My Sacroiliitis Journey: From Debilitating Pain to Thriving Again

For as long as I can remember, I have been a dancer and a musical theatre performer. Movement was my life. But at 23, everything changed. After undergoing an appendectomy via laparoscopy, I started experiencing a sudden, sharp pain shooting from my lower back down my leg during a yoga class. It was so severe that I had to remain in Child’s Pose for the rest of the session, barely able to roll up my mat and hobble out of the studio.

I assumed I had simply tweaked something and that the pain would fade. But it didn’t. Walking became difficult, and I began seeking treatment—chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, massage therapy—anything that might offer relief. An MRI showed nothing abnormal, and I was diagnosed with sciatica. Yet, nothing relieved the pain.

At the time, I was a dance major at Santa Monica College, and suddenly, I couldn’t participate in classes. Occasionally, the pain would ease, and I’d seize the opportunity to audition. About a year into my symptoms, I landed a national tour as a dancer with My Little Pony Live. I was terrified the pain would return, so I kept prescription painkillers on hand. But strangely, as soon as rehearsals began, the pain completely disappeared. For over two years of touring, I was pain-free—until it came back with a vengeance right before my next tour with Sesame Street Live.

In the two months between contracts, I desperately sought answers, but nothing helped. One night, while staying at my parents’ house, the pain was so intense I couldn’t even roll over to grab the Advil on my nightstand. I had to scream for help. I was devastated, knowing I had no choice but to drop out of the tour.

I went back to college in NY while I continued my search for answers. After another year of chiropractic care, acupressure, physical therapy, and pain management, a second MRI finally revealed severe inflammation in both sacroiliac joints. At last, I had a diagnosis: Sacroiliitis.

With this diagnosis came the recommendation for cortisone shots. The first injection gave me complete relief for the first time in years. I returned to dance classes, feeling like myself again. But within six months, the pain returned. A second shot lasted only four months, and a third barely worked. My doctor told me I was no longer a candidate for cortisone injections and that I’d likely have to rely on medication for the rest of my life. I was also advised to stop dancing, running, or jumping—forever.

The thought of giving up movement devastated me. I fell into a deep depression. I still felt healthy, but I was in constant pain. I couldn’t accept a future reliant on medication with debilitating side effects. So, I stopped seeing doctors and started doing my own research.

A Holistic Approach: Healing Through Diet and Movement
I kept asking myself: If I have inflammation, could an anti-inflammatory diet help?
I began diving into books, YouTube videos, and documentaries. Influences like Dr. Mark Hyman, Dr. Andrew Weil, Dr. Terry Wahls, and even Tony Robbins’ Living Health guided me. Slowly, I made small changes: eliminating gluten, refined sugar, alcohol, and chemicals while adding more leafy greens and anti-inflammatory supplements.

During this time, I discovered aerial silks. This was a turning point. Aerial allowed me to dance again without the harsh impact on my sacrum. I also noticed that the hanging motions provided relief. As I progressed, I became interested in flexibility training, particularly core and pelvic strengthening.

Pilates-style butt and thigh exercises became a game-changer. Strengthening the muscles around my sacrum provided much-needed support, reducing flare-ups. Over time, I noticed a dramatic shift.

Now, at 45, more than 20 years after my first flare-up, I feel better than ever. I’m not perfect—indulging in inflammatory foods can trigger discomfort—but I haven’t experienced pain severe enough to leave me immobile in years.

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Final Thoughts
I also do Pilates-style strength training 3-4 times a week—Bailey Brown’s YouTube workouts are my favorite. Maintaining a mostly anti-inflammatory diet has been crucial to my recovery.

Another lesson I’ve learned is that stress plays a significant role in my flare-ups too. When I am overly stressed, my body tenses up, and the pain can return. Over the years, I have worked on not just managing my physical health but also reducing stress through meditation, breath work, and prioritizing a balanced lifestyle. Taking time for self-care, surrounding myself with supportive people, and making sure I don't overwork myself has been just as important as my diet and exercise routine.

I also maintain a mostly anti-inflammatory diet. If you’re interested in what I eat, you can watch the video below!

For anyone struggling with chronic pain, know that there is hope. You don’t have to accept a future of endless pain management. With the right combination of diet, movement, and mindset, you can find relief.

If you have any questions or want to share your journey, I’d love to hear from you in the comments!