Question
Every few weeks or so for the last couple decades I've had moderate pain and tightness in my lower back (can be right or left side, but mostly right side), often including what feels like sciatic pain in my buttock.  I've noticed no specific trigger for this discomfort.  From the research I've done the location of the pain seems to correspond with SI joint issues, but I'm not certain of this.

I've discovered over the years that if I sit on the edge of a firm chair, lean back on my arms so my body is fairly straight, cross one straightened leg over the other, and roll or tilt my pelvis forward (basically stretching) I will feel and hear a pop low in my lower back/pelvis and the pain is instantly relieved.  I can also do this while lying in bed, and often do so when I first wake up whether I feel discomfort or not, as it's a very pleasant sensation.  Am I "popping" my SI joints, my hip joints, my spine, or something else?  Can this cause any kind of long-term damage?

Background:  I'm female, 36 years old, healthy and active with no back problems in general. The only possible contributing issues I can think of might be when I got bucked off a horse as a teenager and really hurt my tailbone (never saw a doctor but always suspected I broke something), or when I broke the growth plate in my left ankle when I was 10 -- though there's no obvious evidence that my legs are different lengths.

Thank you in advance.

Answer
Hi Jennifer,

It's quite possible your are gapping your SI joints and it makes noise.   So long as it's not painful, there's nothing bad about it.   However, there is a chance you have a mechanical problem with some of the joints or soft tissues (muscles, fascia) that are causing you to have the discomfort and periodic symptoms.   This may be causing you to twist like you do to get that alleviating pop.    This is a habit that is often shared by younger folks verses older folks, and there's no data I've seen to deem it harmful.    But the constant feeling that you have to self pop your joints (SI's or others) is a sign that something is constantly sending your brain a signal that causes you to take action.  This we often see in people, often kids/teens, who "crack" their own necks, sometimes constantly all day.  These kids always have neck discomfort and often have headaches.   The self cracking is the brain's way of saying, "Do something!" while it commands the arms to twist the neck, or in your case cross legs and pelvic-tilt to get a stimulating "pop."        A fall on the butt that is significant enough can lead to scar tissue that binds and alters normal joint motion.    You should find a DC who has training in Graston Technique and/or FAKTR (.com's).  

'Hope this was helpful.

Dr. G'