Piriformis Syndrome and Acupuncture

Have you ever heard anyone say that Piriformis Syndrome is rare? Well, it's probably not as rare as those may think. Many cases of this syndrome are categorized under the blanket of “low back pain”, and so, they may not be treated properly. 

Low back pain can be treated a number of ways, depending on its root cause; and it definitely helps to know whether it is a disc or a muscle that is causing your pain. Since piriformis syndrome, at its root, is a muscle issue, we've decided to explore acupuncture as a treatment in this week's post.

Acupuncture as Treatment for Piriformis Syndrome

Much like with any other treatment, acupuncture for PS starts with a thorough examination. The practitioner will attempt to locate the area where the nerves are pinched. For example, if the patient is experiencing pain in the buttock area, the nerves are likely being compressed in the inferior gluteal region.

Many practitioners claim they can spot piriformis syndrome on sight because the patient tends to lean toward the unaffected side while sitting or standing in order to reduce sciatic nerve compression. Patients with these symptoms also rely on heavy doses of ibuprofen or naproxen to dull the pain. Of course, this isn't enough of an exam to diagnose piriformis syndrome, though. It is recommended that patients see the general practitioner, and then, likely, a specialist for their diagnosis before they seek a treatment such as acupuncture.

Typically, an acupuncturist will use gauge #36 Chinese acupuncture needles of 1.5 to 2-inches in length. Treatment is done with a micro-current device and is focused on two to four trigger areas on the piriformis muscle itself.

Most acupuncturists suggest that patients seek treatment one to three times per week. The frequency will depend on the level of pain they are experiencing. Many patients experience some level of relief by their eighth treatment. This may include improved range of motion and reduced pain and tingling.

Piriformis Syndrome and Stretching

Although piriformis syndrome may improve with acupuncture treatment, acupuncturists also recommend stretching the muscle to aid in treatment. Check out this excerpt from a 2002 Acupuncture Today article:

“A course of daily stretching exercises is recommended (part of the protocol) to patients to assist in recovery of the muscles and tendons.”

The article goes on to recommend posture training as part of treatment, which makes perfect sense because posture is such an important part of maintaining back health.

We've found that many patients have trouble targeting the piriformis muscle with their at-home stretches, which is why we developed the Piri-Stretcher®.

The Piri-Stretcher® is an FDA registered medical device that is specifically designed to help the user target their stretch to the piriformis muscle in order to strengthen the muscle and speed up recovery time.

The bottom line about acupuncture for piriformis syndrome is that it may be effective, but it works best when combined with a daily or weekly stretching regimen.