Piriformis Disease

If you are experiencing extreme buttock and leg pain, you may have piriformis syndrome. The piriformis muscle is a small muscle located in the lower part of the spine and buttock that turns your leg outward. The sciatic nerve runs close to this muscle. If tightened, the piriformis muscle can put pressure on the sciatic nerve and cause pain in your leg and buttocks.

Symptoms

• Sitting or standing for long periods of time can worsen symtpoms of piriformis syndrome.

  Symptoms for piriformis syndrome include soreness in the buttock area, tenderness in certain areas of your leg, and reduced flexibility in the hip joint. These symptoms seem to worsen when you sit or stand for long periods of time.

Risk Factors

• Some members of the population are at an increased risk of developing piriformis syndrome. The list includes middle-aged adults, people with sedentary lifestyles, pregnant women, runners, and diabetics.

Causes

• Pregnancy can sometimes cause piriformis syndrome.

  Lower back conditions such as degenerative disc disease (DDD), or a bulging disc can cause piriformis. Pregnancy is a another condition to consider. The excess weight gained during pregnancy can cause pressure on your spine, triggering pain. Although extremely uncommon, spinal tumors and infections can compress the nerve and cause discomfort as well.

Prevention

• Yoga can strengthen the piriformis muscle, providng some relief.

  Apply heat to the sore muscle. Strengthen the muscle with stretching exercises such as yoga. Applying massage techniques may be useful as well.

Treatments

• Acupuncture is an alternative treatment for piriformis syndrome.

  Historically, piriformis has been primarily treated with bed rest. In other cases, pain relief is treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or surgery. Alternative treatments include yoga, biofeedback, and acupuncture.