Easy Help for Piriformis Muscle Pain

“Ouch, my piriformis is killing me today!” Those are words you never hear, yet piriformis muscle pain is a very real problem for many people.

More likely, you might hear someone with piriformis syndrome say that they have a literal pain in the rear end, or their lower limbs are numb or hurting. That's because it's exactly what they are feeling, and to be honest, most people don't know what or where the piriformis muscle is.

Understanding the Piriformis Muscle

Not surprisingly, the reason for that pain in the rear is a muscle that is located, well, in the rear. The piriformis muscle is right next to your hip joint at the top of your hip. Although you may never hear about it until there's a problem, the piriformis muscle is actually a very important one. It plays an important role in stabilizing your hip and rotating the thigh away from the body.

You use this muscle almost constantly. It's used for walking, shifting weight and for balance, which means you can stand straight without your piriformis muscle. Virtually any time you move your legs, you're using your piriformis muscle.

The Reason for Piriformis Muscle Pain

If you're experiencing pain in your piriformis, it may be for a number of reasons. Some people are born with a sciatic nerve that passes through the muscle instead of behind. These people are more likely to experience piriformis pain than others, but they aren't the only ones who have trouble with this important muscle. A piriformis muscle strain or injury can put pressure on the nearby sciatic nerve and cause piriformis muscle pain, which can also come along with numbness and tingling that radiates down the leg.

An All-Too Common Problem

Low back pain affects about 80 percent of the population, so if you're dealing with piriformis musle-related issues, you may take comfort in the fact that you're not alone. Piriformis syndrome is a common cause of low back pain, and is an issue becoming more common. Fortunately, there are non-invasive treatment options that have proven to be successful for most sufferers.

Help for Piriformis Muscle Pain

Stretching has proven to be one of the most effective and least invasive methods of treating piriformis syndrome and alleviating the associated pain. Often, stretching is prescribed alongside other treatment methods, such as physical therapy or acupuncture. And studies have shown that it's a good regimen. It has been proven that prolonged stretching, hip flexion, hip adduction and internal rotation are all effective treatments for low back, buttocks and radiating leg pain that can come from piriformis syndrome. So…stretching versus surgery, why not give it a try!