SI joint pain could stem from several sources, ranging from postural imbalances to more serious medical conditions. Here are some of the usual suspects:
- Muscle or ligament sprains: Unexpected movements, incorrect lifting, or overuse can result in muscle or ligament strains in the lower back, causing pain.
- Arthritis: This joint disease progressively worsens, potentially affecting the SI joint and causing pain and rigidity.
- Accidents or sporting injuries: High-impact activities, automobile accidents, and falls can lead to injuries causing SI joint pain.
- Pregnancy: Pregnancy can cause hormone-induced ligament relaxation and weight gain, both of which can increase stress on the SI joint, resulting in pain.
- Sacroiliitis: This condition involves inflammation of one or both SI joints, leading to pain in the lower back or buttocks.
- Prior spinal surgery: Past surgical procedures can sometimes contribute to SI joint pain.
It’s important to note that these are just some of the most common causes of SI joint pain. If you are experiencing SI joint pain, you can learn if your condition is suitable for treatment and try shockwave therapy with our New Patient Special.
Advantages of Shockwave Therapy for SI Joint Pain
Shockwave therapy emerges as an appealing non-invasive method for treating SI joint pain, boasting various benefits. It works by leveraging high-energy shock waves to stimulate healing in the affected region. Here are some of the potential benefits of using shockwave therapy for SI joint pain:
Quickened Healing
Shockwave therapy employs high-energy acoustic waves to activate the body’s innate healing process. As a result, it can hasten the healing of damaged tissues, including muscles and ligaments. This is particularly beneficial for those struggling with chronic or recurring SI joint pain.
Diminished Dependence on Medications
Traditional treatments for SI joint pain often involve drugs that may come with unwanted side effects. Shockwave therapy is a drug-free alternative that could reduce the reliance on pain medication or other treatments, making it a desirable option for those preferring non-pharmaceutical treatments.
Enhanced Well-Being
SI joint pain can drastically impair one’s quality of life, making daily activities and leisure pursuits challenging. Shockwave therapy can alleviate pain and improve mobility, helping patients regain their normal activities and enhance their quality of life.
Non-Invasive and Safe
Shockwave therapy doesn’t require cuts or anesthesia unlike many SI joint pain treatments and carries a minimal risk of complications, making it a fitting option for those who wish to avoid more invasive procedures.
In summary, shockwave therapy is a promising treatment alternative for those experiencing SI joint pain.
The Science Behind Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment leveraging high-energy sound waves to activate the body’s natural healing mechanism. Here’s how it operates:
Defining a Shockwave
Shockwaves are swift acoustic pulses comprising a high-pressure surge followed by a comparatively low-pressure trough. These phenomena occur regularly in our lives, produced by various events such as supersonic jets, explosions, thunder, earthquakes, or any incident causing a change in air pressure.
How do Shockwaves Alleviate SI Joint Pain?
A specialized device is used to create and safely administer shockwaves to the affected SI joint. These shockwaves can induce healing at the cellular level, enhance blood circulation, and initiate the body’s natural healing process.
While various types of shockwave therapy are available, the three most common include radial shockwave therapy (RSWT), focused shockwave therapy (FSWT), and acoustic wave therapy (AWT).
Radial Shockwave Therapy employs a hand-held instrument that delivers pressure waves to the skin’s surface. While popular for treating conditions like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, and tennis elbow, it may not effectively treat deep tissue injuries, and multiple treatment sessions may be required.
Focused Shockwave Therapy uses a device to deliver high-intensity shockwaves directly to the affected area. Frequently used for treating chronic conditions such as plantar fasciitis and slowly healing bone fractures, it can cause discomfort for some patients. The treatment intensity might need adjustments based on individual needs.
Acoustic Wave Therapy applies low-intensity shockwaves to the affected area, commonly used to boost blood flow, mitigate pain and inflammation, and promote tissue healing. It’s often used to address conditions such as erectile dysfunction and cellulite, but the low-intensity shockwaves may not effectively treat certain conditions.
Unfocused Shockwave Therapy uses high-intensity shockwaves that penetrate a larger and deeper tissue area than focused shockwaves or radial waves. SoftWave for hip pain is the only available unfocused shockwave treatment in the US. It treats similar conditions to traditional focused shockwave therapy, while providing superior relief for larger joints and muscle issues such as SI joint pain. Fewer sessions may be required compared to radial or focused shockwave treatments.
