Sacroiliac pain is a type of joint dysfunction that can affect your mobility and your daily activities. The sacroiliac joint is the point where the lower part of your back, called the sacrum, connects with your pelvic bones. The underlying cause of the pain often determines the course of treatment. People may manage symptoms with medication, physical therapy or low-impact exercise.
Sacroiliac Pain
A variety of factors -- arthritis, injury to the area or infection -- may cause sacroiliac pain. You may also have pain at the sacroiliac joint as a type of back injury from improper lifting techniques or bending and twisting maneuvers. The pain is felt in the lowest part of your back and can radiate to the buttocks, pelvis or the back of the leg. You may improve symptoms and prevent further trauma to the area by performing regular, low-impact exercise with an elliptical trainer.
Elliptical Trainer Benefits
Elliptical trainers provide an ideal form of exercise, because they allow cardiovascular training with a method that is low in impact. This means you can perform many movements of high-intensity exercise, such as running, without the added stress on your joints. If you suffer from sacroiliac pain, using an elliptical machine can reduce the pressure on your spine. You still get the benefits of exercise without adding to your symptoms.
Considerations
Elliptical machines may provide handrails that move, allowing you to work the muscles of your upper arms and shoulders as well as those in your legs. If you are unfamiliar with using an elliptical trainer, consult with a physical therapist or personal trainer to help you get comfortable with the machine. Check with your doctor about using an elliptical trainer or performing other forms of exercise if you have sacroiliac pain. Depending on the cause of the pain, you may need to limit your workouts, giving your joints time to rest and heal. If you use an elliptical trainer and suddenly develop sharp pain in the sacroiliac joint, stop the exercise and see your doctor.
Recommendations
Using an elliptical trainer may or may not be beneficial for those with sacroiliac pain. In a 2006 issue of the Journal of the American Chiropractic Association, Dr. Matthew Kowalski explained that physical exercise is important rather than bed rest, because lack of movement may cause complications. Alternatively, using an elliptical is only beneficial if you are positioned correctly. Kowalski recommends keeping your pelvis on an even level without shifting your hips from side to side. When using a well-fitted elliptical trainer, you can derive positive benefits for sacroiliac pain. If used incorrectly, you may only worsen the condition.
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