Pain around the SI joint can make stairs, turning in bed or getting up from a chair surprisingly difficult. We look at your back, hips and pelvis together, then help you practice a plan for moving more comfortably. The goal is a useful change in the tasks that matter to you.
Mindful Movement PT offers one-on-one care with Dr. Emily Warren, DPT, Cert. MDT, for symptoms that interfere with sitting, walking, stairs, lifting or exercise.
Why the location of pain is not enough
The SI joints connect the sacrum and pelvic bones. Pain in that region may involve the SI joint, but lumbar, hip and surrounding soft-tissue symptoms can overlap. A feeling of being out of alignment is not by itself a diagnosis.
It is useful to describe the activities that provoke symptoms and any associated leg pain, numbness or weakness. Avoid repeatedly stretching one suspected muscle without checking whether it is helping.
Your assessment
- History: onset, injury, pregnancy-related changes where relevant, previous care and medical concerns.
- Movement: responses during walking, stairs, changing position or other relevant tasks.
- Contributing regions: examination of the back and hip where indicated.
- Plan: treatment choices, goals and reasons for referral or reassessment.
No single online self-test can replace this process.
Meet Dr. Emily: an introduction to online care and coaching
Get to know Dr. Emily through her introduction to hybrid care and coaching. This is an overview of an appointment format, not a demonstration of treatment for a particular condition.
Practical steps for back-of-pelvis pain
When the sore spot is near the SI joint, I want to understand the task that brings it on. Is it standing on one leg to dress, climbing stairs or lifting a child? The answer helps us choose something useful to examine and practice.
A McKenzie assessment may help explore whether the lumbar spine contributes to the symptoms. We also consider the hip and pelvis. Pain education helps replace the fear of being permanently “out of place” with a clearer understanding of the findings and what you can work on.
- Try sitting to put on shoes if single-leg dressing is currently difficult.
- Divide a heavy carrying task into lighter trips while building capacity.
- Use a rail for support on stairs when helpful and safe.
- Discuss hip and trunk strengthening that relates to the task you want back, rather than repeatedly stretching the sore area.
These are temporary ways to make activity more manageable, not permanent rules or a diagnosis. Reassess if they do not help, especially with spreading leg symptoms. Our back-pain assessment considers these overlapping patterns.
What treatment can involve
Depending on the findings, care may include activity adjustments, movement practice, strength work and education. A plan for one person may not be appropriate for another person with pain in the same area.
Track a meaningful task and discuss whether it is improving. If treatment repeatedly provides only brief relief, review the assessment and plan rather than assuming you need a permanent cycle of alignment corrections.
Related symptoms and resources
Choosing your visit format
In-person visits in Salt Lake City or Holladay allow hands-on examination when needed. Virtual visits may be suitable for discussion, observation of movement and follow-up of a home plan. Contact us to discuss the appropriate starting point; there is no fixed number of sessions that applies to everyone.
Frequently asked questions
Does pain near the SI joint prove that the joint is the cause?
No. Pain location alone cannot settle the diagnosis. Your assessment considers the back, hip and pelvis alongside the history and examination. Bring examples of difficult tasks, such as stairs, turning in bed or standing on one leg, to help focus the evaluation.
What should an SI-area rehabilitation plan work toward?
Start with the activity the pain interrupts. Dr. Emily can assess how you perform it and help build a manageable movement and strengthening plan. Track whether that task becomes easier rather than relying only on how the area feels immediately after treatment.