If you’ve been feeling a dull ache in the buttocks, pain down the back of the thigh, calf & foot (sciatica), discomfort going up and down stairs, increased pain after long periods of sitting, or reduced range of motion of the hip joint, chances are you may be suffering from Piriformis syndrome.
The exact causes of Piriformis syndrome are unknown. Suspected causes include:
- Muscle spasm in the Piriformis muscle, caused by irritation in the Piriformis muscle itself, or irritation of a nearby structure such as the SI joint or hip
- Tightening of the muscle, in response to injury or spasm
- Swelling of the Piriformis muscle, due to injury or spasm
- Repetitive movement such as driving which causes the muscle to tighten
Treatment options for this condition include:
Massage Therapy
Utilizing the benefits of Massage Therapy a Massage Therapist can loosen up the tight ligaments, muscle, and connective tissue surrounding or attaching to the SI joint, Low Back and Hip helping with increased mobility and decrease in pain. A Massage Therapist can give you corrective exercises that can help strengthen and stretch the muscles surrounding the SI joint that can assist in the Hypermobility or Hypomobility. Lastly, using low-grade mobilizations we can help control pain as well as increase mobility.
Benefits of massage therapy include:
- Address the cause of the pain and create a successful treatment plan
- Decrease pain and stress placed on the joint
- Increased joint mobility
- Decrease fixation
- Improve instability
- Address compensation
- Decrease tight muscles, connective tissue and ligaments
- Decrease edema (swelling)
Chiropractic
Utilizing the benefits of Chiropractic a Chiropractor can reduce pain by utilizing electrical equipment such as IFC and TENS, reduce joint fixation (via mobilizations and manipulation), reduce muscle tension via muscle release therapy and via acupuncture. Stretching, strengthening and rehabilitation protocols can also reduce pain and minimize the likelihood and intensity of future possible events.
A thorough assessment must be done by a health care provider to determine the cause of your pain. Come visit us at the clinic so we can diagnose you, determine exactly where your pain is coming from, and develop a treatment plan to fix it.
Contributed by clinic Registered Massage Therapist Bram van Bommel.