Piriformis Syndrome or Sciatica?
Is there a difference?
Contrary to popular belief, sciatica and piriformis syndrome are not two separate conditions. In fact, sciatica is an umbrella term that covers a wide variety of different diagnoses that involve irritation to the sciatic nerve. A few examples of these different conditions include piriformis syndrome, and disc herniations. While these conditions share similarities in their symptoms, such as pain, numbness and/or tingling in the back of your leg or foot, there are subtle differences in each that can guide treatment to make it more effective.
This page will give a deep dive into piriformis syndrome and steps to fix it.
What is “The Piriformis”
The piriformis is a muscle located on the back of your hip, that runs from your sacrum/pelvis to the head of your femur. The job of the piriformis is to rotate your leg outward as well as assisting in abduction of your hip (lifting your leg out to the side). You can also view the piriformis similarly to the muscles of the rotator cuff in the shoulder, as it will provide general stability to the hip joint.
Why Does My Piriformis Muscle Cause Sciatica?
When aggravated, the piriformis muscle can become “tight” or “hypertonic”. This can then put pressure on and restrict the movement of the sciatic nerve. This happens due to the proximity of the piriformis and the sciatic nerve to each other. The sciatic nerve will exit the pelvis either right above or below the piriformis muscle attachment, and in some people, the nerve will actually pierce through the muscle.
What are the Symptoms of Piriformis Syndrome
Common symptoms include:
- Pain that is more centrally located to the back of the hip/buttock
- Radiating pain down the back of the thigh
- Numbness or tingling in the calf, foot, or toes
- Worsening of symptoms with prolonged sitting, walking, running, or climbing stairs
if you think you may have piriformis syndrome but are unsure if it could be something else, book an assessment with our team for answers!
How do I Get Rid of Piriformis Syndrome?
Sciatica treatment in Burlington
The first step is to undergo a thorough physical assessment to make sure that your piriformis is the cause of your sciatica symptoms. As we discussed, there could be multiple sources of your pain, and to ensure the best, and quickest outcomes, an accurate diagnosis is key. Our Team at The Recovery Room Chiropractic and Wellness have nearly a decade of experience diagnosing and helping people recover from sciatica.
After an exam, your provider will be able to give you further details of a treatment plan, including how long they think it will take to recover, self-management strategies and home exercises, and how other hands-on therapies might benefit you.
Treatments such as chiropractic adjustments, manual therapy, stretching, targeted exercises and nerve flossing have been shown to be quite effective in getting rid of piriformis syndrome when used in the right combination.
Click here for some simple at home exercises you can try for relief, but if you still need more help, let us guide you.
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