SI Joint Blockage

Definition

What is an SI joint blockage?

An SI joint blockage, also known as sacroiliac joint syndrome or SIJ syndrome, refers to a functional blockage of the sacroiliac joint, also called the SI joint or sacroiliac joint. The sacroiliac joint (SIJ) connects the sacrum with the two iliac bones and plays a central role in transferring forces between the upper body and the legs. It provides stability to the pelvis, while at the same time allowing minimal but important movements, and it contributes significantly to cushioning loads during walking, standing, and sitting.
In the case of an SI joint blockage, the SIJ is restricted in its natural mobility—often due to protective muscle tension and overloaded ligaments—or is functionally loaded incorrectly. This condition is also often referred to as SIJ syndrome, sacroiliac joint syndrome, or a “blocked SI joint.” An SI joint blockage is not structural damage, but a reversible functional disorder of the sacroiliac joint that can nevertheless cause pronounced SI joint blockage pain. Typically, pain occurs in the lower back, in the buttocks, or pain in the sacrum. Many affected individuals report one-sided pain in the sacroiliac joint or the feeling of a blockage in the lower back. SI joint blockage symptoms can also radiate into the groin or thigh and are therefore not uncommonly mistaken for a disc problem.

In contrast to structural conditions such as arthropathy of the sacroiliac joint or inflammation of the sacroiliac joint, SI joint blockage does not involve permanent tissue damage. Nevertheless, pain in the sacroiliac joint can be severe and significantly limit everyday life. Targeted treatment and early release of the SI joint blockage are therefore crucial in order to restore mobility, stability, and symptom relief in the SI joint.

Causes of an SI joint blockage

SI joint blockage is one of the common causes of lower back pain and is closely linked to our modern lifestyle. In particular, a sedentary lifestyle, lack of exercise, and walking on hard, flat floors negatively affect the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) and promote SI joint blockage. A key factor is lack of movement: Prolonged sitting weakens the core, pelvic, and gluteal muscles that are meant to stabilize the SI joint. If this muscular guidance is insufficient, the SI joint can become unstable and lead to a blockage in the lower back. At the same time, muscular imbalances develop, which load the sacroiliac joint unevenly and promote recurrent SI joint blockage.

Poor posture in everyday life—such as when sitting, standing, or lifting—also leads to chronic improper loading of the sacroiliac joint. This restricts the natural, minimal mobility in the SI joint, which can result in a blocked SI joint or pain in the SI joint. Another important, often underestimated influence is hard, flat floors and rigid shoes. They reduce the body’s natural shock absorption. The forces generated while walking are therefore transmitted more strongly via the legs and pelvis directly into the SI joint. The lack of spring-like movement leads to increased strain on the sacroiliac region and can trigger SI joint blockage or SI joint problems. At the same time, the foot and leg muscles are activated less, which negatively affects overall body alignment and the SI joint.

In addition, foot misalignments, shortened or tense muscles, restricted joint mobility in the pelvic or hip area, as well as one-sided loads in everyday life can lead to misalignment in the sacrum. These changes increase pressure on the SI joint and promote SI joint blockage. Other causes of an SI joint blockage may include pregnancy, excess weight, unfamiliar physical strain, stress, and age-related changes. In many cases, several factors interact, causing the sacroiliac joint to lose its natural function and resulting in SI joint pain.

Symptoms of an SI joint blockage

SI joint blockage can cause a wide range of symptoms that vary depending on severity, cause, and individual physical constitution. Complaints usually occur in the lower back or buttock area but can also radiate into the legs, hip, or sacrum. However, the list of SI joint blockage symptoms is not complete and not exhaustive. Atypical symptoms are also possible and are not listed here. To obtain a clear diagnosis, you should consult a physician.

