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Glossary

What Is the Sacroiliac Joint?

Sacroiliac Joint is the connection between the sacrum at the base of the spine and the ilium of the pelvis. Each person has a joint on both sides. These joints transfer load between the upper body and legs, support pelvic stability, and allow small movements during walking, bending, and changing position.

Quick Facts About Sacroiliac Joint

Category

Pelvic joint

Used for

Assessing pelvic movement and load transfer

Common confusion

Often confused with the hip joint

Also called

SI joint, sacroiliac articulation

Often discussed with

Back Pain Treatment

Key Takeaways About Sacroiliac Joint

  • Two joints connect the sacrum with the pelvic bones.
  • The joints support load transfer during walking and bending.
  • Sacroiliac joint pain is not the same as hip pain.

How Sacroiliac Joint Works

Hands adjust a pelvis model with red joints beside a stethoscope, X-ray, and small skeleton on a desk

The sacroiliac joint links the sacrum with the ilium on each side of the pelvis. Strong ligaments help hold each joint in place, while its limited motion helps the pelvis manage forces from the spine and legs. The joint participates in ordinary actions such as walking, standing, bending, and turning.

Related glossary terms: Lumbar Spine, Pelvic Floor, Joint Mobilization.

Clinicians assess the area by reviewing symptoms, observing movement, and checking nearby structures. The lumbar spine, hips, and surrounding muscles can influence how the pelvis moves. Pain felt near the joint may also come from another structure, so location alone does not identify the source.

A man examines a pelvis and spine model on a wooden table beside medical tools and a notebook

From the Arrowhead Clinic Chiropractor Savannah team

When we assess the sacroiliac joint during Back Pain Treatment, we review movement in the lower back, pelvis, and hips together. We also consider how posture, walking, and reported symptoms relate to the area. Our findings help guide the type of hands-on care or exercise discussion that fits the examination.

Sacroiliac Joint in Practice: A Real-World Example

A person with back pain may report discomfort near one side of the pelvis after prolonged standing. During an evaluation, we may observe walking and pelvic movement while checking whether the symptoms fit the sacroiliac area or a nearby structure.

Related Terms

Lumbar Spine

The lumbar spine is the lower section of the vertebral column, located between the thoracic spine…

Pelvic Floor

Pelvic Floor is a group of muscles and connective tissues that spans the bottom of the…

Joint Mobilization

Joint mobilization is a hands-on manual therapy technique that applies controlled movement to a joint and…

Referred Pain

Referred Pain is a pain pattern felt in an area away from the tissue causing the…

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Have Questions About Sacroiliac Joint?

Contact Arrowhead Clinic Chiropractor Savannah for practical guidance on Sacroiliac Joint and related chiropractor work in Savannah.

The health and wellness information on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not create a provider-patient relationship. Always consult a qualified licensed provider in Savannah, Georgia, United States about your specific condition before making care decisions. Individual results vary.

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