Is It Sciatica or SI Joint Pain? How to Know the Difference
SI Joint Pain vs. Sciatica: What’s Causing Your Lower Back Pain?
Lower back pain can be frustrating and debilitating, especially when you're unsure of the cause. Two common culprits, sciatica and sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction, often get mistaken for each other. While they share some overlapping symptoms, understanding the difference between SI joint pain and sciatica is critical for effective treatment.
For help navigating your back pain symptoms, visit our specialties page to learn about your options.
What’s the Difference Between SI Joint Pain and Sciatica?
Both conditions affect the lower back and can cause pain to radiate down the legs, but the underlying causes and pain patterns are distinct.
SI Joint Dysfunction
The sacroiliac joints connect the base of your spine to your pelvis. SI joint pain typically stems from joint inflammation, uneven movement, or instability.
You may be dealing with SI joint dysfunction if:
Pain is concentrated around the hips, pelvis, or lower back
Pain worsens with standing, climbing stairs, or transitioning from sitting to standing
There’s tenderness over one side of the lower back or buttocks
For more details on symptoms and treatment, see our SI Joint Pain page.
Sciatica
Sciatica results from compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, often due to a herniated disc or spinal stenosis. According to the Cleveland Clinic, sciatica affects up to 40% of people at some point in their lives.
Signs of sciatica include:
Sharp, shooting pain that travels from the lower back down one leg
Numbness or tingling in the leg or foot
Pain that worsens with coughing, sneezing, or prolonged sitting
If you're experiencing any of the above, our sciatic nerve pain treatments can help relieve symptoms and restore function.
Why Proper Diagnosis Matters
Because these conditions can mimic each other, getting an accurate diagnosis is key. Treating the wrong condition can lead to chronic pain, wasted time, and ineffective care.
Here’s how a clinician typically narrows it down:
Physical Examination: Targeted movement tests help isolate the source of pain. Learn more from Spine-health.
Diagnostic Injections: A numbing injection into the SI joint can confirm if that’s the pain generator. The NIH supports this as a reliable method.
Response to Therapy: SI joint dysfunction responds well to joint-focused physical therapy, while sciatica may require anti-inflammatory treatment, injections, or minimally invasive surgery.
Getting the Right Treatment at Wisteria Health
At Wisteria Health, we specialize in identifying the root cause of your pain so we can tailor the most effective treatment plan. Whether it’s restoring mobility to your SI joint or relieving pressure on the sciatic nerve, our multidisciplinary team offers evidence-based options for long-term relief.
We may recommend:
Personalized Home Exercise plan
Guided SI joint injections
Spinal nerve blocks
Pain management techniques (see our Pain Services page)
Explore SI Joint evaluation and treatment →
Bottom Line:
Don’t settle for guesswork when it comes to your back pain. Understanding the difference between pelvic pain vs. sciatic pain empowers you to take the next step toward real relief. If you’re wondering how to diagnose SI joint dysfunction or determine if your pain is truly sciatica, Wisteria Health is here to help with comprehensive, compassionate care. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for personalized relief.