If you have ever wondered about the difference between sacroiliac and sciatica, you’re not alone. Sciatica is when the sciatic nerve is irritated, causing pain down the leg. Sacroiliac is the joint between your sacrum and ilium (pelvis bone). There are two of them right at your belt line, about three inches apart and you can often see dimples in the skin here.
A simple strain of your back could irritate the vertebrae and cause lower back pain. It could also irritate the branches of the sciatic nerve, causing pain down the leg(sciatica). Or you may just strain your sacroiliac joint on the left or right, just above your belt line. This is often more of a sharp pain and doesn’t refer pain down the leg.
Both problems can be debilitating. They can prevent you from working or doing just about anything. They can keep you awake or wake you up when you turn. Some can’t even sleep in their bed and need to sleep sitting up. Don’t let this happen to you. Come see your Chiropractor when you first notice pain in the back whether it’s mainly from the sacroiliac joint, or above, and especially if it sends pain (or numbness, tingling, or pins and needles) down the leg.
You may find some relief with ice, heat, or stretching but you should be assessed because you may need an adjustment to properly correct the issue. Then we could encourage you to get onto an appropriate exercise regime of stretching first, then strengthening.