How To Sleep With Si Joint Pain
Why Is My Sacroiliac Joint Pain Worse at Night? | WCM Center for Comprehensive Spine Care Jennifer Soo Hoo, M.D. A: Why is my sacroiliac joint pain worse at night? The sacroiliac (SI) joint is the joint that connects the hip bone with the sacrum at the base of the spinal column and lies between the large bones of the pelvis. (The pelvis is the group of bones that connects the trunk and the legs.) The SI joint is the largest joint in the body.
- Strong ligaments around the joint help stabilize it, supporting the weight of the upper body and transferring the load between the spine and the legs.
- Because its primary function is stability, it’s a very stiff joint and has minimal ability to move.
- About 15 to 30% of low back pain can be attributed to dysfunction of the SI joint.
Your SI joint can be injured or degenerate as you age and cause low back or spine, pelvic, leg, or buttock pain. About SI joint pain and sleep, many patients say that it hurts when they move or change positions in bed. Why does that happen, and what are the best sleeping positions to avoid pain? The SI joint Motions such as getting up or turning over too quickly may irritate and compress the joint space to cause more pain. To reduce nighttime pain:
The most important thing you can do is to avoid lying on the side of the affected SI joint. When lying on the painful side, you’re increasing the stress through that joint. Try sleeping with the painful side facing up. When sleeping on your side, people often like putting a pillow between their legs to get the body in a more anatomical position (keeping your hips, pelvis, and spine aligned.) Lying on your back can be helpful because this reduces the pressure through the SI joint. Placing a pillow underneath your legs can also help relieve some of the pressure on the SI joint. Sleep on a supportive mattress that isn’t too soft or too hard. Many patients prefer flexible foam mattresses over coil mattresses and medium-firm or firmer mattresses. Softer mattresses do not provide you with the stability and support your body needs while you’re sleeping.
If you have any concerns about back pain or other spine conditions, contact at Weill Cornell Medicine. We are happy to help you find the best treatment available.
, physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist
This question was answered during the episode of Spine Time called “Sacroiliac Joint Pain — Getting to the Root of the Problem.” A recording of this webinar, held on December 1, 2021, is, To sign up for future episodes of Spine Time, where you can ask questions of our spine specialists,, More : Why Is My Sacroiliac Joint Pain Worse at Night? | WCM Center for Comprehensive Spine Care
Contents
Why does my SI joint hurt worse at night?
Sleeping With SI Joint Pain – You may notice that your SI joint pain gets a little worse at night. This is usually because you put weight on the SI joint when lying down, or because changing positions in your sleep irritates it, says Dr. Broach. Another factor: You’re not active in your sleep, so inflammatory chemicals can pool in the joints and make you feel stiffer when you first wake up, before you start moving around.
- Avoid lying on the side of your body that’s affected. This can put extra stress on the affected SI joint and make it more challenging to get on top of your pain when you wake up. Try to sleep on your less painful side if possible. If you find that you roll to your affected side in your sleep, you can place pillows behind your back to prevent that. Some people also find that placing a pillow between the legs decreases back discomfort when they wake up.
- Pump up the pillows. If you’re a back sleeper, rejoice. Research shows that back sleeping can be a very friendly position for people with SI joint pain — it tends to put less pressure on the joints. Placing a pillow underneath your knees and thighs may put even less pressure on the SI joint.
- Consider your mattress, Everybody is different. Some people with SI joint pain do really well with a softer mattress; others prefer something more firm. Generally speaking, most people with SI joint pain shoot for the Goldilocks rule: not too soft and not too hard, but just right. Not sure if your mattress is working for you? Try placing a piece of plywood under your mattress or putting your mattress on the ground. If you notice an improvement in your pain, you may do better with a firm mattress. To test whether you do best with a softer mattress, sleep with a mattress topper for a few nights.
Keep in mind that you may have to go through a little bit of trial and error to find the best sleep position that works for you and your SI joint. “It can change, too: You may find that what worked for you last week isn’t working so well this week,” says Dr.
- Broach. “But once you find the right position, it’s like floating in water — it feels comfortable and easy.” There are a number of simple exercises you can do that can help relieve SI joint pain.
- The given exercises recommended by Hinge Health physical therapists strengthen and stretch the lower back and the structures around the SI joints, making you more resilient to pain and discomfort when sitting, standing, sleeping, and going about your day.
