Lower Back

SI Joint Pain Treatment That Treats the Whole Pelvic System

You can’t sit without shifting. Rolling over in bed wakes you up. Stairs, car rides, even standing too long. You’ve tried adjustments, stretches, maybe even injections. Nothing holds.

We assess the whole spine, pelvis, and hip system.

SI joint pain rarely starts and ends at the joint itself. We look at what’s loading it wrong.

Shockwave, EMTT, and manual therapy target different tissue layers.

We match the right tool to the right structure, from fascia to deep joint.

Strengthening keeps the results long term.

Adjustment without exercise is temporary. We build stability so your progress sticks.

60-minute one-on-one assessment + treatment plan.

No pressure, no contracts.

Is This You?

If any of this sounds familiar, you're in the right place.

Pain near your lower back or buttock that flares when you sit too long, climb stairs, or roll over in bed

Postpartum pelvic or lower back pain that didn’t resolve on its own

You had lumbar fusion surgery and now you have new pain lower down, near the pelvis

Chiropractic adjustments help for a day or two, then the pain comes right back

You’ve been told “it’s just your SI joint” but no one has looked at the full picture, from your hip to your spine to the muscles and fascia around the pelvis

The Real Problem

Why Your SI Joint Still Hurts After “Trying Everything”

Explore 4 slides on Sacroiliac Joint Pain

Most people have several of these happening at once. That’s why we assess the whole chain, from your lumbar spine to your hips, not just the painful spot.

OUR APPROACH

The Unpain 3-Part Sacroiliac Joint Pain Relief Program

INITIAL VISIT

Whole-Body Root-Cause Assessment

Assess your spine, pelvis, and hip mechanics together, not just the sore spot

Identify specific pain drivers: joint stiffness, instability, fascia tension, or muscle weakness

Receive a clear written plan with transparent pricing before you commit

First 2 to 6 Weeks

Pain & Inflammation Modulation

Focused shockwave targets the deep SI joint area. Radial shockwave loosens surrounding soft tissue.

EMTT provides electromagnetic therapy for pain modulation and inflammation reduction

Chiropractic adjustment restores joint mechanics after soft tissue work

Make sitting, standing, and stairs tolerable, fast.

6+ Weeks and Beyond

Strength & Progressive Aftercare

Pelvic girdle stabilization exercises targeting glute and core strength

Progressive loading and mobility work to rebuild confidence in movement

Home exercise program for long-term durability so gains don’t fade

What To Expect

What Results Can I Expect?

Every case is different, but research and our clinical experience consistently show:

Noticeable pain reduction within 1 to 4 weeks. In clinical trials, shockwave therapy reduced SI joint pain significantly within the first 1 to 4 weeks. EMTT showed continued improvements over 6 to 12 weeks.

Functional improvement you can feel. Patients in studies showed measurable gains in daily mobility, including walking, getting up from a chair, and climbing stairs.

A realistic path to avoid or delay more invasive procedures. Research supports multimodal conservative care as an effective approach, especially when stabilization exercises are part of the plan.

Our promise: we will tell you honestly at the assessment if we don’t believe you’re a good candidate for this approach.

EVIDENCE

The Research Behind Our Approach

Shockwave therapy has been shown to reduce SI joint pain compared to sham treatment in a randomized controlled trial, with meaningful improvement within 4 weeks.

In a trial of 90 postpartum patients with SI joint dysfunction, focused shockwave and combination therapy produced substantial reductions in pain and disability within 2 weeks.

A meta-analysis of 12 randomized trials (632 patients) found shockwave therapy improved pain and disability in chronic low back pain at both 4 and 12 weeks.

EMTT combined with physiotherapy has been shown to improve disability and pain scores compared to physiotherapy alone in a randomized trial for low back pain.

Combining manipulation with exercise yields longer-term benefits than exercise alone for SI joint dysfunction, according to clinical practice guidance.

Outcomes are group averages from clinical trials; individual results vary.

