10/29/2025
🎯 Low Back Pain vs SI Joint Pain — Know the Difference!
Both can cause pain in the lower back or buttock region, but they’re not the same 👇
🔹 Location of Pain:
• Low Back Pain (Lumbar Origin): Usually felt in the center or across the lower back, may radiate upward or down the legs (if nerves are involved).
• SI Joint Pain: Often one-sided, deep, achy pain near the dimple area of the lower back, possibly radiating to the buttock or thigh, but rarely below the knee.
🔹 Nature of Pain:
• Low Back Pain: Dull ache, stiffness, or sharp shooting pain (especially with bending or lifting).
• SI Joint Pain: Deep, aching, or stabbing pain that worsens when standing from sitting, climbing stairs, or turning in bed.
🔹 Movements that Trigger Pain:
• Low Back Pain: Pain with forward bending, sitting long periods, or lifting.
• SI Joint Pain: Pain with standing on one leg, walking uphill, or getting out of the car.
💡 Tip: Your PT can use specific tests (like FABER, compression, or Gaenslen’s) to identify which one you’re dealing with — and tailor treatment for faster recovery.