topic Re: Pain in the butt - literally (aka piriformis syndrome?) in Wellness

Pain in the butt - literally (aka piriformis syndrome?)

appleseed — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 23:34:47 GMT

Several years ago, I developed pain in the side of my hip, which was diagnosed as hip bursitis. I was told by the physical therapist that the cause was weak and tight BUTT muscles. Due to the weakness and tightness, apparently my gluteus muscles do not contribute enough to my walking stride, so more of the stress is on my outer hips and thighs. I've done lots of stretching and gluteus strengthening exercises, but my butt continues to HURT when I walk! It just seems that the tightness and weakness just won't subside long enough for the proper functioning of my legs and hips and rear to kick in. I've been told this can be called piriformis syndrome Anyone else hear of this or have it?

Re: Pain in the butt - literally (aka piriformis syndrome?)

JeanLouiseFinch — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 00:05:17 GMT

Sorry you can't seem to get rid of this, it's got to be awful.

Maybe a year and a half ago, my husband was in sweet misery. He couldn't sleep, couldn't walk, couldn't sit. All he could do was stand and support himself by leaning on a cabinet, and even then he'd have these spasms. We ended up in the ER because he couldn't take it anymore. It turned out to be something in the piriformis, but also sciatica. I think they gave him some muscle relaxants. They did the trick. He had no idea how it started, but was sure happy when it was gone. Knock on wood, it hasn't returned.

I hope you can eventually get some relief.

Re: Pain in the butt - literally (aka piriformis syndrome?)

Annabellethecat66 — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 00:12:48 GMT

I have severe back problems. One thing that happens is my back muscles contract. It goes down through the cheek and leg.

Anyway, I've had procedures done that most people never heard of.

Something I recently had done (again) that helped for a little while was my Dr's PA used a new machine they'd just gotten that actually shows where the tightest muscles are and she injected them with a muscle relaxant from my back all through the cheek and thigh.

It only lasted about 2 weeks, but it was wonderful relief. You might look into something like that.

I'm sorry you are in so much pain. Pain, I really understand. I'm sorry.

Re: Pain in the butt - literally (aka piriformis syndrome?)

appleseed — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 00:39:42 GMT

Thank you both! Annabelle, what kind of doctor did you see? Was that at the orthopedists? Or chiro? I don't know who to start with...

Re: Pain in the butt - literally (aka piriformis syndrome?)

lolakimono — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 00:43:58 GMT

I feel your pain.

I have activities that are OK, and then the next day I pay for it. I do pilates and yoga, to keep the muscles stretched out. I also bought one of those %*#$ foam rollers from Amazon but it is like rolling over your muscles with barbed wire. In the meantime, until I can get myself to using it on a regular basis I have done the following things:

regular acupuncture sessions (sometimes in the back, sometimes in the other muscles)

I average about twice a month at the chiropractor

daily supplements: turmeric and magnesium (Natural Calm)

At work, I have one of these chairs :

(it's on sale now)

Re: Pain in the butt - literally (aka piriformis syndrome?)

violann — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 00:55:20 GMT

I moved a very heavy object by carrying it up a flight of stairs ON MY HIP, and my stupidity caused Piriformus syndrome, and it was so bad I had trouble walking for almost four months. A massage by an excellent massage therapist REALLY helped. The pain went from my butt all the way around my leg to below my knee. After the massage, I did the roller exercises at home by myself. I also had Iliotibial-tibial band syndrome with it. And major embarrassment that I'd really done it to myself.

Re: Pain in the butt - literally (aka piriformis syndrome?)

hckynut — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 01:05:03 GMT

On 8/16/2014 acim said:
Several years ago, I developed pain in the side of my hip, which was diagnosed as hip bursitis. I was told by the physical therapist that the cause was weak and tight BUTT muscles. Due to the weakness and tightness, apparently my gluteus muscles do not contribute enough to my walking stride, so more of the stress is on my outer hips and thighs. I've done lots of stretching and gluteus strengthening exercises, but my butt continues to HURT when I walk! It just seems that the tightness and weakness just won't subside long enough for the proper functioning of my legs and hips and rear to kick in. I've been told this can be called piriformis syndrome Anyone else hear of this or have it?

