Back Pain Conditions }}

Piriformis Syndrome

Piriformis syndrome is one of the conditions that can create sciatica. It is a situation where the Piriformis muscle tightens and then irritates the sciatic nerve. This is actually one of the more common reasons why sciatica occurs.

What is Piriformis Syndrome?

The Piriformis muscle attaches to the side of your Sacrum (the wedge shaped bone at the base of your spine) and then travels out through your pelvis to attach to the top of your thigh bone (femur).

Because the sciatic nerve runs either through, underneath or close to the Piriformis, when this muscle tightens the nerve becomes irritated and sciatica develops.

What causes Piriformis Syndrome?

The Piriformis muscle may tighten from direct trauma or injury; however this is the less likely cause. The most common reason the muscle tightens is when the pelvis becomes out of balance.

When spinal imbalances occur, the pelvis twists and distorts. As the pelvis changes the Piriformis muscle will tighten and then irritate the sciatic nerve.

These spinal imbalances are created by the many micro-injuries that occur from your daily tasks such as lifting, bending, twisting and even prolonged postures. Even emotional tension will cause muscles to tighten, as will other health issues.

What are the symptoms of Piriformis Syndrome?

Depending on the severity of tightness, the pain will alter. Symptoms can be mild where you feel tightness in the buttock region, pins/needles or tingling. If the tightness increases then pain can occur from the buttock right down to your toes.

What are the common treatments for Piriformis Syndrome?

Most treatments are directed towards either pain relief and/or reducing the muscle tension. Anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxants are commonly used. Even ice/heat may help, as will ultrasound, TENS (electrical stimulation), and exercises to stretch the muscle will help.

Surgery is unhelpful, but can be suggested as the syndrome is commonly confused with true sciatica from a herniated disc.

Why do many treatments fail?

Unless you address the underlying cause of the tight Piriformis, then pain relief is temporary at best. The muscle will tighten as the spinal imbalances develop. Anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxants will not change how your spine moves or functions. If the spinal imbalances remain, then the condition will repeat or fail to ease completely.

What is the best approach for Piriformis Syndrome?

To get long lasting relief you first must identify which spinal imbalances have developed. There are four main patterns of distortion which can cause the Piriformis to tighten. Once identified the next step is to relieve the pain by reducing the muscle tightness.

This should be followed by performing corrective techniques to rebalance your muscles and joints. The principle of Spinal Balancing addresses both the pain and tightness of the Piriformis Syndrome and the root of the problem - in other words, what's causing the muscle to tighten in the first place.

Continue to the ... 3-Step-System for Back Pain Relief!