All you need to know about Sacroiliac joint pain during pregnancy & its relief measures

Dr. Manisha Moorjani, 4 years ago

Sacroiliac Joint Pain and Pregnancy

A woman’s body undergoes plenty of changes when she is about to bring a baby into this world. Although it’s a beautiful journey, 50 – 80% of women have to go through back pain during pregnancy. One of the common reason is dysfunction of the sacroiliac joint resulting in sacroiliac joint pain (SI joint pain). The sacroiliac joint is the point where the sacrum (the large, triangular bone at the bottom of the spine) meets the ilium (largest, the upper part of hipbone) that is held together by strong ligaments and connects your spine to your pelvis.

 

When you are pregnant, your body produces hormones called relaxins, cause the muscles and ligaments in the pelvis region to relax/soften. Pain generally crops up in the sacroiliac joint when you stress or put pressure on the softened ligaments surrounding the sacroiliac joint by activities such as improper posture, heavy lifting, etc.

Women, in general, irrespective of pregnant or not, are 8-10 times more likely to experience sacroiliac joint dysfunction than men. This is mainly because of the differences in our anatomy (physical structure) and body chemistry.  However, pregnancy is the leading cause of sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Pregnancy increases the lower back pain risk arising from the SI joint.

The hormones released during pregnancy causes the connective tissue to relax. The relaxed ligaments that hold the SI joint, in turn, allows more joint movement. As these joints are not allowed to move much, it causes strain in the joint and leads to SI joint pain in pregnancy. Additionally, the excess body weight further adds to it.

Symptoms of Sacroiliac joint dysfunction

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction occurs as a result of too much or too little movement in your SI joint. It may lead to your joints getting inflamed and result in sacroiliitis. When the pelvis and sacrum move in the opposite direction, it causes discomfort and unpleasant symptoms. You may find that your SI joint pain worsens when you sit, stand or walk for long hours. Some people’s sleep gets disturbed due to the pain.

The most common symptom is lower back pain; however other symptoms of sacroiliac joint dysfunction are as follows: –

1. Dull or sharp pain in the lower back on one or both the sides of the spine.
2. Stiffness around the joint.
3. Pain that radiates to the hip, groin, butt or abdomen.
4. Numbness, tingling or weakness in the leg.
5. Pain that worsens when added pressure on SI joint during climbing, running, etc.
6. Instability in the pelvis and/or lower back

   

Exercises for sacroiliac joint pain during pregnancy

The main purpose of sacroiliac joints is to create stability during movement and to absorb the shock of walking. Discuss with your doctor about which exercises are safe to perform for SI joint pain during pregnancy.   Exercising during pregnancy is safe and encouraged, but you should ensure not to overdo it. You should do exercises for your abdominals, back and pelvis. Stretching exercises promotes muscle flexibility and movement. Strengthening exercises promotes the stability of sacroiliac and spinal joints.

  Below are the best SI joint pain exercises that can help you manage SI joint pain during pregnancy.  

1. Bridge exercises
2. Heel drops
3. Standing crunches
4. Opposite arm/leg extension
5. Pelvic tilt

   

Sacroiliac joint pain during 1^st trimester

Sacroiliac joint pain is also known as posterior pelvic pain. You may often feel pain deep within your lower back and can occur on one or both sides of your back. Sometimes, the pain travels down to the butt and back of the thigh.  

Diagnosis of SI joint pain –

Sacroiliac joint pain can begin at any time during pregnancy. Diagnosis usually involves checking the symptoms, and a few tests to look at stability, movement and pain in the SI joint by your doctor.  

Treatment of SI joint pain –

After an accurate diagnosis, the first line of treatment is physiotherapy and exercises. A sacroiliac belt may provide quick relief.

 

 

Sacroiliac joint pain during 2^nd trimester

Generally, sacroiliac joint pain begins in the 18^th week of pregnancy or the middle of 2^nd trimester. It becomes more intense as the pregnancy advances. Due to the growing uterus, some of the core muscles around pelvis gets stretched and weakened. Excess weight and altered walking pattern cause significant mechanical strain on the SI joints. All of these result in the inflammation of the sacroiliac joint and causes severe pain.  

Diagnosis of SI joint pain –

Sacroiliac joint pain can begin at any time during pregnancy. Diagnosis usually involves checking the symptoms, and a few tests to look at stability, movement and pain in the SI joint by your doctor.  

Treatment of SI joint pain –

Exercises form a major part of treatment that helps relieve the sacroiliac joint pain. Brace or belts can be used for instant pain relief.  

Sacroiliac joint pain during 3^rd trimester

  Pregnancy back pain typically occurs due to sacroiliac joint pain. The causes are weight gain, posture changes, hormone changes, muscle separation and stress. The spine has to support the weight of growing baby and uterus that adds pressure on blood vessels and nerves in the pelvis and back. This causes lower back pain.   Hormone relaxin produced by the body allows ligaments and joints in the pelvic region to loosen to prepare for childbirth. Relaxin also loosens the ligaments that support the spine which leads to instability and pain.  

Diagnosis of SI joint pain –

Sacroiliac joint pain can begin at any time during pregnancy. Diagnosis usually involves checking the symptoms, and a few tests to look at stability, movement and pain in the SI joint by your doctor.

Treatment of SI joint pain –

You can try various methods to get relief from pain such as ice and heat therapy, stretching, exercise and wearing a belt. Below are a few things that you should try out for pain relief: –

• Rest as much as possible and take the weight off your pelvis.
• Take smaller steps while walking, walk slow and less.
• Climb stairs one at a time.
• While sleeping place a pillow between your thighs.
• Avoid heavy lifting and doing heavy household chores.
• Change your position frequently, i.e avoid prolonged sitting or standing.

 

Sacroiliac joint pain after pregnancy – Will it get better?

  Mostly sacroiliac joint dysfunction resolves on its own a few weeks or within 3 months after delivery. However, in some cases, the joints do not return to normal and can become chronic and disabling.