Sacroiliac (SI) joint pain is a frequently overlooked source of low back and hip pain in athletes. The SI joints sit at the base of the spine where the sacrum meets the pelvis, playing a critical role in transferring force between the trunk and lower body. When irritation or dysfunction develops in this joint, athletes often experience pain in the lower back, buttock, or posterior hip that can sometimes mimic sciatica. At Mend Colorado, our Doctors of Physical Therapy frequently evaluate athletes with persistent back pain and note that SI joint pain may account for a significant portion of these cases.
Athletes are particularly vulnerable to SI joint irritation because of the repetitive loading and rotational forces required in sport. Running, lifting, cutting, and jumping all demand coordinated movement between the spine, pelvis, and hips. When mobility or stability breaks down in one part of this system—often due to muscle imbalance, technique changes, or prior injury—the SI joint can become a compensatory point of stress. Over time this can lead to localized pain, reduced power transfer, and difficulty maintaining training volume.
At Mend Colorado, treatment focuses on identifying the root cause of symptoms rather than just calming the joint itself. A thorough movement assessment helps determine whether limitations in hip mobility, trunk control, or lumbopelvic stability are contributing to the problem. Treatment may include manual therapy, dry needling, and progressive strength training aimed at restoring efficient load transfer through the pelvis. By addressing the underlying movement dysfunction, athletes can reduce pain, improve performance, and return to sport with a lower risk of recurrence.
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