Sciatic Pain And Piriformis Syndrome

Since Piriformis syndrome is a pain in the sciatic nerve, sciatic pain
and Piriformis Syndrome are fairly similar diseases. Piriformis syndrome
is a condition in which piriformis muscle irritates sciatic nerve,
causing severe pain in back which can then spread to the back of leg and
eventually to the foot. Mostly this disease is common in women and in
some cases among athletes such as marathon walkers and runners.

While learning about sciatic pain and Piriformis Syndrome on internet,
you may come across the information about the piriformis muscle. It is a
small muscle positioned deep in the back, behind gluteus maximums. The
piriformis muscle begins at the lower backbone and links to the upper
surface of each thighbone. It works to help in turning the hip and runs
with the sciatic nerve running vertically straight under it.

The pain of piriformis syndrome can increase if the piriformis muscle is
stretched or if it puts pressure on sciatic nerve, which lies just below
it. The stress on sciatic nerve can give rise to low back pain or pain
that spreads out in the rear and along the leg. Generally, this pain is
similar to sciatic pain. Although piriformis syndrome cannot cause actual
sciatic pain, it can generate soreness, numbness or itchy with the
sciatic nerve that runs along the back of the leg into the foot.

If you are suffering from sciatic pain and Piriformis Syndrome, your
orthopedist will advise you to perform some of the stretching exercises
to get rid of it:

* Stretching the piriformis muscle is one of the most helpful exercises
to get rid of the pain along the sciatic nerve and you can do it in
several dissimilar poses.
* A number of exercises can be done to reduce the painful symptoms of
sciatic nerve.
* The stretching exercises can help you to boost your hamstring muscles,
piriformis muscles and hip extensor muscle.

The diagnosis of Piriformis syndrome is usually based on the signs and
some laboratory tests. There are no specific tests to confirm the
diagnosis perfectly. However, MRI, X-rays or nerve condition tests may be
essential if the pain is severe. These tests are also helpful to rule out
the possibility of other diseases.

The physical therapy can help break the series of spasm and soreness with
several stretching exercises. Sometimes, physical therapy can be aided
with local painkillers or by giving steroid injections directly to the
affected area. Generally, there is no need of surgery for treating
Piriformis. However, surgery is the sole alternative left to the patient
after all conventional care techniques have been used in vain.

If you are suffering from Piriformis syndrome, you should avoid
bicycling, running or doing activities that can cause pain. If your pain
is aggravated due to sitting, standing up immediately, then you may
change your sitting position if you are unable to stand up. In this way,
you can try one of the physical therapies to get rid of sciatic pain and
Piriformis Syndrome. However, physical therapy should only be practiced
under the guidance of an expert trainer.