Piriformis Syndrome

Chiropractor explaining diagnosis of back pain to patient at chiropractic office

What Is Piriformis Syndrome?

The piriformis is a small muscle located deep in the gluteal region, behind the hip joint, that helps rotate the hip and turn the foot outward. It sits in close proximity to the sciatic nerve which is the largest nerve in the body. When the piriformis becomes inflamed or overly tight, it can compress the sciatic nerve, causing pain, tingling, and numbness in the buttock that can radiate down the leg. Because the symptoms overlap so closely with sciatica and lumbar radiculopathy, piriformis syndrome is often misdiagnosed. This is both these conditions have symptoms of lower back pain
with thigh/leg pain.

Common Symptoms

  • Pain, tingling, or numbness deep in the buttock
  • Pain that worsens with prolonged sitting
  • Discomfort that may radiate down the back of the leg
  • Difficulty climbing stairs or walking for extended periods
  • Pain that increases with hip rotation

What Causes It

Piriformis syndrome often develops from prolonged sitting, repetitive hip movement (common in runners and cyclists), or muscle imbalances that cause the piriformis to overwork and tighten. It can also result from a direct injury to the area or from anatomical variation in how the muscle sits relative to the sciatic nerve.

How We Diagnose and Treat Piriformis Syndrome

Because piriformis syndrome so easily mimics sciatica or a disc issue, an accurate diagnosis matters. Dr. Kumar performs a thorough physical exam and movement assessment to pinpoint the piriformis muscle as the true source of nerve compression, rather than the lumbar spine. Treatment typically includes:

  • Soft tissue and myofascial release to relax the tightened piriformis muscle
  • Chiropractic adjustments to address any pelvic or hip misalignment contributing to the tightness
  • Targeted stretching and strengthening exercises through physical therapy to correct the underlying imbalance
  • Medical massage to relieve deep muscle tension in the glutes and hip

Dealing with deep buttock or hip pain that radiates down your leg?

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