For Immediate Release:
Local Pain Specialist Highlights Overlooked Cause of Chronic Low Back Pain
~Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction May Be the Missing Piece for Many Patients~
(February 10, 2026 – Reno, Nev.) — For many people living with chronic low back pain, the hardest part isn’t just the pain, it’s not knowing why nothing seems to help. Despite repeated treatments, appointments, and lifestyle changes, relief remains out of reach for some patients because the true source of their pain is often overlooked. While up to 85% of people will experience lower back pain at some point in their lives, clinical research shows that 15–30% of chronic cases may be linked to dysfunction of the sacroiliac (SI) joint, not the lower back itself. When the SI joint isn’t evaluated, patients may spend years treating — and living with — the wrong condition.
“Many patients come to us frustrated and exhausted,” said Dr. Ali Nairizi, an interventional pain management physician with Reno Tahoe Pain Associates. “They’ve tried physical therapy, medications, injections, sometimes even surgery without lasting relief. In some cases, the SI joint turns out to be the missing piece.”
The sacroiliac joint connects the spine to the pelvis and plays a critical role in movement, balance, and stability. When the joint becomes unstable or degenerated due to injury, arthritis, pregnancy, or prior spine surgery, it can cause pain in the lower back, hips, buttocks, groin, or legs. Patients often report difficulty sitting, standing, walking, sleeping, or enjoying everyday activities.
Because SI joint pain can closely mimic disc or nerve-related back or hip pain, it is frequently misdiagnosed. Proper evaluation includes detailed medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic testing to confirm the SI joint as the source of pain.
While many patients find relief with conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medications, or injections, some continue to experience persistent pain that interferes with daily life.
For patients who no longer respond to conservative care, minimally invasive SI joint fusion may be an option, said Dr. Nairizi. One such approach uses the iFuse TORQ Implant System®, developed by SI-BONE, which is designed to stabilize and fuse the sacroiliac joint using small, 3D-printed titanium implants placed across the joint.
For one local patient, proper diagnosis and treatment made all the difference.
“After years of being treated for lower back pain with little success, Dr. Nairizi identified the sacroiliac joint as the real source of the problem,” said Diana, a local patient who underwent minimally invasive SI joint fusion using the iFuse TORQ Implant System®. “Once we addressed the SI joint, I experienced meaningful improvement in my pain and daily function. I can sit, walk, sleep more comfortably and even work in my garden again.”
“Helping patients get back to the activities they enjoy is always the goal,” Dr. Nairizi said. “For patients who haven’t found relief through conservative care, addressing SI joint instability can be life changing.”
SI joint fusion may be considered for select patients as part of an individualized treatment plan. Additional information about SI joint dysfunction and treatment options is available at www.si-bone.com.
Patients experiencing ongoing low back, hip, or pelvic pain are encouraged to speak with their physician about all potential causes.
For more information or to request an appointment with Dr. Nairizi, call 775-384-1127 or visit www.renotahoepain.com.
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Media Contact:
Tiffany East, APR
775-250-8092
