Man holding the lower area of his butt due to experience of pain from piriformis syndrome

Piriformis syndrome

Have you ever experienced numbness in one of your legs or buttocks after sitting for an extended period of time? This could be a symptom of piriformis syndrome.

What is Piriformis syndrome?

Piriformis syndrome is characterized by pain and numbness in the buttocks and down the back of the leg. It happens when the buttocks’ piriformis muscle presses on the sciatic nerve. The syndrome is uncommon, affecting more women than men. However, when it happens, it can cause sciatica-like symptoms.

Image showing the muscles affected by piriformis syndrome

Causes

Nearly all of your lower body movements, including walking and shifting weight from one foot to the other, involve the piriformis muscle just above the sciatic nerve. This nerve travels from your lower spine through your leg’s back and ends at your foot.

Muscle spasms occur in the piriformis muscles. The spasms may cause the muscle to swell or tighten. This causes pain by pressing on the nerve that lies beneath it.

Overuse can harm the muscle or result in swelling. Spasms of muscles can result from:

  • Sitting for long periods
  • Over-exercising
  • Running, walking, or doing other repetitive activities
  • Playing sports
  • Climbing stairs
  • Lifting heavy objects

Symptoms

The primary sign of piriformis syndrome is sciatica. Sciatica is a term for leg pain, achiness, numbness, or tingling. It is brought on by pressure or injury to the sciatic nerve. Sciatica is a sign of a health issue. On its own, it is not a medical condition.

Additional symptoms include:

  • A painful ache or tenderness in the buttocks
  • In the buttock and down the back of the leg, there is tingling or numbness.
  • Having trouble sitting
  • Sitting-related pain that gets worse as you keep sitting
  • Increasing discomfort with activity
  • severe lower body pain that is incapacitating

Usually, only one side of the lower body is affected by the pain. But it can also happen simultaneously on both sides.

Treatment

You might not always require medical attention. The following self-care advice may be suggested by your doctor to help you manage your pain.

  1. Avoid painful activities like biking and running. Once the pain has subsided, you can resume these activities.
  2. Use the right equipment and form when engaging in sports or other physical activities.
  3. Try heating and ice. Every few hours, apply an ice pack for 15 to 20 minutes. To protect your skin, enclose the ice pack in a towel. Swap out the cold pack for a heating pad set to low. A heating pad shouldn’t be used for more than 20 minutes in a row.
  4. When performing special stretches, follow your provider’s instructions. Stretching and strengthening exercises can help to relax and strengthen the piriformis muscle.
  5. When sitting, standing, or driving, maintain proper posture. Sit up straight and avoid slouching.
  6. Muscle relaxants may be prescribed by your doctor. This relaxes the muscle, allowing you to exercise and stretch it. Steroid injections into the affected area may also be beneficial.
  7. For more severe pain, your provider may recommend TENS therapy. This treatment employs electrical stimulation to alleviate pain and prevent muscle spasms.
  8. Your provider may, as a last resort, consider surgery to release the muscle and relieve pressure on the nerve.

Prevention

To avoid future occurrence of this pain, you should do these

  • Get some exercise on a regular basis.
  • Avoid running or working out on hills or uneven terrain.
  • Before trying to exercise, stretch and warm up. Then gradually increase your activity’s intensity.
  • Stop doing something that causes you pain. Don’t try to push through the discomfort. Rest until the pain goes away.
  • Don’t sit or lie down for extended periods of time in positions that put extra strain on your hips.

If you have any of the following symptoms, please contact us for urgent medical attention

  • Pain that persists for more than a few weeks
  • Pain that begins after being injured in an accident
  • You experience severe pain in your lower back or legs, as well as muscle weakness or numbness.
  • You have trouble controlling your foot and frequently trip over it while walking.
  • You have no control over your bowels or bladder.

Here at Unique Physiotherapy and Fitness Center, we offer a unique approach to recovery and well-being. We provide the most effective physiotherapy in Abuja to assist you with your pain and injuries. Our therapists work with you to customise a relaxation programme to meet your specific needs. Book a schedule with us today.

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