Piriformis Syndrome: That Pain You Can’t Explain

Piriformis syndrome is when the piriformis muscle compresses the sciatic nerve. The muscle is important to lower body movement. When muscle spasms, movement can be quite painful.

Accurate Diagnosis Critical

Treatment success depends on an accurate diagnosis. Your chiropractor will conduct a comprehensive evaluation. It will include your spine, pelvis, and related muscles. A neurological examination may also be done. Weakness in other muscles can contribute to dysfunction in the sacroiliac (SI) joint can.

The chiropractor will perform several tests. Some may seem strange but all have a purpose in an accurate diagnosis. For example, the doctor may look at the direction of your feet while lying on your back. A tight piriformis muscle can cause one foot to point outwards more than the other. He or she may press spots along with the muscle which then trigger pain points down the leg. A Bonnet’s Test may be performed to rule out a disc injury and confirm if the piriformis muscle is irritating the sciatic nerve.

Piriformis Treatment

Chiropractic adjustments focus on restoring function to the pelvic and spinal joints. Active Release Technique (ART) and Theralase® are used to stop the muscle from compressing the sciatic nerve. The chiropractor may recommend massage or stretching and strengthening exercises. Ensuring your car and workstation are ergonomically correct is important to prevent future problems.

Removing piriformis syndrome discomfort can be highly successful once the underlying problems are corrected. You can resume normal activities but be mindful of activities that could cause a recurrence. For example, things like extreme exercising or sitting for long periods of time without stretching.

If you are suffering from symptoms that sound like piriformis syndrome, call Dr. Roach today. He and his team can diagnose and correct the issue, getting you moving again, pain-free.

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