Piriformis Syndrome: Causes and Treatments
Piriformis syndrome is neuromuscular disorder in which it is caused by piriformis muscle that irritates the sciatic nerve. Piriformis muscle is a flat and small muscle that is located behind gluteus maximus. This muscle has a function to help rotate the hip. It is also useful for lower body movement. Besides, piriformis muscle also enables you to walk and maintain balance.
Piriformis syndrome causes pain in the back of your leg and also into your foot. Generally, this syndrome occurs to women and also active individuals, such as walkers and runners. This pain is similar to pain that is caused by sciatica. It will increase when there is contraction and pressure in the muscle. For example, the pain may occur when you sit for long time.
Piriformis syndrome is caused by compression of your nerve and also shortening of your muscle. Besides, gait problems, posture, and also poor body mechanics can cause this syndrome. Another cause of this syndrome is the spasm of piriformis muscle that is located in the buttocks.
After knowing several causes of piriformis syndrome, it is important to know the best treatment that can help cure this syndrome. Before deciding to choose certain treatment, you are recommended to consult with your doctor about the best treatment that suitable with your condition, whether it is medication, physical therapy, piriformis syndrome exercises, and others.
Piriformis syndrome causes pain in the back of your leg and also into your foot. Generally, this syndrome occurs to women and also active individuals, such as walkers and runners. This pain is similar to pain that is caused by sciatica. It will increase when there is contraction and pressure in the muscle. For example, the pain may occur when you sit for long time.
Piriformis syndrome is caused by compression of your nerve and also shortening of your muscle. Besides, gait problems, posture, and also poor body mechanics can cause this syndrome. Another cause of this syndrome is the spasm of piriformis muscle that is located in the buttocks.
After knowing several causes of piriformis syndrome, it is important to know the best treatment that can help cure this syndrome. Before deciding to choose certain treatment, you are recommended to consult with your doctor about the best treatment that suitable with your condition, whether it is medication, physical therapy, piriformis syndrome exercises, and others.
Looking For The Treatment
When it comes to looking for the best treatment, you can consider piriformis syndrome exercises or piriformis stretch. It can be done at home. You just need to lie on the back, and then bend your knees. Cross the right leg over the left leg. Bring the left leg towards the chest. Then, reach and grab the left thigh as the way to pull things towards the chest. If you have a difficulty in doing this, you can ask help to your therapist.
Physical Therapy
Another treatment is physical therapy, such as deep massage and range of motion exercises. By having treatment with deep massage, it can help increase blood flow and decrease muscle spasm. To decrease spasm and stretch the muscle, you can choose range of motion exercises as your treatment. There is also injection that is chosen as the right treatment. It can help relieve sciatic nerve compression and muscle tightness that can also help treat your pain.
When it comes to looking for the best treatment, you can consider piriformis syndrome exercises or piriformis stretch. It can be done at home. You just need to lie on the back, and then bend your knees. Cross the right leg over the left leg. Bring the left leg towards the chest. Then, reach and grab the left thigh as the way to pull things towards the chest. If you have a difficulty in doing this, you can ask help to your therapist.
Physical Therapy
Another treatment is physical therapy, such as deep massage and range of motion exercises. By having treatment with deep massage, it can help increase blood flow and decrease muscle spasm. To decrease spasm and stretch the muscle, you can choose range of motion exercises as your treatment. There is also injection that is chosen as the right treatment. It can help relieve sciatic nerve compression and muscle tightness that can also help treat your pain.
Ice Treatment
The next treatment for piriformis syndrome is ice treatment. You just need to lie on your stomach with comfortable position, and then put an ice pack about 20 minutes on your painful area. You can repeat it every 2 to 4 hours. Besides, you can also choose heat treatment for piriformis syndrome. The first thing you have to do is to lie on your stomach, and then put your heating pad on your painful area about 20 minutes. Make sure that you will not fell asleep when you put the heating pad because it may cause skin burns.
The most important thing to do to avoid piriformis syndrome is prevention. If the syndrome is caused by running or lunging, it is important for you to avoid running or exercises that are done on the hills or uneven surfaces. Before doing activity, you have to warm up properly. When you are walking, running, doing exercise, and doing activities, you have to use good posture. If the pain occurs, you have to stop doing the activity and rest.
The next treatment for piriformis syndrome is ice treatment. You just need to lie on your stomach with comfortable position, and then put an ice pack about 20 minutes on your painful area. You can repeat it every 2 to 4 hours. Besides, you can also choose heat treatment for piriformis syndrome. The first thing you have to do is to lie on your stomach, and then put your heating pad on your painful area about 20 minutes. Make sure that you will not fell asleep when you put the heating pad because it may cause skin burns.
The most important thing to do to avoid piriformis syndrome is prevention. If the syndrome is caused by running or lunging, it is important for you to avoid running or exercises that are done on the hills or uneven surfaces. Before doing activity, you have to warm up properly. When you are walking, running, doing exercise, and doing activities, you have to use good posture. If the pain occurs, you have to stop doing the activity and rest.