Sacral bone pain is perceived in the lower part of the back and saddle area. Commonly, the underlying reason for pain in this region is injury or trauma to the joint present between the hip and vertebral column. Sometimes this pain can spread to other parts of the body and lead to leg pain, for example.
Anatomy of the Sacrum
The iliac bones are located at the base of the spine. They are triangular-shaped bones present between the two hip bones. The sacrum is anatomically present between the fifth lumbar vertebrae and the coccyx (tailbone) and consists of five segments (S1 to S5), which are fused together. Together with the iliac bones, the sacrum forms what are called sacroiliac joints (SI joints, in short).
Causes of Sacral Bone Pain and Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
There may be many underlying causes of sacral bone pain or SI joint dysfunction, some of which are discussed below:
External Endometriosis
It is a gynaecological disease in which some of the glands of the innermost layer of the uterus are present outside their normal location. This disease may extend up to sacro-uterine ligaments and behind the cervix.
Spinal Anomalies
The anomalies may be congenital or acquired. Pain in this situation is sudden in onset, continuous, severe in nature and felt when a load is exerted to the vertebral column.
Sustained Physical Activity
Continuous and sustained physical stress may lead to strain on the musculature of the lower back and is a source of pain for many people, especially those who do not have strong ligaments and muscles to sustain the effort.
Infections
Infectious lesions may form in the bone and lead to severe SI joint pain.
Metabolic Diseases of the Bone
Osteoporosis is one such example. It is a degenerative bone disease which is mostly found in the elderly population, due to wear and tear changes associated with age.
Other factors that can cause pain in this region include joint inflammation and ankylosing spondylitis.
Diagnosis of Sacral Bone Pain
For people with painful health conditions, it is recommended to seek professional medical advice from a specialist. To diagnose sacral bone pain, your doctor will take a history and perform a thorough physical examination to look for any abnormality in your posture, gait, shape of vertebral column and range of movements.
If the doctor suspects any injury or any pathological process in the bones or joints of the vertebral column, a radiological investigation may be ordered (i.e. X-Ray, CT scan or MRI).
Treatment of Sacral Bone Pain
In order to manage or relieve pain in the sacral region, you may want to try these approaches:
- Wear a medical back brace or corset to support your upper body, and more specifically your spine.
- Perform exercises that help maintain spinal flexibility
- Taking calcium and vitamin D supplements is recommended if your bones are weakened.
- Apply hot and cold packs if your pain is only mild or moderate, instead of taking anti-inflammatory medication.
- Perform stretching exercises that target your hip flexors, hamstrings and glutes muscles.
- Get help from a physical therapist and practice physical therapy to mobilise the spine and joints.
- Use a spinal decompression device to improve the health of your lower back and remove the pain from the source
Treatment of Sacral Bone Pain
How spinal decompression therapy helps with sacral bone pain
Spinal decompression helps restore the natural space between the vertebrae that have become compressed, helping to relax the spine. In this case, spinal decompression therapy that focuses on the lower back and hip region is especially effective as it accurately targets the local source of the pain.
Given the design of the Backrack, the lower portion of the design perfectly fits into your spine, ensuring that anything affecting the lower back and pelvic region of your body is fixed, providing long-term pain relief.
Author: Spinal Backrack
