si joint dysfuntion

this is to anyone listening. about 6 years ago i started noticing back pain that was worse when if woke up in the morning. because i am a very high strung, stressful person, my dr told me that my muscles do not relax when i sleep. never did make sense to me because i take xanax and norflex at night when i sleep. after a few years i started noticing severe pain in my left lower back. the pain started migrating to my buttocks and thighs. it started out like a feeling you have after being spanked with a paddle. you know that burning sensation? all the way to the mid lower thighs. i have went to physical therapy twice with great relief. being diagnosed with si joint pain, but, it keeps coming back. i have done all the exercises during therapy. nobody has ever told me that i would have to do these for the rest of my life. when the pain first starts i have trouble recognizing what it is. it never starts out the same. i experience low back pain at first and then i feel this horrible pain in my buttocks. the pain runs all the way down the back of my thighs. it makes me not want to sit down at all. i stand and watch tv a lot because if i sit the pain exacerbates even worse through my buttocks and upper thighs and groin. it even hurts around my vaginal area. i am becoming very depressed thinking this is what the rest of my life has in store for me. i am terrified of injections in my back, which is sad to say because i am a nurse. i don't know how all this began. i can't remember any real trauma. i do a lot of heavy lifting and bending over. i am 45 years old but i feel at least 65. is injections and surgery the only option i have for a permanent recovery? i have a lifetime to live. i love to hike and travel. but this pain seriously makes me think twice about doing any of my favorite hobbies.

Hi ignored. I too was 'terrified of injections in my back' but when the pain became unbearable I got my first 'set'. The pain was better immediately and after 3 days it was gone! I was blessed in that they lasted for about a year. The pain came back with a vengeance. This time, they injected both sides of my spine instead of just one side. Same relief, same length of time. I'm due to go back again but trying to schedule it around my most active 'season'. I'm also looking into if there is anything more 'permanent' I can do.

Have you tried a tens unit? Massage? For me, massage is only temporary but it does help some. I was supposed to get a tens unit but the person that was to 'fit' me for it and show me how to use it never contacted me after the first phone call. Have to get back to the doctor to find out what's up with that!

thank you so much for your attention to my misery. i had to leave work early today because my back and thighs hurt so bad when walking. that is something new for me. i used to get more relief from walking because like i mentioned, sitting just hurt too bad. i stopped by my previous physical therapist after work and asked for a quick fix. he adjusted me back into place quickly. i have tried the electrical stimulation in the past, along with heat and ice. but like i said, i always finish my pt sessions feeling good and then it seems to start all over again after a few months. i have decided to try a chiropractor. i have an appt in a few days. i am also going to see my primary md that same day and ask about all my options. its just really hard to convince some dr's how bad you hurt when your back x ray looks good. i do want to discuss the option of wearing a belt. i feel this needs to be tried. i am not so totally against the injections. i just feel like i am tired of trying to mask the problem with a medication. i really want my life back without back pain and at this point ready to try anything. surgery is for sure the very last option for me. does anybody have an opinion on which is better? chiropractic care of physical therapy? id really like to know from somebody who has attempted both. thanks again.

Thanks for your response. I will use all the advise wisely.