Gilbert PT June 2017

Understanding Sacroiliac Dysfunction

Y our sacroiliac joint, or “SI joint,” is the joint where your spine meets your pelvis. This area, which is prone to rotational forces, can leave you with back pain when it becomes damaged. While anyone can injure their SI joint, this injury typically occurs in active people, and usually happens after bending and twisting activities. People who experience sacroiliac dysfunction will often have pain on the back of their hip and down their leg. Many times, they’ll grab the small of their back on one side. Not only does this injury affect your lower back, but it can also create symptoms in the knee, foot, and ankle. One of the biggest problems with sacroiliac dysfunction is that people can get by for quite some time before realizing that they are injured. The joint may rotate out of place, and, as a result, someone may use activity avoidance and over-the-counter pain medicine to cope instead of seeking treatment. Usually, people can end up having on-again, off-again pain symptoms for years until their pelvis is put back into place. Only then can they become truly pain-free.

The good news is that sacroiliac dysfunction is very treatable and responds well to manual physical therapy techniques, like targeted stretching and manipulation. If you think that your SI joint may be out of place, or if you’ve been relying on over-the-counter pain meds for back pain for an extended period of time, a physical therapist can help you get back to normal! – Dr. Michael M. Gilbert

Take a Break

Sensational Summer Salad

Ingredients

• • •

1 pound strawberries, thinly sliced 3 medium peaches, thinly sliced

1 cup blueberries

• 1 heaping tablespoon fresh basil or mint, chopped • 2 tablespoons lemon juice • 1 tablespoon maple syrup • 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

Directions

1. In a medium serving bowl, combine the strawberries, peaches, blueberries, and basil. 2. Drizzle lemon juice, maple syrup, and balsamic vinegar on top. 3. Gently toss to combine. 4. Serve immediately, or chill for later.

Solution:

Recipe inspired by CookieAndKate.com.

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