“How can you tell the difference between sacroiliac pain and sciatica?”

Hello, SI joint Pain is typically from the joint itself, which malfunction of this joint can contribute to Sciatica, which is irritation of the Sciatic Nerve itself, the nerve that runs down both legs, originating in the spine. A trained Doctor of Chiropractic and perform the appropriate tests to determine which is the correct diagnosis.

Sciatic pain can vary from shooting pain down the back of the leg into the foot to limited localized pain into the foot. Sacroilliac pain would be more localized at the hip joint area off the low back and maybe into the buttocks. It also would have more restricted hip motion

Thru bony analysis and soft tissue assessment. A diagnostic pressure placed upon the piriformis muscle where the sciatic nerve exits will give you the simplest method to evaluate true sciatica. Radicular pain pattern for a sciatic nerve problem will send pain down the back of the leg towards the knee or down to the ankle-foot. There is no replacement for physical examination, palpation of the bone and its surrounding soft tissue structures. Radiographic examination and specific history are also required to develop a specific individualized treatment plan, which may differ from individual to individual.

Sacroiliac pain is a local pain in the joint where sciatica is pain that moves from the joint all the way down the back of the leg to the feet.

Great question! Sciatica always goes down the back of the thigh and can extend past the knee into the calf and foot. Sacroiliac pain usually presents with low back pain, hip pain, or buttock pain that may go down the front or sides of the thigh and does not extend past the knee.