• ◉ Local back pain: Often stabbing, pulling, or pressing; worsens with movement or prolonged loading of the SI joint.
• ◉ Radiating pain: Pain along the leg or buttocks due to irritation of the sacroiliac joint or nerves in the sacroiliac region.
• ◉ Restricted movement: The SI joint feels blocked; movements such as twisting, bending, or standing up become painful.
• ◉ Muscle tension: Back, buttock, and hip muscles often harden as a protective response, which can intensify the sacroiliac joint blockage.
• ◉ Protective postures: Affected individuals unconsciously adopt protective postures to avoid SI joint pain, often with a slight lateral curvature of the torso.
• ◉ Pain when sitting or standing: Prolonged sitting or standing can worsen SI joint discomfort because the joint is loaded continuously.
• ◉ Stabbing pain under load: Lifting, bending, or jerky movements can trigger short-term severe pain in the sacral area.
• ◉ Morning stiffness: After lying down for a longer time, the SI joint may feel blocked or restricted until the muscles are warmed up.
• ◉ Gait unsteadiness or slight instability: Due to muscular imbalances or blocked motion in the SI joint, stability while walking may be reduced.
• ◉ Abnormal sensations: With longer-standing blockages, tingling or a “falling asleep” feeling in the buttocks or legs may occur.
• ◉ Sensitivity to pressure: Touch or pressure on the sacrum or buttocks can intensify pain.
• ◉ Pain when lifting loads: Sudden strain or heavy lifting often leads to acute SI joint blockage pain.
• ◉ Increased complaints with fatigue: After prolonged walking, standing, or sports activity, pain in the sacroiliac joint often increases.
• ◉ Restricted trunk rotation: Rotational movements of the upper body are painful or only possible to a limited extent.

These symptoms of SI joint blockage often result from improperly loaded joints, muscular imbalances, lack of movement, or one-sided loads in everyday life. While acute symptoms may occur in the short term, chronic SI joint blockages can lead to persistent pain and restricted movement. Early measures, targeted movement, and muscle activation can help release the blockage in the sacroiliac joint and relieve SI joint pain.

Conventional therapies – What helps with SI joint blockage

There are various approaches to treating SI joint blockage, which can be combined individually. A medical evaluation is recommended to choose the appropriate therapy. Typical conventional forms of therapy for sacroiliac joint blockage include:

• ◉ Physiotherapy: Targeted exercises promote SI joint mobility, stabilize the core and pelvic muscles, and reduce the likelihood of recurrent SI joint blockage.
• ◉ Medical training therapy (MTT): Building strength, endurance, and stability strengthens the muscles around the sacroiliac joint and relieves the SI joint in the long term.
• ◉ Manual therapy / chiropractic therapy: Gentle mobilizations or manipulations release muscular tension and improve the mobility of the blocked SI joint.
• ◉ Occupational therapy / posture training: Adjusting everyday movements, back-friendly sitting, lifting, and walking help avoid improper loading of the SI joint.
• ◉ Pain therapy / psychosomatic support: Chronic SI joint pain can be mentally stressful; multimodal programs combine physical and mental approaches.
• ◉ Pain medication: Anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medications such as ibuprofen or diclofenac can relieve SI joint pain and local inflammation. In cases of more severe complaints, muscle relaxants or cortisone may be used.
• ◉ Orthopedic aids: Insoles, braces, or orthopedic mattresses support body alignment, relieve the SI joint, and correct misalignments or muscular imbalances.
• ◉ Heat or cold therapy: Heat relaxes tense muscles around the SI joint; cold relieves acute pain and reduces inflammation.
• ◉ Targeted movement breaks: Short-term relief of the SI joint combined with active warming up or stretching prevents chronicity of the sacroiliac joint blockage.
• ◉ Back school / prevention programs: Back schools promote correct movement in everyday life and strengthen the muscles that stabilize the SI joint.
• ◉ Weight reduction: Excess weight increases the load on the SI joint; reducing body weight relieves the joint and decreases SI joint pain.
• ◉ Fascia therapy / stretching: Adhered or tense fascia in the pelvic and back area can intensify SI joint blockage. Targeted stretching and mobilization exercises improve joint mobility.
• ◉ Stabilization exercises: Strengthening deep back, abdominal, and pelvic muscles supports SI joint stability and prevents recurring blockages.
• ◉ Surgical interventions (rare): Only in cases of severe, persistent pain or neurological deficits may surgery be necessary to relieve pressure on the nerves.