See full references
  1. [1] McCormick ZL, Hurley RW, Anitescu M, et al. Consensus practice guidelines on sacroiliac joint complex pain from a multispecialty, international working group. Pain Medicine. 2025. DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnaf129.
  2. [2] D’Souza RS, McCormick ZL, Hurley RW, Cohen SP. Evidence-based recommendations for sacroiliac joint complex pain management. Pain Medicine. 2025. DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnaf136.
  3. [3] Newman DP, Soto AT. Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction: Diagnosis and Treatment. American Family Physician. 2022;105(3):239–245.
  4. [4] Moon YE, Seok H, Kim S-H, Lee SY, Yeo JH. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy for sacroiliac joint pain: A prospective, randomized, sham-controlled short-term trial. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2017;30(4):779–784.
  5. [5] Tan K-L, Wang R, Liu J-J, Peng Y, Li H, Li C-Y. Effectiveness of focused extracorporeal shock wave versus manual therapy in postpartum patients with sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research. 2024;19:28.
  6. [6] Nejati P, et al. Exercise Therapy and Manipulation on Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction. Pain Physician. 2019;22:53–61.
  7. [7] Liu K, Zhang Q, Chen L, et al. Efficacy and safety of extracorporeal shockwave therapy in chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 632 patients. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research. 2023;18:455.
  8. [8] Krath A, Klüter T, Stukenberg M, et al. Electromagnetic transduction therapy in non-specific low back pain: A prospective randomised controlled trial. Journal of Orthopaedics. 2017;14(3):410–415.
  9. [9] Hollander K, Burgkart R, von Eisenhart-Rothe R, Vester J, Gerdesmeyer L. Extracorporeal magnetotransduction therapy (EMTT) for management of musculoskeletal disorders: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised trial. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation. 2025.
  10. [10] Gerdesmeyer L, et al. Extracorporeal Magnetotransduction Therapy as a New Form of Electromagnetic Wave Therapy. Biomedicines. 2024;12(10):2269.
  11. [11] Yau DKW, Li ACY, Cheung HY, et al. The use of electromagnetic transduction therapy in patients with chronic myofascial pain: A pilot double-blinded randomised controlled trial. Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine. 2025.
  12. [12] Toyohara R, Ohashi T. A literature review of biomechanical studies on physiological and pathological sacroiliac joints. Clinical Biomechanics. 2024;114:106233.
  13. [13] Lee YC, Lee R, Harman C. The incidence of new onset sacroiliac joint pain following lumbar fusion. Journal of Spine Surgery. 2019.
  14. [14] Incidence of sacroiliac joint pain after lumbosacral spine fusion: A systematic review. 2023.
  15. [15] Furlan AD, Giraldo M, Baskwill A, Irvin E, Imamura M. Massage for low-back pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(9):CD001929.
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Sacroiliac Joint PainFAQ

Here are answers to some of the most common questions about Sacroiliac Joint Pain.

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Is shockwave therapy effective for SI joint pain? How many sessions?

Randomized trials show shockwave therapy can reduce SI joint pain within 1 to 4 weeks. Studies have used protocols ranging from a single session to 5 sessions over 2 weeks. Our clinical approach typically involves 3 to 5 shockwave sessions combined with other modalities. We map this out in your first visit.

Can pelvic instability or hypermobility cause SI joint pain?

Yes. When the pelvic girdle is too loose, it can’t transfer load properly between your spine and legs. This increases strain on the SI joint and its ligaments. Pregnancy and postpartum changes are a common trigger. We assess for this as part of the initial evaluation.

Why does my SI joint pain keep coming back after adjustments?

Clinical guidance indicates manipulation can provide short-term benefit, but combining it with exercise yields longer-term results. Without addressing the underlying instability or tissue tension, the pain drivers remain. That’s why we pair adjustments with targeted strengthening. We review this with you during your initial assessment.

How is SI joint pain diagnosed if my MRI looks normal?

A normal MRI doesn’t rule out SI joint pain. The joint moves less than 1 mm, so imaging often misses the problem. Diagnosis typically relies on a combination of physical provocation tests and a clinical assessment of the whole spine-pelvis-hip system. We walk you through this in your first visit.

What is EMTT and is there evidence for SI-region pain?

EMTT is a high-intensity electromagnetic therapy. Randomized trials for low back pain and degenerative joint conditions show improvements in pain and function over 6 to 12 weeks. Direct SI-specific trials are still emerging, but the clinical rationale for using it in the SI region is supported by adjacent evidence. We explain how it fits your case during the assessment.

Can I develop SI joint pain after lumbar fusion surgery?

Yes. Systematic review data show SI joint pain affects roughly 1 in 6 patients after lumbar fusion, and the rate is higher when fusion extends to the sacrum. Fusion changes how load is distributed through the pelvis. We see this pattern often and tailor our approach accordingly.

YOUR NEXT STEP

Ready to See What’s Actually Driving Your SI Joint Pain?

Stop guessing, stop collecting random treatments, and get a plan that treats the system, not just the joint.

Initial Sacroiliac Joint Pain Assessment — Edmonton

60-minute one-on-one session. Here’s what’s included:

1

Full-body movement and strength assessment (lumbar spine, pelvis, hips)

2

Identify which pain drivers matter for your case

3

Review of history and imaging if available

4

Clear written plan with transparent pricing before you commit

No referral needed. No obligation to continue beyond the first visit.

No pressure, no contracts.

We will tell you honestly at the assessment if we don't believe you're a good candidate for this approach. If your condition needs something different, we'll refer you directly.

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