Pirifomis syndrome
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Anonymous
| Anybody been diagnosed with this? I've been suffering from pain alongside the top, outside part of my left leg - a figure four stretch hits the area really well. I am very active and flexible, but I can't seem to get rid of this pain, which often is worse when I'm sitting in a meeting or on the metro (but sporadic - not an all the time thing). Stretching doesn't seem to be helping (and this has been going on for at least 2 months). In my googling yesterday, I came across this syndrome, which seems to be consistent with what I'm experiencing. I found some competing advice from physical therapists on youtube, so grateful if anyone has been through this (and successfully treated it). |
Anonymous
| My sister has it and requires a special massage technique to release the muscle. She can do it herself now, but I can't give you more details. She also wears a back brace sometimes around the house, which provides relief. |
Anonymous
| I had this a few years back while marathon training. It was incredibly uncomfortable. I ended up in PT for about a month. Stretching did not help much. Strangely enough, the most effective treatment was rolling my butt cheek on a lacrosse ball. I would also just lie on my back with the lacrosse ball directly under the piriformis. It hurt quite a bit but eventually the muscle released. |
Anonymous
| I once saw a chiro for it |
Anonymous
| I have it. Stretching seems to help a bit, but you have to spend a lot of time stretching. I got a yoga ball and, like the PP, use it on my butt cheeks. Also seeing an accupuncturist. I've had the issue for 2 years now, so I'm now starting to see a pain doctor, and might get a steroid shot for it |
Anonymous
| i have this also! interested in hearing what worked for everyone. I did see a PT and she recommended the stretch, and also strengthening the glute muscles through a series of exercises. That actually did seem to help. I've always been healthy (running, walking, biking, yoga) but those things do not help/made that pain work. But the targeted exercises and stretching helped, and I can totally see how massage would as well. |
Anonymous
| I had it during marathon training. Miserable. See a PT. |
Anonymous
| Had it. PT and sports massage fixed it right up. |
Anonymous
|
If sitting makes it worse, try adjusting your sitting position with wedge cushions, lumbar support, etc.
I found a massage gun along with very targeted stretching helps. However, piriformis syndrome involves squeezing of the sciatic nerve and should be causing pain comparable to sciatica, not on the front of the leg. It might be worth another conversation with your PT to be sure you've correctly identified what's going on. |
Anonymous
| I also got it during marathon training. I saw a PT a couple times who gave me a few stretches that helped. And I also got a couple massages. It was kind of painful getting that area worked on and not all massage therapists want to rub your butt like that or know how to do it right, but it resolved pretty quickly. |
Anonymous
| Foam roller! |
Anonymous
This is me again. I also saw a PT and I get monthly massages as part of my "back treatment" - I have sciatic issues that may or may not be related to pirifomis - anyway - this post made me realize I haven't had the pirifomis issues for a while now. |
Anonymous
| I've heard about a dry needling type of treatment from a physiatrist |
Anonymous
| I have to do lots of hip and glute strengthening and balancing exercises. Stretching is a temporary feel-good action (for me), but the strengthening is what really helped long term. |
Anonymous