Did anyone do an MRI to rule out a spinal nerve issue? With L-5/S-1 ruptured spinal discs I experienced that same thing along with the sciatic nerve. The type of pain I experienced is not the type where someone would not seek immediate medical attention.

Also had ITBS which also many times surfaces in the glutes. This however is nothing as far as the pain level compared to sciatic problems. It is more of an ache but does cause one to maybe walk differently which many times causes a "secondary injury", many times this ends up being worse than the primary cause.

If you haven't had an MRI it might be something for you to consider.

Re: Pain in the butt - literally (aka piriformis syndrome?)

Enufstuff — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 01:12:22 GMT

Seven years ago, I developed the same pain. After two months of physical therapy that my primary physician ordered, I still had the pain. I went to a pain center and the doctors there diagnosed it as piriformis syndrome. I had never heard of this before. They gave me an injection which I don't exactly remember what it was. I think that it was a local anesthetic first, probably lidocaine. Then they gave me another injection which I believe was a corticosteroid. I had to have someone take me, because I could not drive afterwards. I had to have my daughter help me walk to the car, since the leg on that side could not hold me up. After a few days of applying ice and resting, it was better. The injection was the cure for the pain that I had endured for months, before it was diagnosed. The piriformis syndrome has not returned and I hope that it never does. I hope that you can find a doctor who is familiar with this. Is there a pain center where you live? Physical therapy will do nothing for the pain. Before I even went to my primary care doctor, I had tried stretches, exercise, heat and ice. Nothing helped but the injection right into the muscle.I hope that you find relief soon.

Re: Pain in the butt - literally (aka piriformis syndrome?)

Slainte — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 01:17:27 GMT

First get the spine checked out like John and the others suggested. If your are structurally okay and it's a tight muscle, there are lots of stretches and yoga positions for piriformis syndrome on YouTube. Here are three to start out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkgYDF2QnsU

http://www.dailybandha.com/2013/10/the-piriformis-muscle-and-yoga-part-i.html?spref=fb

If I don't stretch out often, I get fiery, shooting pain down my right leg from a too tight piriformis muscle. Bad shoes can often trigger the pain, but I could just turn wrong and there it is. Stretching really does work, but it does need to be done as part of a regular routine.

Hope it's just a tight muscle and the stretches help.

Re: Pain in the butt - literally (aka piriformis syndrome?)

MathisFan — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 01:25:17 GMT

My younger daughter was just diagnosed with Piriformis Syndrome (inflammation of the area surrounding the sciatic nerve) 2 days ago. She was having terrible hip and leg pain. She received a steroid injection plus a pain reliever the other night in the ER. She was prescribed muscle relaxers and pain meds. It's somewhat better but still hurting.

Re: Pain in the butt - literally (aka piriformis syndrome?)

Tallgal — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 02:21:22 GMT

I have heard of this, don't know if I have it, but I know I have problems with sciatic nerve pain. I just started running 3 weeks ago, doing the couch to 5k program and have been dealing with pain on my right side in my glutes and it hurts. My pain doesn't sound as bad as others but before I run I do high knees and kicks, I also switched the type of running shoes I use and how I run, I land mid foot now. At the running store, the sales person suggested that I get a lacrosse ball to help do deep massage of this area. So stretching before and after running and the lacrosse ball has helped me be able to run 3 times a week.

Re: Pain in the butt - literally (aka piriformis syndrome?)

PamB226 — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 02:27:44 GMT

You might want to get a second opinion.....My buttocks use to hurt a lot. Eventually found out I have Spinal Stenosis (Arthritis) at the L4 & L5, so when my muscles and tendons would rub over the bone spurs, it would cause them to tighten up which caused nerves to be pinched, which caused my buttocks to hurt.

