Our Full-Circle Approach
to Resolving Back Pain

Education
Professional Alignment
Maintain Alignment
Self-Alignment
Success

Education

A frequent question I ask at the start of the initial evaluation is, "What is wrong with your back?" You’d be surprised to realize just how many people don’t know what to tell me. Identification of a SIJ problem takes only moments, but an MRI or X-ray will miss it nearly every time. It is vital that patient’s know what is wrong with their back and how the sacroiliac joint can manifest their various and changing symptoms. They need to understand the structure and biomechanics of the sacroiliac joint complex. This knowledge allows the patient to better utilize the strategies, mechanics and self-alignment techniques to attain permanent sacroiliac joint stability. Return to top

Professional Alignment / Muscle Energy Technique

At ABC PT we align the sacroiliac joint by using a muscle energy technique (MET) or modified versions of that technique. This technique is extremely accurate and much less painful than other methods like chiropractic. After alignment is attained, we fixate this joint with a sacroiliac belt. This belt cinches around the pelvic girdle and creates a compressive force; giving more stability to this mobile joint. Alignment also includes the Lumbar facet joints. Return to top

Maintaining Alignment

Sacroiliac joint stabilization begins with the use of a sacroiliac joint belt. Again, the sacroiliac joint belt is devised to create compressive forces on the sacroiliac joint without restricting its normal motions. This joint is involved in gait and transitional motions, such as bending, stooping, sitting, standing and getting in and out the car to name a few. This belt acts like a cast and should be worn as snuggly as possible. Most insurance covers the cost of the belt, which can be obtained at the clinic.Return to top

Seat Cushion
A wedged seat cushion with a sacral cut-out can be used for those who do a lot of sitting or driving during their day or have a lot of sacroiliac joint ligament laxity. The sacral cut-out allows the sacrum to "float," avoiding pressures that can disrupt alignment and cause symptoms to return. Return to top

Positioning
Positioning is the first aspect of stabilization that patients are instructed to learn. One basic position is to "sit up straight." Slumping allows the sacrum to come in contact with the sitting surface. The pressure caused from this will force the sacrum into a twisting position, thus dislocating the sacroiliac joint or the sacrum itself. An easy way to avoid slumping is to use a towel roll as a lumbar support. The back muscles are responsible for keeping the arch in the low back, bringing the pelvis forward or "sitting up straight." Strengthening the back will alleviate the need to rely on the lumbar support. A strong back is actually one that can keep a good sit posture without fatigue or pain for over an hour. Return to top

Biomechanics
Biomechanics can be the most difficult task to master for some but this is truly the most important factor involved in maintaining sacroiliac joint stability. Patients will learn the proper mechanics needed to maintain sacroiliac joint stability during activities they do on a daily basis, as well as, job-specific tasks. Poor mechanics result in certain "dislocation" or mal-alignment of the sacroiliac joint complex. Patients learn how to bend, stoop, sit, stand and lift by transferring all movements to the hip joint. This is the most stable joint in the body and is where the body can generate the most force. It is truly the "power center" of the human body. Mastering the techniques within this philosophy of care (POC) will give patients their best chance of maintaining sacroiliac joint alignment. Return to top

Exercises
There are many exercises that trainers, physical therapists, chiropractors and other health care professionals will give patients with low back pain that are detrimental to the integrity and stability of the sacroiliac joint complex. In other words, these exercises will most likely "subluxate" their sacroiliac joint every time they perform them. It is vital that all exercises be evaluated and that only certain specific exercises should be carried out. The patient will learn why some exercises are detrimental and learn about the biomechanics behind the recommendations. The exercise regimen is specific and should be performed with care, as not to disrupt the sacroiliac joint. Return to top

Home Exercise Program
On day one of your visit, you will be guided through biomechanical strategies, which we will reinforce each visit until you have mastered all the criteria. A home exercise program, which includes a few basic stretches, will be administered on the second day of your therapy.　All stretches are 1 minute long and progressive, with a medium stretch intensity. Pictures are always provided so you can have a reference at home. Return to top

Self-Alignment of Sacroiliac Joint

The patient will learn techniques designed to safely realign the sacroiliac joint. They will learn how to detect when movement of the joint has occurred and how to correct the problem. When successful, pain and other symptoms usually resolve immediately. Early on, this joint moves out of position often and it is vital that the patient continue to keep their sacroiliac joint aligned at home as this promotes quicker healing and fixation. Re-alignment is the ultimate pain killer as it takes away the source of pain. Narcotics simply mask symptoms and to not address or treat the cause. Return to top

Success

Success is directly related to each individual’s compliance, commitment, effort and trust in this plan of care. Some people have a hard time believing the simplicity of their low back pain. They are quick to believe it’s a “pinched nerve” or a "slipped disk.” Those that understand and are compliant with this plan of care, resolve their low back pain issue for life. Those that do not have continued flare-ups and try other plans. Our plan of care is designed to stop recurrent low back pain as it embraces a full-circle approach to treating low back pain. We correct the problem, show patients how to self-correct/ align their sacroiliac joint and teach them proper biomechanics to prevent the reoccurrence of further dislocations. We change the way patients move for life, by learning the proper biomechanics at the subconscious level. Return to top

"I learned to do exercises at home and at work and am now able to lift, stand and sit properly. I am not taking medications as often. I have an increased ability to sit, stand and walk longer."

Amy Parshall
Patient

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