Many of these measures relieve acute SI joint pain but do not eliminate the causes that arise from lack of exercise, a sedentary lifestyle, hard, flat floors, or rigid, supportive shoes. The kybun mechanism of action can complement this: Gentle, springy walking on resilient surfaces activates the SI joint, muscles, and fascia, restores natural movement, and sustainably relieves sacroiliac joint blockage. This not only reduces pain but also addresses the cause.

kybun mechanism of action – What helps with SI joint blockage

kybun products aim to minimize the harmful health effects of hard, flat floors, rigid shoes, lack of movement, and a sedentary lifestyle. Thanks to the elastic, springy properties of kybun products, the musculoskeletal system is both relieved and activated. The relief reduces the force acting on the SI joint, eases SI joint pain, and facilitates natural movement. At the same time, muscles, fascia, and connective tissue around the sacroiliac joint are activated, body alignment is stabilized, and muscular imbalances are balanced out. This can reduce the development of recurring SI joint blockages and relieve existing complaints in the long term.

• ◉ Encouraging movement and reducing sedentary behavior

  Regular movement is crucial for preventing and relieving SI joint blockages. The elastic, springy material of kybun products encourages you to stand up more often, move, and interrupt long static sitting phases. The gentle, springy movements not only activate the core and pelvic muscles, but also directly relieve the SI joint by reducing impact forces during standing and walking. At the same time, enjoyment of movement is promoted, creating a positive cycle: Those who walk and stand more strengthen stabilizing muscles and improve sacroiliac joint mobility, which in turn helps prevent SI joint blockages. In addition, poor posture caused by prolonged sitting is automatically corrected because the muscles must work actively to maintain balance on the springy surface.
  

• ◉ Activating and strengthening muscles through elastic-springy properties

  When walking and standing on an elastic, springy surface, muscles in the foot, leg, pelvis, and core must continuously perform small compensatory movements to ensure stability. This reflex-like, continuous activation especially trains the deep muscles, which are crucial for stabilizing the SI joint. At the same time, intermuscular coordination is promoted—i.e., the interplay between muscle groups—which improves movement quality and helps prevent blockages.

Balance and EMG

Balance ability was measured using a force plate by tracking the movement of the body’s center of gravity from front to back (ant-post) and side to side (med-lat) while standing. In parallel, electromyography (EMG) recorded muscular activity.

Activating the foot muscles stabilizes the arch, improves shock absorption, and optimizes force transfer to the hips and pelvis. This relieves the SI joint, balances muscular imbalances, and can reduce pain.

• ◉ Reducing force impact from hard, flat floors through cushioning

  Hard, flat floors transmit impact forces with every step via the feet, knees, hips, and pelvis directly to the SI joint. kybun products act like a shock absorber: the elastic, springy material absorbs part of the acting forces and reduces peak loads on the sacroiliac joint. Cushioning gently relieves the joints, reduces stress on surrounding muscles and fascia, and eases SI joint pain. At the same time, the material releases the absorbed energy in a controlled manner for the roll-off movement, creating an active and natural gait.

• ◉ Natural foot roll thanks to muscle activation and roll-off function

  kybun products promote the natural roll-off movement of the foot and prevent harmful movement patterns such as uncontrolled foot slap after heel strike. By allowing the heel to sink slowly into the elastic, springy material, the muscles have more time to tense and control the roll-off. This optimally integrates the arch, knees, hips, pelvis, and the SI joint into the movement. Even distribution of forces across the musculoskeletal system reduces strain on the sacroiliac joint, improves posture, and helps prevent misalignments. Active roll-off from the heels via the big toe joint uses all joints through the maximum possible range of motion, which leads to better upper-body rotation and relief of the SI joint. This also helps improve blood circulation in the sacroiliac region, supporting soft-tissue regeneration and reducing blockages.

