Piriformis Syndrome
Piriformis Syndrome ( by Stefano Manassero NMT/Physical Therapist)
Often described as ‘ a pain in the buttock’ Piriformis syndrome is the cause of concern for many clients.
Piriformis Syndrome can be mistaken for ‘Sciatica’ as it present similar symptoms and here the reason why:
the Piriformis Muscle is one of the muscles deep in the buttocks that rotates the leg laterally. It runs from the base of the spine and attaches to the thigh bone (femur) roughly where the outside crease in your bum is. The sciatic nerve runs very close to this muscle and apparently in 10% of the population even through it!
If the muscle becomes tight it can put pressure on the sciatic nerve and cause pain which can radiate down the leg.
If you are experiencing such pain firstly consult your physician ( GP) as there maybe other underlying complications.
If you have found not to have a Bulging, Herniated or Prolapsed Disk then you should consult a Sport Massage Therapist, a Neuromuscular Therapist or a Physical Therapist.
The 3 above mentioned therapist are experts in Muscle Manipulation Techniques, depending who you decide to consult they may decide to use Massage, Trigger Point Therapy, Joint movements and similar to achieved the desired result.
Usually Piriformis Syndrome requires a good bit of ‘ Elbow Work’ from the therapist side, as the Gluteo muscle group can be pretty tough to work with particularly in
athletes so be prepared to go through a bit of pain which in most of the cases the client described as ‘ good pain’.
Another technique surfacing in recent times is called Myofascial Trigger Point Dry Needling, it is no Acupuncture but it uses the same tools, the needles are inserted sometime deep in the belly of the muscle to find and deactivate Trigger Point likely to have formed after the injury occurred.
Billy Byrne, Dry Needling Specialist 087-2796080 ( Lucan )
Stefano Manassero, NMT, Manual Trigger Point Therapy Specialist 086-8248468 ( Dalkey, Swords )
Karen Byford, Physical Therapist and Pilate Instructor 087-6211797 ( Dalkey )
Treatment Of Piriformis Injury CLICK HERE