Pain in the lower back and buttock is common — but in many people it actually comes from the sacroiliac joint (SIJ), the joint connecting your spine to your pelvis. SIJ pain is a real, diagnosable source of chronic back discomfort that often goes unnoticed. (IASP)
What Is SIJ Pain?
SIJ pain typically presents as:
- Pain on one side of the lower back or buttock
- Increased discomfort with sitting, standing, or climbing stairs
- Pain when turning in bed
Unlike sciatica, the pain doesn’t usually go below the knee.
Why It Often Gets Missed
Routine scans may appear normal, and symptoms can resemble other back problems. That’s why accurate clinical evaluation and targeted diagnostic tests by a trained Pain Physician are essential.
How Pain Medicine Helps
Pain Physicians use:
✅ Guided diagnostic MIPSIs (Minimally Invasive Pain & Spine Interventions) to confirm the SIJ as the pain source
✅ Therapeutic MIPSIs to reduce inflammation
✅ Radiofrequency treatments for longer-lasting relief
(These are Minimally Invasive Pain & Spine Interventions, the niche of Pain Medicine and are outpatient procedures.)
Get the Right Care
If you’ve been living with persistent low back or buttock pain despite standard treatment, your pain might be SIJ-related — and Pain Medicine has effective solutions.
👉 Find a Pain Physician near you:
🔗 www.issp-pain.org – expert care is closer than you think. (issp-pain.org)
Pain shouldn’t limit your life — early evaluation changes everything.
About the Author
Dr. Debjyoti Dutta is a leading Pain Physician, educator in Pain Medicine. He serves as the Vice President of the Indian Society for Study of Pain (ISSP). With extensive experience in image-guided pain interventions and chronic pain management, he is actively involved in pain education, physician training, and promoting awareness about modern Pain Medicine across India.