You may have seen some dimples at the base of your spine, those dimples are where your sacroiliac joints are located.  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.

When one or both joints misaligns, you will experience swelling there.  What you might feel is either a dull pain or sharp pain. The pain will usually not be where the joint is but you will feel it in the buttocks, low back, or legs.  It can also affect the groin and even the feet.  That’s why sometimes it is misdiagnosed as a hip problem or sciatica.  The tell-tale sign is difficulty turning in bed.  You would usually have more pain on weight bearing (standing, stair climbing) and relieved by sitting.  Low back pain especially a disc problem would have increased pain on sitting. 

What can cause SI joint pain could be increased stress due to weight, improper gait or a traumatic event even one that occurred years ago and has been dormant.  Many times it is just posture such as how we sleep.  Many times it can also be from lifting things. 

Usually X-rays won’t show much.  On examination, I will see one side of the pelvis higher than the other. 

Over the counter pain relievers usually don’t help much.  Use of ice can help a little.  Physical therapy may address the surrounding muscles with specific stretches; however it does not address the misalignment like chiropractic does.  And finally, some supplements that can help are apple cider vinegar, turmeric and omega fish oils to help with the inflammation.  Additionally, glucosamine or Wobenzyme can help.