

Shotgun pelvis sounds good, it does feel like it needs a good crack!

I've got a memory foam mattress which is bliss, really helps.

I shall invest in a yoga ball.

Shotgun pelvis feels good. :) I loved it so much my DH was taught how to perform the procedure! He isn't as good as the Osteo but he will do.

I've just seen a YouTube video of it. I had an osteo years ago that used to do that to me. I wonder if dh could pick it p via YouTube.

I have arthritis in my SI joints. My osteopath helps with the muscles tensing around it. I think the important thing is to keep taking anti-inflammatories (if you are ok with them) regularly even when it isnt bad to keep the inflammation down.

I have chronic SI problems and I second the tips on here regarding Pilates - dig around on the internet for the SI related exercises and focus on those. The other thing I've found really useful (and must get back off my neighbour as he's 'borrowed' them) are miracle balls - www.amazon.co.uk/Miracle-Ball-Method-Relieve-Reshape/dp/0761128689/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330362600&sr=8-1 - for a tenner they are worth a try. The booklet has all the moves (which are great as they just involve lying down and breathing) and I love putting one underneath each of my SI joints/in the middle of each buttock and just lying on them. They do work wonders..