Pain, symmetry, and theories aside, in practice,
our clients consistently report feeling freer and more
comfortable after receiving the Ilia Rotation Technique
described here. Whether this is due to more even SIJ
motion or to proprioceptive changes is hard to say. But
your clients will appreciate the relief and freedom they
typically feel after this subtle but potent technique.
Check out the video that goes with this article, give this
technique a try, and let me know how it goes.
Special thanks to Richard DonTigny, PT, and to Anatomy
Standard for their kind assistance with this column's
illustrations.
Notes
1. For more about the different opinions on SIJ movement ranges
and their clinical significance, check out Episode 3 of the
Thinking Practitioner podcast, "Sacroiliac Joint Pain: Causes,
Controversies, and Considerations," and "Working with the Ilia"
in Massage & Bodywork, January/February 2013, page 114.
2. L. Damen et al., "The Prognostic Value of Asymmetric Laxity of the
Sacroiliac Joints in Pregnancy-Related Pelvic Pain," Spine 27, no.
24 (2002): 2,820–4.
L i s te n to T h e A B M P Po d c a s t a t a b m p.co m /p o d c a s t s o r w h e reve r yo u a cce s s yo u r favo r i te p o d c a s t s 37
TECHNIQUE
VIDEO: "ILIA ROTATION
TECHNIQUES"
1. Open your camera
2. Scan the code
3. Tap on notification
4. Watch!
3. DonTigny, Richard, "The DonTigny Dynamic Core Stabilization
Program," www.researchgate.net/publication/328560079_The_
DonTigny_Dynamic_Core_Stabilization_Program, accessed June
2022.
Til Luchau is the author of Advanced Myofascial
Techniques (Handspring Publishing), a Certified
Advanced Rolfer, and a member of the Advanced-
Trainings.com faculty, which offers online learning
and in-person seminars throughout the United States
and abroad. He and Whitney Lowe cohost the ABMP-
sponsored Thinking Practitioner podcast. He invites
questions or comments via info@advanced-trainings.
com and Advanced-Trainings.com's Facebook page.
Self-care for the SI joint: "Walking" the ischial tuberosities forward and back on a chair can help mobilize, hydrate,
and desensitize the SI joints by rotating the ilia around the sacrum. Image redrawn and used with permission from
RL DonTigny, 2018.
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