Piriformis syndrome is best described as a neuromuscular disorder. It occurs when the piriformis muscle of the buttocks compresses the sciatic nerve, resulting in pain that begins near the tailbone and radiates down into one of the legs. Strengthening the piriformis muscle can help relieve this pressure and prevent the syndrome from recurring.
Anatomy
The piriformis muscle is a thin band of muscular tissue that runs from the base of your spine to the very top of your thigh bone. It's responsible for allowing the leg and hip to rotate outwards. When lifting the leg out to one side, you engage the piriformis muscle to carry out this motion.
Development
Piriformis syndrome often develops when the piriformis muscle abnormally tightens or spasms. Either of these issues can place pressure on the sciatic nerve, which has a direct impact on nerve impulses. The point of compression disrupts the nerve's natural function, impeding the passage of electrical charges between the brain and the affected leg. This leads to symptoms commonly associated with this syndrome.
Symptoms
Sciatic pain, which is characterized as a pain starting in the buttocks and running down into the leg, is the most common symptom of piriformis syndrome. However, you may also begin to experience the sensation of numbness, tingling or prickling within these same areas of the body, warns the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. If the tightness or spasms of the piriformis muscle completely block the nerve impulses, you may even suffer from a reduced range of motion within the hip joint.
Strengthening
As mentioned, strengthening the piriformis muscle can relieve the compression of the sciatic nerve. The Sports Injury Clinic recommends an exercise known as "side lying clam" for this purpose. Start off by lying on your side with the affected leg on top. Draw your feet toward your buttocks until your knees are bent at a 45-degree angle. Keeping your feet together, rotate your hip out so that your top knee lifts away from the bottom one and then slowly lower your top knee until it returns to its original position. Complete 15 repetitions each day, gradually building up to two sets of 20 repetitions.
You may also benefit from strengthening the hip abductors with hip extensions. Start off this exercise on your hands and knees. Keeping the affected leg bent, lift the knee off the floor until your thigh is parallel with the ground and then slowly return the leg to its original position. Like the previous exercise, complete 15 repetitions each day, gradually building up to two sets of 20 repetitions.
Treatment
Along with strengthening the piriformis muscle and hip abductor, you should apply heat to the affected buttock to ease pain. Heat should only be applied for 15-minute intervals. It's also important to stretch the hips and buttocks prior to exercise to prevent tightening and spasms. Talk to your doctor before taking part in any exercise used to strengthen the piriformis muscle.
