Causes

• Posterior pelvic pain is felt strongest deep within the lower back where the sacroiliac joints (SIJ) are located and can spread through the buttocks and upper thighs. The SIJ are interconnected joints, and they are easily inflamed, weakened and thrown off balance. Many pregnant women experience posterior pelvic pain from stretched muscles and released hormones, but the pain can affect anyone for any number of reasons.
  
  

Physical Therapy

• Physical therapy refers to exercises doctors prescribe to help heal joints and soothe pain. These exercises focus on stabilizing the torso and the pelvic girdle. A sacroiliac belt may be used to add stability to the core while are performed. The belt helps keep the SIJ in their correct place. If there are underlying causes for the dysfunction of movement leading to posterior pelvic pain, a doctor may perform a gentle manipulation of the hip, back or pelvis to readjust joints.
  
  

Muscle Energy Technique

• Muscle energy technique is typically used in osteopathic medicine as a way to treat the loss of range of motion. The main forms of muscle energy technique are reciprocal inhibition and post-isometric relaxation. Reciprocal inhibition relaxes tight muscles, while post-isometric relaxation stretches a muscle that has become unable to respond to stimulation. Osteopathic doctors can give more information and treatments in muscle energy technique.
  
  

Medication

• There are medications you can take to relieve posterior pelvic pain. Oral anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen may help relieve pain. Often, if your pain is severe, doctors will prescribe an anesthetic or steroidal injection into the SIJ. Depending on the dosage, an injection can relieve your pain for one day or much longer.
  
  

At-Home Treatment

• If posterior pelvic pain has recently set in, or is not severe enough to send you to the doctor, there are things you can do at home to relieve pain. Instead of lying on your back in bed, try lying on your side with a pillow between your knees. When you get out of bed, do so by slowly rolling onto your side with knees bent, then lift yourself up with your arm. Sit on the edge of your chair with your knees apart. Also, when you stand, use your arms to balance yourself and keep your back straight. These simple changes to the way you move should help support your SIJ and relieve pain.