Chiropractors may utilize various therapies for treating sacroiliac (SI) joint pain, with the goals of reducing the patient’s pain, improving function, and providing rehabilitation so the pain is less likely to return. Pain is caused by either too much or too little movement of the sacroiliac joint. As a result, muscles surrounding the joint may benefit from chiropractic techniques to either relax the muscles or to strengthen them.

Muscle relaxation (muscle release) techniques are often applied during gentle chiropractic treatments to minimize excessive strain on the sacroiliac joint arising from an overly tight muscle. Muscles that may require stretching as part of chiropractic care include (but are not limited to):

• Hamstrings (the muscles that run through the back of the thigh)
• Piriformis (the piriformis muscle is a pear-shaped muscle that runs from the back of the upper thigh bone (femur) to the sacrum)
• Adductors (four muscles from the pelvis to either the thigh bone or the knee that ultimately pull the legs together)
• TFL (tensor fascia lata muscle of the thigh, located on the outer aspect of the thigh)
• Overly tight, low back paraspinal muscles (the muscles next to the lumbar spine)

Hot packs may be used to warm up/relax tight muscles prior to the chiropractic adjustment and/or for use at home. Therapeutic massage is a direct way to relax overly tight muscles. In addition, massage increases blood flow to the area, which in turn promotes healing. Other treatments for tight muscles, such as stretching or joint manipulation, may also be employed by the chiropractor who is an expert in sacroiliac dysfunction.

Presented as a service to the community by: Union County Chiropractic Clinic, 110 Skyline Drive, Maynardville, TN (865) 992-7000 www.unioncountychiropractic.com.