Piriformis Syndrome is one of the 4 conditions that can
cause sciatica pain felt all the way down the leg. Research suggests that
approximately 80% percent of Americans suffer from low back pain at some point
in time. 70% to 80% of low back pain is muscle related. Of those with chronic
sciatic pain 1 in 7 are susceptible to Piriformis Syndrome. The sciatic nerve
passes through the piriformis muscle, rather than underneath it, in 15 to 30
percent of the population, which leads to a greater incidence of nerve
entrapment, compression and sciatic nerve irritation leading to Piriformis
Syndrome.
An accurate diagnosis for sciatic pain is essential to
identify serious spine issues, or to establish that the problem lies in the
soft tissue. Soft tissue conditions can be treated with less invasive
treatments like chiropractic, massage, exercise, stress management techniques,
or Prolotherapy. Regular stretching is the best
method for improving flexibility and reducing pain.
Eliminating low back and sciatic pain is a multi-step
process. The successful treatment and complete healing is seldom found on the
first attempt. Low back, or sciatic, pain has roots in Mind/Body/Spirit and
Life-style. A hopeful, step by step, attitude is absolutely essential!
Don’t give up—Become knowledgeable!
Previously, my lumbar/sciatic pain was agony—I had reached
the point where pain was constant. I started by consulting allopathic medicine,
an orthopedic specialist who reviewed my MRI and stated my spine issues were
mild to moderate and not remedial by surgery. It was unbelievable that such
intense pain had no visible cause on the MRI. And it was mentally frustrating
that my quality of life was deteriorating because of inflammation. The surgeon
recommended Pain Management for
inflammation. I tried various Pain Management approaches but was unwilling to
take medications that damage the liver and kidney functions. I was also
unwilling to have a Lumbar Facet Rhizotomy, which
entails a heated needle destroying selected nerves in your back.
The word inflammation kept coming back to me. Allopathic medicine views inflammation (localized
protective reaction of tissue to irritation, injury, or infection,
characterized by pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes loss of function) as a
reaction to be stopped at any cost. Alternative healing modalities view
inflammation as a symptom, or as an essential part of the healing process,
which helps us to the identifying the initiating cause of disease.
I thought, what causes inflammation? Irritation and
injury. I was well aware of the falls and injuries that over stretched and
twisted my knees and low back. I also have genetic ligament and tendon laxity.
My personal history led me to try Prolotherapy treatments to strengthen my
lumbar back, sacrum, and knees--- Prolotherapy therapy works! So why do I still
have sciatic pain? I know I am a work in progress. What remains to do—is to get
the piriformis muscle to relax. The piriformis went into spasm years ago as
part of an original fall.
Piriformis Syndrome, which creates sciatic pain is a
condition caused by a taut or shortened piriformis muscle, or when a piriformis
goes into spasm. The piriformis muscle is located at the right and left top of
the buttocks next to each hipbone. The piriformis muscle is a lateral rotator
buried deep in the gluteus muscles and helps the foot and leg turn outward. A
hip out of alignment can impinge upon, or compress the sciatic nerve causing
chronic pain.
Piriformis syndrome and sciatica have many of the same
symptoms. It is difficult to distinguish Piriformis syndrome from sciatica,
therefore it is important to be knowledgeable.
To identify
Performs Syndrome:
·
Notice when the pain initiates. If the pain usually
starts after climbing stairs or some sort of lower-body exercise, this could be
Piriformis Syndrome.
·
Difficulty sitting for long stretches of time? Do you
need to take frequent breaks from your desk job because of numbness down
through part of the leg, tingling or pain?
·
Apply pressure to the piriformis muscle (located in the
upper part of your buttocks, right next to your hip bone). If this induces pain
and the problems you get from sitting too long or walking up stairs, this could
be piriformis syndrome.
·
Visit the doctor and discuss all of your symptoms. The
doctor will order tests to rule out sciatica from disc degeneration or
herniation. Remember, piriformis syndrome may exist along with sciatica and
complicate making a complete diagnosis.
·
Piriformis Syndrome can develop and cause sciatic nerve
pain on one or both sides. Sitting may be difficult and there may be a feeling
of a large painful knot in the buttocks.
Life Style
causes of Piriformis Syndrome
·
Muscle imbalance and weakness from sitting all day.
·
Strenuous, overuse injury results from activities of
the legs: Rowing, Sculling, Bicycling, and Running.
·
Runners who over-pronate,
·
Bicyclists and other athletes engaging in
forward-moving activities are particularly susceptible to Piriformis Syndrome
·
Abnormal position of the pelvis resulting from
repetitious movements: 1.) Getting in and out of a car, 2.) Standing and weight
shifting on to one foot while waiting in line or holding a baby on your hips,
3.) Weak core muscles, and muscle imbalances that lead to postural
dysfunctions.
An informal test to check for Piriformis Syndrome is to
get on the floor and lie on your back and relax your legs to see which way your
feet rotate, or look down at your feet as you sit. If toes rotate outward this
means the Piriformis muscle is tight. If possible, you may start appropriate
stretching exercises to help minimize or prevent Piriformis Syndrome.
Life Style
Changes
·
Try to avoid positions that trigger pain.
·
Rest, ice, and heat may help relieve symptoms.
·
When participating in sports or movement, such as
running or lunging, prevention is often related to good form.
·
Avoid running or exersing on hills or uneven surfaces.
·
Warm up properly before activity and increase intensity
gradually.
·
Use good posture while running, walking, or exercising.
·
If pain occurs, stop the activity and rest until pain
subsides.
·
Try physical therapy, or massage therapy that addresses
trigger points
·
Consider a chiropractor versed in the Sacro-Occipital
Technique (SOT)
My SOT chiropractor gave me a great exercise for the
piriformis muscle, which is called:
Step Out, Toe Out. 1.)
Stand facing a wall---about 4 inches from the wall, 2.) be sure your feet are
shoulder width apart and your weight is evenly balanced on your feet, 3.) you
will work with one side then the other, 4.) Step your right foot one step to
the right, 5.) Point right foot straight to the right. 6.) Place hands on wall
shoulder high, 7.) Stay balanced, keep back straight and learn forward to
wall—count to 15; 8.) Push yourself back upright; 9.) Repeat the process for
the left side—one step left, point left toe left---straight back lean forward
toward wall with hands shoulder high on wall---count to 15---push back to stand
upright.
You may want to consult your medical professional befor
trying this exercise. Start slow, respect your own needs, and build up
repetitions over time. When I kept my back straight, I could feel my backbones
realign.
A useful set of exercises are located at this website:
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