The Painful Triangle: How Sacrum Dysfunction Drives Low Back and Pelvic Pain

Do you suffer from chronic lower back pain or pain that radiates down into your buttocks? If you do, you may be a victim of the Painful Triangle.

In this post, I explain how that triangular bone at the base of your spine – the sacrum – can cause you real pain. And, I suggest what you might do to relieve pain.

When your sacrum is working well, things are fine. When it’s not, you’re likely to suffer pain because of significant strain on the lumbar spine and a variety of issues that impact both the lower back and pelvis. Here’s how it works in your body.

The sacrum is a triangular bone at the base of the spine, which plays a critical role in connecting the spine to the pelvis so that it anchors the body’s core stability while facilitating movement. When there is sacrum dysfunction, it leads to painful problems which can be relieved by osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT).

Symptoms of Sacrum Dysfunction

If you have sacrum dysfunction, you may experience a variety of symptoms, including:

1) Chronic Lower Back Pain

Due to the added strain on the lumbar spine and surrounding ligaments.

2) Pelvic Pain and Instability

Often related to muscular imbalances that impact posture and movement.

3) Limited Range of Motion

Stiffness in the hips and lower back due to compensatory muscle tightening.

4) Radiating Pain

Pain may extend down into the buttocks, mimicking sciatica.

Here’s a bit more insight into why you have pain and what you can do about it.

Lumbar Discs and Chronic Low Back Pain

The sacrum acts as the keystone between the spine and pelvis, creating a stable foundation for the upper body. When it is misaligned or functioning improperly, the structure of the lumbar spine is impacted.

This misalignment can create excessive strain on the lumbar discs, which serve as cushions between each vertebra. Over time, this strain can cause disc degeneration, increased pressure on the spinal nerves, and chronic low back pain.

Pelvic Pain Radiating Beyond The Lower Back

Due to its close anatomical relationship with the pelvis, a dysfunctional sacrum often creates pain that radiates beyond the lower back. When the sacrum is off-balance, it can lead to instability in the pelvic region, straining surrounding muscles, ligaments, and tendons. This can create pelvic pain, discomfort in the gluteal muscles, and even impact pelvic floor function, which is essential for core stability.

If you are suffering this kind of pain or if you find your range of motion limited, Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) can often help.

How OMT Diagnoses Sacrum Dysfunction

Through a careful physical examination, an Osteopathic physician assesses the sacrum’s positioning and range of motion, checking for asymmetries or restrictions in movement. This helps identify specific dysfunctions, whether they stem from joint misalignment, muscle imbalances, or ligament strain. Once the cause of the problem is identified, the Osteopath can start treatment.

How OMT May Help Relieve the Pain – By Treating Sacrum Dysfunction

1) Realigning the Sacrum and Lumbar Spine

Targeted manipulations gently adjust the sacrum, allowing it to settle into proper alignment. This helps relieve strain on the lumbar discs and surrounding tissues.

2) Releasing Muscle Tension

OMT techniques focus on releasing tightness in muscles surrounding the sacrum, including the glutes, pelvic floor, and hip flexors. This alleviates pelvic pain and improves overall range of motion.

3) Improving Pelvic Stability

Through OMT, the pelvic region regains stability as the sacrum is guided into alignment. This process helps restore the body’s natural balance, reducing the likelihood of recurring pain.

4) Enhancing Proprioception and Neuromuscular Function

By guiding the body back into proper alignment, OMT helps the nervous system relearn efficient movement patterns, reducing the risk of future strain on the sacrum and lumbar spine.

One or more of these treatments often provides lasting relief from pain and discomfort.

This article and www.360osteo.com do NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. This information is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, and those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here or on 360osteo.com. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. No physician-patient relationship is created by this article or its use. Neither New York Osteopathic Medicine P.C. nor its employees, nor any contributor to this website, makes any representations, express or implied, with respect to the information provided herein or to its use.

REVISED FEB. 26, 2025