A small muscle located deep in the buttocks, the piriformis muscle performs the essential function of rotating the leg outwards. Piriformis Syndrome is a painful condition that occurs when the piriformis muscle is tight and intrudes upon the sciatic nerve in the buttocks. The pain my go down the leg and into the feet.
Causes
There are two commonly identifiable potential causes for piriformis syndrome. One is sitting for prolonged periods of time, which can cause tightening of the muscle. The second cause is an injury to the buttocks, either by a fall, an accident, or a sports injury. Trauma causes the piriformis muscle to swell and irritate the sciatic nerve.
Spasms can also cause piriformis syndrome, however, the underlying cause of the spasms frequently remains unknown.
Unfortunately, the condition can recur periodically. Recurrences are usually brought on by too much exercise or sitting for a long time without stretching.
Whatever the initial cause, treatment options are vital in relieving the painful symptoms and healing the condition.
Common Treatment Options
Medication. Over-the-counter or prescribed pain medicines, anti-inflammatory drugs, or muscle relaxers frequently serve to reduce the pain from piriformis syndrome. A doctor may also inject medicine directly into the piriformis muscle to improve the condition.
Heat. A common way to relax tight muscles is to apply heat. Sufferers may find relief from painful symptoms by periodically applying heat directly to the tender area.
Heat therapy may relieve the tightness of the muscle and promote healing of the entire area. However, it’s important to avoid heat if there is a chance the muscle may be torn or inflamed.
Exercise. A proper exercise regimen will loosen the muscle and alleviate the symptoms. A doctor can prescribe the correct exercises to stretch and subsequently strengthen the muscles and the body’s other muscles. A strong body will reduce the chances of the issue recurring down the road.
Hands on therapy. Massage is a commonly used therapy for piriformis syndrome, as it helps increase blood flow to the area. The massage therapist can work the area to relieve the tightness of the muscle.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractors view the body in its entirety Chiropractors adjust the spine in order to bring the nerve system on-line. Like turning on a light switch, power flows into the muscle thus improve the condition. They may also utilize pelvic and spinal adjustments to help heal the afflicted area.
As stated earlier, once the condition has been controlled and the area has healed, it’s vital to avoid re-aggravating the area. Proper stretching before exercise, periodic breaks when sitting, and chiropractic maintenance adjustments will increase an individual’s chances of living free of the pain in the future.
If you have a question about how chiropractic care can help with the symptoms of piriformis syndrome, or other health conditions, contact us today.
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