Overcoming Chronic Low Back And Sacroiliac Pain

Low back pain can be exhausting on its own. When the sacroiliac (SI) joint gets involved, it can feel sharp, stubborn, and unpredictable—especially during simple movements like standing up, getting dressed, or turning in bed. For many people, pain that comes and goes for years can suddenly flare into something that limits sleep, mobility, and confidence.

A Patient’s Starting Point

She arrived with severe, frequent low back pain focused around the right SI joint, along with muscle cramping and spasms. Her discomfort peaked at 9/10. Over the prior week, symptoms worsened sharply, building on a pattern of intermittent back pain over 6-7 years. She also had a history of past trauma, including a horseback fall in adolescence and multiple water-skiing falls.

Pain increased with sitting to standing, coughing or sneezing, and quick position changes. She described a locking sensation that made movement feel risky. Day to day, she struggled to rise from a chair, walk comfortably with friends, and sleep through the night.

What We Found And How We Started

Her exam showed areas of joint restriction and muscle tension across the spine and pelvis, including SI joint fixation and swelling on the right side. Her gait and balance were normal, and there were no major neurological deficits, though disc involvement was suspected. Imaging was ordered to gather more information.

Care began with gentle, instrument-assisted chiropractic adjustments and simple home guidance, including ice and activity modification. The goal was to reduce irritation, support mobility, and help her move with less guarding.

Progress Over Time

At her first re-evaluation, pain decreased from 8/10 to 4/10. Pain was no longer constant, coughing and sneezing no longer triggered discomfort, and standing from a chair became easier. Sleep improved with positional changes.

Her plan expanded to include spinal decompression, supportive in-office therapies, and strengthening exercises to help with posture and core stability. By her next re-exam, she reported about 80% overall improvement. She could walk at the mall without difficulty, relied far less on pain medication, and felt more confident in daily activities.