• ◉ Promoting blood circulation through higher movement activity

  Increased movement activity on kybun products activates muscles throughout the pelvic and back area, improves blood circulation in soft tissues, and supports the supply to the SI joint. Good blood flow is crucial because nutrients and oxygen promote regeneration of muscles, fascia, and connective tissue. At the same time, removal of metabolic waste products is improved, which can reduce inflammatory processes and help release SI joint blockages. In the long term, this improved supply helps increase sacroiliac joint stability and sustainably relieve pain.
  

• ◉ Care and protection of the fascia

  Fascia surrounds muscles, connective tissue, and joints and plays a key role in SI joint stability. Lack of movement, prolonged sitting, or one-sided loading leads to adhesions, tension, and loss of elasticity. Walking on the elastic, springy surface activates the fascia, promotes circulation, improves fluid exchange, and supports removal of waste products. This releases tension, improves mobility, and reduces improper loading in the sacroiliac region. Healthy fascia stabilizes the SI joint, distributes pressure evenly, and thus contributes to relieving SI joint pain.
  

• ◉ Optimized pressure distribution

  The elastic, springy material of kybun products envelops the entire sole of the foot and thus distributes body weight evenly across the feet. Peak loads are reduced, relieving the SI joint and adjacent structures. At the same time, the slight, constant movement on the elastic, springy surface creates a larger load-bearing area, preventing localized overload. This protects against recurring SI joint blockage, supports regeneration, and has a preventive effect against pain and poor posture.

Application tips for SI joint blockage

Before wearing kybun shoes for the first time, you should consider a few application tips. Correct use can help relieve SI joint pain and improve stability in the sacroiliac joint. Targeted SI joint therapy should still be carried out in addition, in order to permanently release the sacroiliac joint blockage and strengthen the muscles around the SI joint.

• ◉ At the beginning, wear kybun shoes only for as long as your body allows. Take short breaks if SI joint pain increases or if fatigue of the musculoskeletal system occurs. Due to the activating properties of kybun products, the deep muscles are activated, which can initially lead to so-called initial reactions—mild tension or sore muscles are normal and a sign that the muscles are working.
  
• ◉ With SI joint blockage, it is especially important to avoid prolonged sitting, as this is when pressure on the sacroiliac joint is highest. Likewise, movements that additionally strain the SI joint—such as extreme bending, twisting, or lateral tilting of the torso—should be performed cautiously. Active walking and standing promote blood flow, relieve the SI joint, and strengthen muscles.
  
• ◉ When stepping down, actively press the heel into the elastic, springy material and feel the cushioning properties of kybun shoes. Cushioning reduces the impacts that act via the pelvis and SI joint on the back and thus supports relieving the blocked joint.
  
• ◉ Try to roll off as actively as possible over the forefoot. This promotes a natural movement chain, activates the foot and pelvic muscles, and creates gentle rotational movements in the sacrum that help release SI joint blockages and reduce tension.
  
• ◉ Vary your walking speed, e.g., with short phases of faster jogging. This increases rotation in the pelvic area and activates core muscles. Improved movement control can relieve SI joint pain and increase mobility.
  
• ◉ Support the effects of kybun shoes with targeted exercises aimed at the SI joint and surrounding muscles. These exercises serve as complementary SI joint therapy to sustainably release blockages, improve mobility, and promote sacroiliac joint stability.

Helpful exercises for SI joint blockage

To enhance the effectiveness of kybun shoes in the case of sacroiliac joint blockage and relieve complaints around the sacroiliac joint, we recommend the following exercises. The selection is not exhaustive and can be supplemented with additional SI joint therapies. The general rule for all exercises is: Pain around the SI joint must not increase. Mild, pleasant tension or a stretching sensation is desirable, but pain peaks should be avoided.
The exercises can be divided into the following areas: “Correct walking in kybun shoes,” “muscle length training,” “fascia training,” and “strengthening.” Ideally, these exercises are used as complementary SI joint therapy to release blockages and promote SI joint stability.

