Can the SI joint cause Tailbone and Pelvic Pain

The SI joint is a true diarthrodial joint, the most common and moveable joint in the body. The SI joints and coccyx are often the cause of intense low back and pelvic pain.

The Sacroiliac (SI) joint is part of the pelvis and is located where the ilium joins the sacrum. The SI joint is the connection between the spine and the pelvis and acts as a shock absorber and, by design, is prone to dysfunction. It can become inflamed, causing great pain or discomfort.

The coccyx is the tailbone and will become inflamed in the same way as the SI joint, causing coccygeal pain. You can experience pain in the coccyx if an injury or some type of excess pressure on the area causes the bones to move beyond their normal limited range of motion, resulting in inflammation and localized pain.

Strain and injury to the SI joint are produced by a combination of vertical compression and rapid rotation, such as carrying a heavy object and twisting or by falling on your bottom. While a slip and fall can injure any part of the body, landing right on your bottom can result in shifting of the SI joints or the coccyx.

Causes for pain

Skiers and other athletes often experience the pain of a shifted or locked SI joint from multiple falls.

Many people tend to slouch when they are sitting. Instead of sitting up with their weight on their “sit bones,” people will round their lower back, putting strain on the ligaments of the pelvis. Repeated strain on the ligaments can cause the SI joints or coccyx to shift, resulting in a sharp stabbing pain. If you get back pain when sitting in a reclining chair/couch, you’ve probably irritated your SI Joint.

When a woman is pregnant, hormones, such as relaxin, are released that cause the ligaments of the pelvis to relax. This makes the birthing process easier however, it also makes the SI joints and joints of the coccyx more susceptible to shifting. During the birthing process, the joints of the pelvis are placed under tremendous strain. Women often report feeling SI pain for weeks or months after delivery.

Are you tired of suffering from Pelvic, SI Joint, and Tail Bone pain?

The primary focus when treating pelvic pain is to restore the proper movement and stability to the joints of the pelvis. 

Learn more about my top recommendations for pelvic pain

Join my Free Masterclass called Show Your Pelvic Floor Who’s Boss

Some of the things you will learn are:

• The most common symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction and what they mean
• Tips for reducing symptoms associated with back pain, incontinence, and prolapse
• Common mistakes women make when coping with pelvic floor challenges
• The role of diet and exercise

Exercise Program

The 28-Day Challenge and Buff Muff Membership

I recommend checking out my comprehensive pelvic health education and fitness programs on my Buff Muff App. The most complete Pelvic Floor & Kegel exercise App to strengthen the pelvic floor.

The Buff Muff 28-Day Challenge (housed in the App) gets you started, and the Annual membership keeps you progressing so you can laugh, run, jump, and lift without the pesky leaks and annoying discomfort of prolapse symptoms.