Efficacy of Dry Needling for Releasing the Sacrotuberous Ligament in Patients With Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunctions

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is a common source of low back and pelvic pain, often caused by improper load transfer through the pelvis. The sacrotuberous ligament stabilises the sacroiliac joint by limiting sacral nutation and supporting posterior pelvic structures. The sacroiliac joint connects the sacrum to the ischial tuberosity and integrates with muscles like the gluteus maximus and biceps femoris. Tightness, dysfunction, or pain in the sacrotuberous ligament can exacerbate sacroiliac joint dysfunction by altering mechanics. Dry needling is increasingly used for myofascial pain and muscle dysfunction. Applying dry needling to release ligamentous structures is novel and may improve the biomechanics of the sacroiliac joint by alleviating tension in the sacrotuberous ligament. The aim of the study is to investigate the efficacy of dry needling for releasing the sacrotuberous ligament in patients with sacroiliac joint dysfunctions on pain intensity, functional disability, and biomechanical changes, along with routine physical therapy compared to sham dry needling and routine physical therapy.