Correct walking in kybun shoes

The quality of each step is crucial when treating SI joint blockage. kybun shoes help release sacroiliac joint blockage, relieve the SI joint, and reduce mis- and overload.

Active heel strike

• ◉ Press the heel consciously deep into the elastic, springy material to use the cushioning of the kybun sole.
• ◉ Keep the foot controlled so that it does not tip inward or outward.
• ◉ Place the midfoot and forefoot down in a controlled way to reduce force impact on the pelvis, sacrum, and SI joint.

Active foot roll-off

• ◉ Roll off actively over the forefoot and use the maximum range of motion.
• ◉ This movement is physiologically transferred via the pelvis to the SI region, promotes gentle rotation, and supports releasing the SI joint blockage.

Muscle length training

Targeted stretching exercises help release shortening and tension around the pelvis, hips, and lower back—key factors in SI joint blockage.

Hip opener

• ◉ Starting position in a quadruped stance.
• ◉ Place the left foot forward next to the arms.
• ◉ Extend the right leg back and place the foot flat. Make sure hips and spine are aligned.
• ◉ To intensify the stretch, press the hips forward and down. Depending on individual mobility
• ◉ Perform 1–2× daily.
• ◉ Hold the exercise 3 × 30 seconds.

Front thigh muscles

• ◉ From standing, grasp the top of the left foot with the left hand. For balance, you can hold onto a stable object with the right hand.
• ◉ Left thigh is parallel to the standing leg.
• ◉ Straight back.
• ◉ Press the pelvis slightly forward to intensify the stretch in the thigh.
• ◉ Pull the heel toward the buttocks so that the knee points downward. The closer the heel is pulled to the buttocks, the stronger the stretch.
• ◉ Perform 1–2× daily.
• ◉ Hold the exercise 3 × 30 seconds.

Fascia training

Fascia training supports relaxation and mobilization of the myofascial structures around the SI joint. Regular rolling can release tension and promote mobility.

Gluteal muscles

• ◉ Bend both legs and roll out the corresponding half of the buttocks with the fascia ball. Increase pressure by placing the leg on one side. If wrist pain occurs, the exercise can also be performed on the forearms.
• ◉ Perform the exercise slowly and in a controlled manner.
• ◉ Adjust pressure to personal comfort, but work up to a tolerable pain threshold.
• ◉ Roll out localized adhesions more intensively or hold the position at that point.
• ◉ 3 minutes per side.
• ◉ Perform 1–2× daily.

Front thigh muscles

• ◉ Starting position lying on the stomach.
• ◉ Place the large roller under the thigh of the straight leg. Place the other leg bent to control movement.
• ◉ Actively roll out the front thigh from the hip to just above the knee.
• ◉ Perform exercises slowly and in a controlled manner. Adjust pressure to personal comfort, but work up to a tolerable pain threshold.
• ◉ Roll out localized adhesions more intensively or hold the position at that point.
• ◉ 3 minutes per side.
• ◉ Perform 1–2× daily.

Strengthening

Strengthening exercises stabilize the pelvis and core muscles, relieve the SI joint, and support healing of SI joint blockage.

Quadruped

• ◉ Starting position in a quadruped stance.
• ◉ Place hands shoulder-width under the shoulders; knees hip-width under the pelvis.
• ◉ Extend the right leg back and the left arm forward.
• ◉ Keep the back straight and stable.
• ◉ Then bring the right leg and left arm together and extend again.
• ◉ 3 sets of 8–12 repetitions.
• ◉ Perform 2–3× weekly.

Bridge

• ◉ Starting position: lying on your back with knees bent (hip-width). Arms are extended shoulder-width toward the feet.
• ◉ Lift the hips actively off the floor and move toward the ceiling (hips should be fully extended at the top of the movement).
• ◉ Hold the top position for 4 seconds.
• ◉ Make sure the power comes from the glutes (not from the heels or the hamstrings).
• ◉ Lower the hips slowly again without letting the buttocks touch the floor.
• ◉ 3 sets of 8–12 repetitions.
• ◉ Perform 2–3× weekly.