What Can Make Sacroiliac Joint Pain Worse?
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Sacroiliac (SI) joint pain may be mild in certain cases, but it can often be excruciating and may prevent patients from enjoying the simplest of activities — like walking the dog, driving to work, and even sleeping comfortably. To prevent your SI joint pain from getting worse, it's important to know what may be causing your SI symptoms in the first place, what can exacerbate SI joint pain, and what treatment options may be available and effective for you. Generally speaking, people with SI pain should avoid high-impact activities, weight gain, and poor sleeping positions, as these are some of the things that may make SI joint pain worse.
However, it's important to maintain some level of light activity, as a lack of physical activity can also worsen SI joint pain symptoms. At Spine Care of North Texas, Dr. Kendall Carll helps patients manage their musculoskeletal conditions and get the SI joint pain relief they deserve with education, lifestyle modifications, therapies, and advanced treatment in Plano, TX.
Is sacroiliac joint pain the same as sciatica?
It's important to first understand what SI joint pain is — and what it isn't — as well as what causes it. Though SI joint pain and sciatica are often confused, in part because they may share some similar symptoms. However, SI joint pain originates from the SI joints themselves, which connect the base of the spine to the pelvis. When these joints become inflamed or injured, people can develop painful and even immobilizing symptoms, which affect the lower body. Sciatica, on the other hand, is a painful condition related to damage or inflammation of the sciatic nerve, which may also result in pain in the back, legs, and lower body. Some of the most common causes of SI joint pain in Plano, TX include:
- Age
- Arthritis
- Pregnancy
- Repetitive motion or overuse
- Previous spinal surgery
- Weight gain
- Infection
- Trauma or injury
What does SI joint pain feel like?
While SI pain symptoms can vary somewhat from person to person, many people report the symptoms of SI joint pain to include:
- Reduced (or lost) range of motion in the lower body
- Unsteady gait
- Feeling unbalanced
- Difficulty sleeping (waking up with pain throughout the night)
- Numbness and tingling in the lower body
Why is my SI joint pain getting worse?
There are several factors that could be exacerbating your SI joint pain, whether in terms of intensity, radiating to other areas, lasting longer, or all of the above. If you have SI joint pain, be careful to avoid the following in order to reduce your risk of SI symptoms becoming worse:
- Heavy lifting
- High-impact movements, like running and jumping
- Awkward movements, like bending and twisting
- Improper sleeping position
- Weight gain
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Poor posture
- Neglecting your symptoms
If you are experiencing pain, loss of range of motion, or another symptom you think may be associated with an SI joint problem, don't hesitate to call us to schedule a consultation.
How is SI joint pain treated?
Following a thorough consultation and examination, Dr. Carll will determine what may be causing your SI joint pain and will recommend the most appropriate treatment option possible for you, which may include:
- Lifestyle modifications
- Physical therapy
- SI joint injections
- Chiropractic treatment
- Nerve treatment
- Surgical intervention
Don't let pain keep you from living your best life. Get the relief you deserve with SI joint pain treatment and management in North Texas
There's no question that SI joint problems can be painful, debilitating, and take you away from your life as you know it — but we are here to help you feel more like yourself once again. Take the first step toward relief from SI joint pain by calling Spine Care of North Texas to schedule your consultation and exam with board-certified spine surgeon and Plano, TX joint pain specialist Dr. Kendall Carll today.