SupremeOne-sided pain at the base of your spine?
You can point to it with one finger, just beside the dimple at the bottom of your back. Rolling over in bed, getting out of the car or standing on one leg to put your socks on sets it off. The SI joint barely moves, so it doesn't take much to irritate it.
Nick Monczakowski 4.9 from 74 Google reviews · 13+ years
A tiny joint. Big forces.
It barely moves.
The SI joint is built for stability, not movement. A little too much or too little on one side and it gets sore.
Muscles pull it unevenly.
Tight glutes, hip flexors or lower back muscles on one side twist the pelvis slightly. The joint takes the strain.
Your glutes stop helping.
Strong glutes help hold the pelvis steady. When they switch off, the joint loses its support.
One side does all the work.
The SI joint links your spine to your pelvis. When one side of your body works harder than the other, this is often where it shows up.
Carrying on one hip
A child, a bag or a laptop on the same side every day.
Standing on one leg
Shifting your weight onto your favourite side while you wait.
Crossing your legs
Always the same leg on top.
One-sided sports
Golf, tennis, cricket and kicking all twist through the pelvis one way.
Driving
One foot working the pedals, the other doing nothing, for hours.
A slip or a jolt
Missing a step or landing heavily on one leg can set it off.
Balance the pelvis. Ease the joint.
Glutes & piriformis
Release of the muscles gripping the back of the pelvis.
Hip flexors
A tight psoas or quad on one side pulls the pelvis forward unevenly.
Lower back & QL
The muscles beside the lower spine that hitch the pelvis up on one side.
RockTape taping
Taping can give the area extra support between sessions if it helps.
Back on track. In their words.
“Being a nurse has put a strain on my back through the years. Nick has the gift of touch and "sixth sense."”
Jerry · Nurse“Nick has been absolutely brilliant at dealing with my many aches and pains that I've been suffering for years.”
Darius · Feet to neck“I've had a back injury and I've seen changes within few sessions. Big help!”
Zuzana · Back injurySI joint myths. Busted.
“My hip is out of place.”
Tap to flip →It's rarely out of place. It's usually irritated by muscles pulling unevenly. Ease those and the pain settles.
“I need it clicked back in.”
Tap to flip →That click can feel good for a moment. It doesn't change what's pulling on the joint.
“I should rest until it stops.”
Tap to flip →Gentle movement usually helps more than rest. Nick will show you what's fine to keep doing.
One hour. A steadier base.
- 01
Talk
When it started, which movements set it off and your daily habits.
- 02
Assess
Hands-on assessment of the pelvis, glutes, hips and lower back on both sides.
- 03
Treat
Release of the tight side so the pelvis can sit evenly again.
- 04
Plan
Simple glute exercises and small habit changes to keep it settled.
Before you book for SI joint pain.
Can sports massage help SI joint pain?
Yes. Most SI joint pain comes from muscles pulling unevenly on the pelvis. Releasing the glutes, hip flexors and lower back on the tight side and getting the glutes working again usually eases it well.
What does SI joint pain feel like?
Usually a one-sided ache just beside the base of the spine that you can point to with a finger. It can spread into the buttock or groin and often hurts rolling over in bed, on stairs or standing on one leg.
Is SI joint pain the same as lower back pain?
It's in a similar area but it's a different structure. SI pain sits lower and to one side. The two often travel together, which is why Nick assesses the whole area.
How many sessions will I need?
Most people improve clearly within 3 to 4 sessions with simple glute exercises at home.
Where is the practice?
Beverley Road, New Malden KT3 4AW. About a 10-minute walk from New Malden station with free street parking nearby. Open Monday to Friday, 11am to 7pm.
When to see your GP first
Call 999 or go to A&E straight away if you have numbness around your bottom or genitals, problems peeing or controlling your bowels, or weakness in both legs.
Call NHS 111 or see your GP before booking if you have pain at the base of the spine with any of these:
- Pain after a fall or accident
- Pain with a fever, or feeling generally unwell
- Morning stiffness lasting over half an hour that eases as you move, especially if you're under 40
- Pain that's worse at night and doesn't ease with rest
Not sure? WhatsApp Nick a quick description first. If massage isn't the right first step, he'll tell you before you book.
The base of the spine has company.
Roll over in bed without wincing.
- £80 first session, assessment included
- Mon–Fri 11am–7pm
- Near New Malden station · free street parking
- Personal reply from Nick, usually same day
“The best massage person I've ever been too - more like a physio.”