Re: Pain in the butt - literally (aka piriformis syndrome?)

figit — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 04:11:32 GMT

Having had two spinal fusion surgeries in the last three years, I can say for sure that I think “Hickynut” is right. You need to get a doctor’s opinion on what is causing the pain. I know way too much about spinal nerve problems now as my second surgery was a repair to redo failure of a poorly performed first procedure. I have had severe (in the labor pain range) pain from the nerve damage for three years now.

Your piriformis muscle is a small muscle in your buttocks. My understanding is that in some people the sciatic nerve goes through this muscle and gets compressed or just gets compressed against the pelvic bone. I believe it is often associated with damage to the lower back, Sciatica or anything that causes swelling or inflammation of this muscle. There is another condition called SI Joint Dysfunction that can also cause pain of a similar type. At any rate you can find lots of info if you Google Piriformis Syndrome. I am not any type of doctor though so I would really suggest you start at least with your primary and get some direction. You do not want to wait until you are at the surgical point to follow up. Your primary should be able to direct you to an orthopedist or neurosurgeon based on tests he orders. Hope this helps and I really feel for you.

Re: Pain in the butt - literally (aka piriformis syndrome?)

Nightowlz — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 05:29:40 GMT

I have had this & it's painful. I still get flare ups sometimes. It hurt down to my knee & down the back of my leg. It felt like that band was too short. I have 2 of those Goosebumps massage balls that Q used to sell. They are acupressure balls. DH would massage that area or I would lie on the bed & press down on it in that area. It really helped. It hurt when I pressed on the area with it but it got rid of the pain eventually with daily massages. Hope you can find some relief. I also sat in a chair & put my foot on my other knee & pushed down on my knee that I had with my foot over the other knee if that makes any sense to you. I saw this online & tried it. It also helps. There are other stretches online.

Re: Pain in the butt - literally (aka piriformis syndrome?)

qualitygal — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 11:27:49 GMT

Very interesting, I'm going to read up on it more. I learn daily. Thanks for posting about this.

Re: Pain in the butt - literally (aka piriformis syndrome?)

narcisse — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 12:05:52 GMT

I bookmarked this youtube video in case I ever had a muscle problem. The youtuber talks about her experiences with a myopractic therapist. I've never heard of this before. Don't know if it would work for you or not, but seems it might be worth a try:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zVCxTfXHFY&list=UUtMPhPuuNR9aDHjb6Jd7kCA

Re: Pain in the butt - literally (aka piriformis syndrome?)

violann — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 17:32:01 GMT

Hi nightowlz- just wanted to mention that if you have been told to do the knee pushing exercise by a doctor or therapist, it does wonders, but it hurts like mad when you do it, if you're doing it right. Don't give up!

Re: Pain in the butt - literally (aka piriformis syndrome?)

Nightowlz — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 18:29:22 GMT

On 8/17/2014 violann said: Hi nightowlz- just wanted to mention that if you have been told to do the knee pushing exercise by a doctor or therapist, it does wonders, but it hurts like mad when you do it, if you're doing it right. Don't give up!

Hi Violann, I know if hurts but it works.

Re: Pain in the butt - literally (aka piriformis syndrome?)

Enufstuff — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 19:24:23 GMT

kingofcool1947,

I don't really think that someone's weight has any bearing on piriformis syndrome.

when I got it, I may have been 15 pounds over what I would like to have been.

Re: Pain in the butt - literally (aka piriformis syndrome?)

appleseed — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 01:54:01 GMT

I REALLY appreciate all of the replies to my original post! Truly, I had no idea that this was such a common disorder. Yes, I do realize this could be related to a spinal/disc issue, and that thought scares me more than piriformis syndrome. I'm going to ask my primary to order an mri when I see her on Tuesday. I will let you all know what she says and what she advises in the meantime. Keep stretching!

(BTW, I do that foot over knee stretch, and YOUCH that does hurt!)