The information contained in these videos is intended to be used for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or treatment for any specific condition. Hinge Health is not your healthcare provider and is not responsible for any injury sustained or exacerbated by your use of or participation in these exercises.
Is it OK to walk with SI joint pain?
High-impact exercises that involve twisting or forward bending of the spine may worsen sacroiliac (SI) joint pain. Low-impact exercises like exercise walking, stationary bike, and water aerobics are gentler on the SI joint.
Will my sacroiliac joint pain ever go away?
What Are the Risk Factors and Complications of SI joint pain? – People of all ages, races, and genders can have SI joint pain. For younger people, the most common cause is a sports injury or accident. For older people, decline with age causes SI joint pain. For people designated female at birth, SI joint pain is more common during and after pregnancy. Other risk factors include:
Having legs that are different lengths. Being older. Having inflammatory arthritis. Having had spine surgery.
SI joint pain may go away on its own with rest. But it can also get worse and cause more pain. It can make it hard to do daily activities and exercises you love. This is why it’s good to see a doctor to learn the cause of your pain and how to treat it.
Why does sacroiliac hurt so bad?
Sacroiliac joint pain – Mayo Clinic Orthopedics & Sports Medicine The sacroiliac joints are the joints where the lower part of the spine (sacrum) connects to the pelvis. There are two sacroiliac joints, one on each side, with ligaments in each joint that hold the bones together.
Sacroiliac joint pain can be difficult to diagnose as other conditions can cause similar symptoms. Sacroiliac joint pain is most commonly felt in the low back and buttock but can also be referred into the thigh and leg. If numbness and tingling or weakness is present, an alternative diagnosis should be considered.
Sacroiliac pain can be aggravated with prolonged sitting or standing, standing on one leg, stair climbing, going from sit to stand, and with running. Potential causes of sacroiliac pain include arthritis, traumatic injury, pregnancy and post-partum, systemic inflammatory conditions, and infection.
- Other potential contributors include spinal scoliosis, leg length discrepancy, and previous lumbar spine fusion.
- Sometimes, there is no clear cause for sacroiliac pain.
- The diagnosis of sacroiliac pain starts with a careful history and physical examination, which helps to distinguish sacroiliac pain from other potential etiologies.
Imaging is often recommended, starting with plain radiographs (X-rays). Sometimes your provider will recommend more advanced imaging, including a CT scan or MRI. If the diagnosis is not clear, a diagnostic (anesthetic) injection into the sacroiliac joint can provide valuable diagnostic information.
How do I stop my SI joint from hurting at night?
Why Is My Sacroiliac Joint Pain Worse at Night? | WCM Center for Comprehensive Spine Care Jennifer Soo Hoo, M.D. A: Why is my sacroiliac joint pain worse at night? The sacroiliac (SI) joint is the joint that connects the hip bone with the sacrum at the base of the spinal column and lies between the large bones of the pelvis. (The pelvis is the group of bones that connects the trunk and the legs.) The SI joint is the largest joint in the body.
Strong ligaments around the joint help stabilize it, supporting the weight of the upper body and transferring the load between the spine and the legs. Because its primary function is stability, it’s a very stiff joint and has minimal ability to move. About 15 to 30% of low back pain can be attributed to dysfunction of the SI joint.
Your SI joint can be injured or degenerate as you age and cause low back or spine, pelvic, leg, or buttock pain. About SI joint pain and sleep, many patients say that it hurts when they move or change positions in bed. Why does that happen, and what are the best sleeping positions to avoid pain? The SI joint Motions such as getting up or turning over too quickly may irritate and compress the joint space to cause more pain. To reduce nighttime pain:
The most important thing you can do is to avoid lying on the side of the affected SI joint. When lying on the painful side, you’re increasing the stress through that joint. Try sleeping with the painful side facing up. When sleeping on your side, people often like putting a pillow between their legs to get the body in a more anatomical position (keeping your hips, pelvis, and spine aligned.) Lying on your back can be helpful because this reduces the pressure through the SI joint. Placing a pillow underneath your legs can also help relieve some of the pressure on the SI joint. Sleep on a supportive mattress that isn’t too soft or too hard. Many patients prefer flexible foam mattresses over coil mattresses and medium-firm or firmer mattresses. Softer mattresses do not provide you with the stability and support your body needs while you’re sleeping.
If you have any concerns about back pain or other spine conditions, contact at Weill Cornell Medicine. We are happy to help you find the best treatment available.
, physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist
This question was answered during the episode of Spine Time called “Sacroiliac Joint Pain — Getting to the Root of the Problem.” A recording of this webinar, held on December 1, 2021, is, To sign up for future episodes of Spine Time, where you can ask questions of our spine specialists,, More : Why Is My Sacroiliac Joint Pain Worse at Night? | WCM Center for Comprehensive Spine Care
What does an inflamed SI joint feel like?
Sacroiliac joints – The sacroiliac joints link the pelvis and lower spine. These two joints are made up of the bony structure above the tailbone, known as the sacrum, and the top part of the pelvis, known as the ilium. The sacroiliac joints support the weight of the upper body when standing.
- Sacroiliitis (say-kroe-il-e-I-tis) is a painful condition that affects one or both sacroiliac joints.
- These joints sit where the lower spine and pelvis meet.
- Sacroiliitis can cause pain and stiffness in the buttocks or lower back, and the pain might go down one or both legs.
- Standing or sitting for a long time or climbing stairs can make the pain worse.
Sacroiliitis can be hard to diagnose. It can be mistaken for other causes of low back pain. It’s been linked to a group of diseases that cause inflammatory arthritis of the spine. Treatment might involve physical therapy and medicines.
How do I relax my SI joint muscles?
To stretch these muscles and reduce tension on the SI joint, sit with the legs straight and apart to form a triangle, then gently lean forward toward the toes. Hold this stretch for 5 to 10 seconds, and gradually build up to holding for 15 to 30 seconds.
Can a chiropractor fix SI joint pain?
Chiropractic Adjustments for SI Joint Pain If you suffer from SI joint pain, chiropractic adjustments of the SI joint can give you pain relief and help you get back to being active again. Spinal manipulation for the SI joint is both evidence-based and safe as well as being generally considered a first-line treatment for this condition. In this content, I’ll explain and show:
How to figure out if your lower back pain is from the SI joint. How chiropractic adjustments to the SI joint and other treatments can help.
Should I sleep with my SI belt on?
2. Sacroiliac joint belts – Excessive and/or abnormal movement in your sacroiliac joint is referred to as hypermobility. If your doctor determines that hypermobility is the cause of your lower back and/or leg pain, she or he may recommend you wear a sacroiliac joint belt.
See Sacroiliac Joint Anatomy These belts (also referred to as sacral and/or pelvic belts) limit the movement in your sacroiliac joint by fitting snugly around your pelvis. Sacroiliac joint belts can sometimes be worn 24 hours per day, but it is advised you first speak with your doctor before wearing the belt to bed.
See Adjunctive Therapy for Sacroiliac Joint Pain Purchasing a sacroiliac joint belt can feel overwhelming, as there are numerous varieties sold by a number of different companies. For example, some manufacturers ask for your measurements and then create a belt specifically fitted for you, while others sell belts in general sizes (e.g.
small or medium). To help you narrow your search for a belt, ask your doctor if he or she has a particular brand of belt they recommend. When the belt arrives, most companies will include detailed instructions on how to wear it, but if you have any further questions you can schedule a follow-up appointment with your doctor to ensure you are using the belt properly.
I hope all of the above information will help you better communicate with your doctor about your treatment options; which in turn will set you on a quicker path to healing. See Accurate Diagnosis of Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
How do I relax my SI joint muscles?
To stretch these muscles and reduce tension on the SI joint, sit with the legs straight and apart to form a triangle, then gently lean forward toward the toes. Hold this stretch for 5 to 10 seconds, and gradually build up to holding for 15 to 30 seconds.
Is sitting bad for your SI joint?
Ways to prevent SI joint pain include sitting correctly, taking regular breaks to stretch, and choosing an ergonomic chair. A regular exercise program is also beneficial. The sacroiliac (SI) joints are stabilizing joints that lie on either side of the sacrum and connect to the iliac bones of the pelvis.
The function of the SI joint is to absorb shock and allow load transfers between the spine and lower extremities. Strong muscles and ligaments surrounding the SI joint provide support and stability while allowing minimal movement. Tight, stiff, and weak muscles may lead to inflammation and pain in this region.
Long periods of sitting can lead to SI joint pain and intensify existing pain. Often, pain occurs in the low back, buttocks, and thighs. Read on to learn how to minimize SI joint pain by sitting correctly, performing chair exercises, and selecting a suitable chair.