The PSIS is not just a bony landmark.
For orthopaedic professionals, it can be one of the first reference points when looking at how the pelvis is moving, compensating, or protecting itself.
When palpated correctly, the Posterior Superior Iliac Spine may help clinicians compare both sides for:
Local tenderness Pelvic asymmetry SIJ involvement Movement restriction patterns Possible contributors to low back or pelvic pain
But the key is this:
Palpation is not about guessing. It is about using your hands to support better clinical reasoning.
Because sometimes the structure is not the full story.
The nervous system, inflammation, compensation patterns, lymphatic flow, and biochemical stress may all influence what a clinician feels during assessment.
This is why ANF Education teaches therapists to look beyond symptoms and explore the body through a neurological, biochemical, and functional lens . Want to learn how ANF Therapy® approaches orthopaedic assessment? Message us