The initial treatment for sacroiliitis typically involves conservative methods such as physical therapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and pelvic alignment belts.
Sacroiliitis, an inflammation of one or both sacroiliac joints (where the spine connects to the pelvis), can cause significant pain. The first line of treatment focuses on alleviating pain and improving joint function without resorting to more invasive procedures.
Here's a breakdown of the common first-line treatments:
-
Physical Therapy: A physical therapist can guide you through exercises to strengthen the muscles supporting the sacroiliac joints, improve flexibility, and correct any imbalances that might be contributing to the pain. This often includes stretching and core strengthening.
-
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Over-the-counter or prescription NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen can help reduce pain and inflammation in the sacroiliac joint.
-
Pelvic Alignment Belts: These belts provide support and stability to the sacroiliac joints, helping to reduce pain and improve alignment. They are particularly helpful if instability in the joint is contributing to the problem.
If these initial treatments are not effective, further interventions like corticosteroid injections may be considered. However, these are typically reserved for cases where conservative treatments fail to provide adequate relief.
