Sacroiliac Joint Pain refers to pain and discomfort felt within or around the Sacroiliac Joint of the pelvis, where the bones of the lower back meet the bones of the pelvis. Sacroiliac Joint Pain is a common problem, and has the potential to affect one in five people over the course of their lifetimes, with studies estimating that 15–30% of chronic low back pain cases originate from the SIJ (McCormick et al., 2025). In practical terms, SIJ dysfunction is a major but often under‑identified source of persistent discomfort.
The Sacroiliac Joint transfers the weight of the torso and the lower back into the bones of the pelvis. The joint is reinforced with strong ligaments and overlaid with a muscular mesh that keeps the joint strong and stable. Because of the nature of the joint, Sacroiliac Pain can be felt in a broad band across the tops of the hips, as well as in the lower back or even in the legs. Pain referral from the SIJ is a well‑documented phenomenon, with research showing that up to 50% of individuals with confirmed SIJ dysfunction report radiation into the lower extremity (Szadek et al., 2024). This means that SIJ irritation can mimic other musculoskeletal or neural conditions, complicating diagnosis.
Sacroiliac Pain is most commonly experienced in prolonged sitting, and may become worse when bending forward. For this reason, both technical and manual professionals are at a risk of experiencing this discomfort, and this risk is increased again if a person has recently experienced pain, discomfort, or injury of the lower back, the hips, the hamstrings, or the knees. Sacroiliac Joint irritation can also result in referred symptoms being felt in one or both of the legs due to the irritation of the nerves that pass through this region, as well as pain when performing otherwise unremarkable activities such as sitting down or rolling in bed. Occupational exposure is a major driver of SIJ irritation, and this risk is amplified in individuals whose work involves repetitive bending, lifting, or extended periods of static sitting. Epidemiological reviews indicate that manual workers experience SIJ‑related pain at nearly twice the rate of non‑manual workers (Toussaint et. al., 1999). This makes occupational biomechanics a central consideration in both prevention and management.
A history of lower back, hip, hamstring, or knee injury further increases susceptibility to SIJ irritation. This is consistent with evidence demonstrating that altered lower‑limb biomechanics can increase SIJ loading by up to 25% (Kiapour et. al., 2020), where movement asymmetry is a major predictor of SIJ pain. Nerve irritation in the region of the SIJ can also produce referred symptoms, including leg pain, altered sensation, or discomfort during simple activities such as rolling in bed or transitioning from sitting to standing. These symptoms reflect the close anatomical relationship between the SIJ and the lumbosacral neural structures. Studies have shown that SIJ provocation can reproduce leg symptoms in up to 28% of affected individuals (Godek, 2022).
Management of Sacroiliac Pain depends on the cause of the pain, how it feels and changes over the day, what makes it better or worse, and the length of time you have been experiencing the pain. Your first assessment will look at the main factors behind your discomfort and set the foundation for reducing pain and improving movement. From there, treatment is tailored to your needs, with a focus on easing discomfort, restoring pain-free mobility, and creating a plan to help prevent flare-ups in the future.
At Atlas Physio, we provide clear education, structured management, and ongoing support both in the clinic and at home. Bulk-billing is available at the clinic which is open seven days a week, open weekends, and with no gap for WorkCover or TAC clients. Get in touch today and take the first step toward living more comfortably and confidently, supported by care that is practical, reliable, and designed to deliver lasting results.
REFERENCES
Godek, P. (2022). Sacroiliac joint pain – The current state of art. Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research, 44(3).
Kiapour, A., Joukar, A., Elgafy, H., Erbulut, D. U., Agarwal, A. K., & Goel, V. K. (2020). Biomechanics of the Sacroiliac Joint: Anatomy, Function, Biomechanics, Sexual Dimorphism, and Causes of Pain. International journal of spine surgery, 14(Suppl 1),
McCormick, Z. L., Hurley, R. W., & Cohen, S. P. (2025). Sacroiliac joint complex pain consensus practice guidelines from a multispecialty, international working group: an infographic. Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.), 26(12), 936–937.
Szadek, K., Cohen, S. P., de Andrès Ares, J., Steegers, M., Van Zundert, J., & Kallewaard, J. W. (2024). 5. Sacroiliac joint pain. Pain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain, 24(4), 627–646.
Toussaint, R., Gawlik, C. S., Rehder, U., & Rüther, W. (1999). Sacroiliac dysfunction in construction workers. Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics, 22(3), 134–138.