Can back pain caused by symptom-giving sacroiliac joint relaxation ...

3.4.1. General osteopathic SIJ tests
Mobility testing of the pelvis with the Michaelis Rhombus (Diamond test)
The Diamond test is used to assess the mobility of the SIJ in relation to the mobility
of the lower lumbar spine and the hip. It provides information as to which structures
influence the mobility of the SIJ. [39]
A rhombus is drawn on the sacrum with a skin safe pen:
the upper tip is on L5, the two lateral tips are on both
posterior superior iliac spines (PSIS), and the lower tip
is on the sacral hiatus (S5). (fig. 3B)
The woman now goes into the squatting position; the
heels have to stay on the ground. The osteopath now
observes closely how this diamond changed. (Fig. 3C)
The following results are important especially for the
Fig. 3B: Rhomboid drawing osteopathic treatment [39]:
o The upper part of the diamond is too flat: L5
might be in extension and hypomobile.
o The heel position cannot be performed: the thoracolumbar fascia pulls too
strong.
o The distance between L5 and PSIS does not widen in squatting: the iliolumbar
ligaments are too short.
o The lower tip of the diamond is too long: the
sacrum is in counternutation.
o The horizontal line becomes oblique: the sacrum
is in torsion.
o The lower tip of the rhombus deviates to one
direction: there is a dysfunction in the hip.
o The upper tip is very high: L5 might be
hypermobile.
In order to assess the mobility of the SIJ, I measured the
distance between both PSIS (indicates the mobility of
Fig. 3C: Rhomboid squatting the SIJs) and the distance between L5 and S5 (indicates
the mobility of the lower lumbar spine and the hip). In the course of pregnancy the
Master’s Thesis Wolfgang Aspalter 39