Is it Sciatica or Piriformis Syndrome?
by admin on January 3, 2010
Many people suffer from a painful condition commonly called Sciatica. This pain comes and goes and can cause a cramping pain in the buttocks as well as pain running down the back of the legs. At times, if left untreated, this pain can radiate a burning sensation around to the thighs. It manifests in various ways with different people but in every case the pain is debilitating.
Now to the big question. Is the painful condition Sciatica or Piriformis Syndrome.
Most call is Sciatica which is the pinching of the ‘nerve root’ of the Sciatic Nerve between the vertebrae of lumbar spine.
In fact in most cases the cause is a condition called Piriformis Syndrome.
This is the compression of the Sciatic Nerve between the Piriformis Muscle and the hip bone at the Sciatic Notch. The nerve travels from the lumbar spine down the front of the hip and then passes through the Sciatic Notch to the rear. It is here that the nerve then passes under the Piriformis Muscle before traveling down the back of the legs to the toes. When this muscle and your gluteal muscles are tight they can compress the Sciatic Nerve causing pain.
If you have sciatic pain but no lower back pain then it is a fair chance that you have Piriformis Syndrome not Sciatica. Further clues will be pain and discomfort in the gluteal muscles.
Piriformis is often the easier of the two to treat but the massage can at times be painful as the Piriformis Muscle lies deep under the 3 layers of gluteal muscles in your buttocks. To affect this muscle and release the tension there a therapist has to work with much firmness to get through the muscles layered above. Fortunately this does not take long to achieve in the hands of a skilled therapist.
If you have this condition or similar pain or discomfort issues in the buttock region you can help yourself by getting a tennis ball and placing it on the floor. Then sit on it and roll over the sore spots on your buttocks. This will be painful at first but will help release first the gluteal muscles and then the piriformis muscle and thus take the pressure off the sciatic nerve. Symptoms and pain will then ease over time. This way you can take control and actually treat yourself at home. For further assistance book in to see your massage therapist.
Massage works.
Yours in health
Many people suffer from a painful condition commonly called Sciatica. This pain comes and goes and can cause a cramping pain in the buttocks as well as pain running down the back of the legs. At times, if left untreated, this pain can radiate a burning sensation around to the thighs. It manifests in various ways with different people but in every case the pain is debilitating.
Now to the big question. Is the painful condition Sciatica or Piriformis Syndrome.
Most call is Sciatica which is the pinching of the ‘nerve root’ of the Sciatic Nerve between the vertebrae of lumbar spine.
In fact in most cases the cause is a condition called Piriformis Syndrome.
This is the compression of the Sciatic Nerve between the Piriformis Muscle and the hip bone at the Sciatic Notch. The nerve travels from the lumbar spine down the front of the hip and then passes through the Sciatic Notch to the rear. It is here that the nerve then passes under the Piriformis Muscle before traveling down the back of the legs to the toes. When this muscle and your gluteal muscles are tight they can compress the Sciatic Nerve causing pain.
If you have sciatic pain but no lower back pain then it is a fair chance that you have Piriformis Syndrome not Sciatica. Further clues will be pain and discomfort in the gluteal muscles.
Piriformis is often the easier of the two to treat but the massage can at times be painful as the Piriformis Muscle lies deep under the 3 layers of gluteal muscles in your buttocks. To affect this muscle and release the tension there a therapist has to work with much firmness to get through the muscles layered above. Fortunately this does not take long to achieve in the hands of a skilled therapist.
If you have this condition or similar pain or discomfort issues in the buttock region you can help yourself by getting a tennis ball and placing it on the floor. Then sit on it and roll over the sore spots on your buttocks. This will be painful at first but will help release first the gluteal muscles and then the piriformis muscle and thus take the pressure off the sciatic nerve. Symptoms and pain will then ease over time. This way you can take control and actually treat yourself at home. For further assistance book in to see your massage therapist.
Massage works.
Yours in health,
Vic Solomon