Sacroiliac Joint Pain

Q Does sacroiliac joint pain require surgery? Can it really be improved without surgery?

A. In most cases, sacroiliac joint pain is not a candidate for surgery, and in many instances, it improves sufficiently with non-surgical treatments that strengthen weakened ligaments. Joint fixation surgery is considered only for a limited number of cases that do not respond to conservative treatment.

Q Can sacroiliac joint pain be accompanied by a herniated disc or sciatica?

A. Yes, since it often occurs alongside herniated discs, sciatica, and hip joint problems, the pain appears mixed. It is important to differentiate the source of the pain and treat them together.

Q What can I do to manage sacroiliac joint pain at home?

A. Avoid crossing your legs or standing with uneven weight distribution, and sit in a balanced posture. Strengthening your gluteal and core muscles, along with applying warm compresses, is helpful, and it is best to avoid sofas that are too soft.

Q I'm curious about which exercises are good and which should be avoided for sacroiliac joint pain.

A. Exercises that stabilize the glutes and core are beneficial, while twisting movements to one side, deep squats, and strenuous lunges should be avoided during the acute phase. The principle is to gradually strengthen within a pain-free range.

Q Is it dangerous to insert needles or fine blades into the buttocks?

A. It is safe because the procedure is performed while confirming the location and depth using ultrasound. Around the sacroiliac joint, the needle targets ligaments and soft tissues, avoiding major nerves and blood vessels; mild bruising and stiffness after the procedure subside within a few days.

Q Are there any warning signs that indicate I absolutely need a detailed examination for my sacral pain?

A. If morning stiffness lasts for more than an hour, does not improve with rest and worsens at night, causes pain in both buttocks alternately, or is accompanied by fever, weight loss, or leg numbness, other diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis or infection must be differentiated.

Q Can I receive bee venom acupuncture and pharmacopuncture treatments while taking anti-inflammatory painkillers?

A. In most cases, they can be combined. However, if you have an allergy to bee venom (bee acupuncture) or are taking anticoagulants or anticoagulants, please inform us in advance so that we can safely adjust the dosage and procedures.

Q I recently received a steroid injection in my buttocks. Is it okay to receive Oriental medicine treatment immediately afterward?

A. It is safe to allow a gap between treatments on the same area immediately after an injection. Treatment to strengthen the ligaments usually begins after about 1 to 2 weeks, once inflammation has subsided.

Q How long does it take for sacroiliac joint pain to improve after treatment?

A. Acute cases improve within a few weeks, while chronic cases usually improve gradually over 4 to 8 weeks or more. Since ligament strengthening takes time, the joint is stabilized over multiple sessions rather than recovering all at once.

Q It gets better, but then flares up again if I overexert myself. How can I reduce the risk of recurrence?

A. It is easy to recur if you overexert yourself before weakened ligaments are sufficiently strengthened. Recurrence is significantly reduced if you complete ligament strengthening treatment and combine it with hip and core muscle strengthening and posture management.

Q What exactly is sacroiliac joint pain? Is it different from a herniated disc?

A. It is pain that occurs in the sacroiliac joint, where the sacrum and ilium meet at the back of the pelvis. If this joint, which moves only slightly, becomes unstable or the surrounding ligaments weaken, one side of the buttocks feels stiff and aching. Unlike a herniated disc, which can cause numbness extending down the leg, the pain usually stays in the buttocks and upper thigh.

Q In which postures or movements does sacroiliac joint pain worsen?

A. It worsens when sitting down and standing up, turning over in bed, standing on one leg or sitting with legs crossed, and going up and down stairs. An unbalanced posture makes the joint more unstable.

Q My buttocks on one side have been hurting continuously since childbirth. Could it be due to the sacroiliac joint?

A. During pregnancy and childbirth, pelvic ligaments loosen due to hormonal influences, causing instability in the sacroiliac joint and commonly resulting in pain. If pain on one side of the buttocks persists for a long time after delivery, sacroiliac joint pain should be suspected.

Q I live in Dong-gu, Incheon. How is the treatment for sacroiliac joint pain conducted on my first visit?

A. We confirm whether the sacroiliac joint is the cause through a physical examination, and after assessing the condition of ligaments and adhesions using ultrasound, we determine a treatment plan, such as pharmacopuncture or moxibustion. In many cases, the examination and the first procedure are performed together during the initial visit.

Q How often should I receive treatment? What if I can't come often?

A. In the early stages, about twice a week is ideal, but if it is difficult to visit frequently, the interval between visits can be extended by adding continuous stimulation using thread lifting.

Q In what order is treatment for sacroiliac joint pain carried out?

A. We treat the painful area by treating ① releasing adhesions (sole needles), ② strengthening weakened ligaments (pharmacopuncture, heated fire acupuncture, thread embedding), and ③ reducing inflammation (bee venom acupuncture, pharmacopuncture). If the condition does not heal well, we address the underlying causes of recurrence through stages of emptying (detoxification) and replenishing (constitutional adjustment).

Q When I get injections in my hip at an orthopedic clinic, the relief is only temporary, and the pain returns. Can Korean traditional medicine address this differently?

A. While injections quickly reduce inflammation, the weakened ligaments that caused joint instability remain, making recurrence likely. By strengthening the weakened ligaments themselves, we can aim for a state where the pain does not return.

Q The MRI says my discs are fine, but my buttocks continue to hurt. Can pain that doesn't show up on tests also improve?

A. Sacroiliac joint pain is often not clearly visible on imaging, so it is easy to hear that there is "no abnormality." However, significant improvement is possible if pain is confirmed through physical examination by directly stimulating the joint and then treated.