The piriformis muscle is a deep muscle in the buttocks that lies below the gluteus maximus muscle, and is named "piriformis" because it is shaped like a "pear".
When the piriformis muscle appears swollen, inflamed, or"Nervous"When the sciatic nerve is stimulated, piriformis syndrome occurs in the buttocks and in the hips. The occurrence of this disease is mostly due to a history of hip trauma or cold, and it is often developed due to acute injury or chronic strain of muscles, and it is more common in women.
Most of the manifestations on the surface of the body are not obvious, with deep pain in the buttocks and radiating pain in the sciatic innervation area being the most common, the pain is aggravated when coughing, sneezing or abdominal pressure increases, and even the affected limb cannot be straightened, the lower limbs are shortened, the gait is lame, and the limb muscles can be atrophied in patients with a long medical history.
It is worth noting that some patients with sexual dysfunction or numbness are caused by the stimulation of the above-mentioned nerves.
1. Pain or numbness in the buttocks.
Piriformis syndrome is one of the few conditions that can cause pain in the back of the hip joint. Swollen or inflamed muscles can cause pain and numbness in one side of the buttocks. Because the piriformis muscle is involved in the movement of the hip joint, these symptoms can be significantly exacerbated when the hip is flexed, adducted, and internally rotated. Piriformis syndrome is often misdiagnosed clinically.
2. Radiating pain along the back of the thigh and behind the calf.
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body and runs from the lower back through the buttocks to the feet. In general, sciatica is pain caused by damage to the sciatic nerve, which is a manifestation of nerve compression, which can cause pain in the lower back and hips and radiate to the entire lower limbs.
Its formation is usually caused by a herniated disc or irritation of the piriformis muscle. Piriformis syndrome should be considered once the problem caused by a herniated disc has been ruled out clinically.
In terms of symptoms, it is necessary to distinguish the two according to the scope of pain: sciatica caused by herniated disc is often manifested by low back pain and radiating pain in one limb, while sciatica caused by piriformis syndrome is mostly caused by pain in the buttocks, and the pain in the lower limbs is mainly above the knee joint, and there are few symptoms of low back pain.
3. Pain when going up stairs.
When walking uphill or climbing stairs, the muscles become implicated, causing it to compress the sciatic nerve, producing sharp, intense or burning pain that can exacerbate the symptoms of piriformis syndrome.
4. The pain worsens after sitting for a long time.
Prolonged sedentary sitting is the most common factor in the development of piriformis syndrome. In the sitting state, the piriformis muscle is continuously compressed and spasms occur. This symptom is especially pronounced in people who are not physically active.
If you usually need to sit for long periods of time at work, make sure to schedule an appropriate amount of time to exercise each day. For example, during work, you can stand up every hour or so and do stretching exercises on all fours, which can play an effective preventive role.
5. Restricted hip joint movement.
The piriformis muscle is involved in some of the movement of the hip joint. When the hip is straightened, the piriformis muscle rotates the femur laterally and adducts the femur when the hip is flexed.
During human walking, the piriformis muscle transfers the central weight from one foot to the other. In piriformis syndrome, the movement of the thighs may be affected, and it is even more difficult to lift the legs, go upstairs, rotate the thighs, etc.
6. **Ice and or hot compresses.
Because piriformis inflammation may cause piriformis syndrome, ice is often used clinically to reduce the level of piriformis inflammation to help reduce symptoms. The specific method is to place an ice pack on the affected area every 3-4 hours and apply it for 15-20 minutes. Be careful not to touch ice cubes directly** to avoid frostbite on the ice.
In addition, it can also be alleviated by switching between cold and hot. Take a hot bath or warm compress for 20 minutes a day to relieve symptoms.
7. **Deep muscular tissue massage.
The piriformis muscle is a deep muscle because it is located deep in the buttocks below the gluteus maximus. Seeking the help of an experienced massage doctor or physicist, you can indirectly squeeze the piriformis muscle through massage to relieve muscle tension.
The above massage*** process can be more painful because when the muscles are tense, they resist the pressure. The specific method is: ** division will knead out"Nodes"to restore elasticity to the muscles and reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve.
8. Stretching exercises.
Stretching exercises strengthen other parts of the body and allow the piriformis muscles to relax. It is advisable to consult a professional physiotherapist or relevant personnel to ensure that your stretching exercises are performed correctly and effectively and that sports-related injuries are avoided.
Stretch daily and develop good posture to reduce stiffness and inflammation throughout the body, especially in problematic areas.
9. Rest.
When piriformis syndrome has an acute onset and symptoms are obvious, don't try to grit your teeth and keep working. The best way to do this is to rest in a comfortable position. When you feel like piriformis syndrome is about to occur, take care to avoid sitting for long periods of time and learn to recognize the signals that occur during the attack.
10. ** and prevention: stay healthy.
When all the muscles are exercised, the less chance of spasms and pain in each muscle. Staying fit and exercising (i.e., stretching, weight training, and aerobic exercise) will help you have a healthier body.
Stretching and strengthening the piriformis muscles along with general exercises can help prevent piriformis syndrome. Healthy Wintering Program
Original: Dr. Kwok Wai Chun.
Review: Professor Wang Haibin, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine.
Article affiliation: Professor Wang Haibin's team, **Please indicate the source.