topic Re: Piriformus syndrome in Wellness

Piriformus syndrome

bonnielu — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 15:40:43 GMT

I fell about a month ago on the dance floor. Nothing broken but now I have Piriformus syndrome which is muscle spasms when I walk most of the time.

I have gone to a chiropractor, a physical therapist, and "bone" doctor. All good sources but they never seem to agree. If anyone has had any luck please let me know how.

I have exercises. I have a tenz machine I have ice. Heat does not woirk.

I wonder if a massage therapist might be the one who will help me.

I am a dancer so I am very deprssed. I start out walking and then the intense nerve pain in my hip and leg happens.

Note:

Piriformis syndrome is a condition in which the piriformis muscle, located in the buttock region, spasms and causes buttock pain. The piriformis muscle can also irritate the nearby sciatic nerve and cause pain, numbness and tingling along the back of the leg and into the foot (similar to sciatic pain).

Re: Piriformus syndrome

violann — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 15:45:09 GMT

I was going to suggest a message therapist before I saw that you were already considering one.

I had access when I had my problem to a wonderful hospital based massage therapy program.

I too had tried EVERYTHING, and I was still all but unable to walk. ONE SESSION with the therapist, and I was back in business. Now I do the stretches without fail EVERY MORNING.

Horrible condition! I hope you have relief soon!

Re: Piriformus syndrome

Debzzz — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 15:48:07 GMT

I was diagnosed with piriformis about this time last year. I could barely walk. I went to a brilliant chiropractor 2x a week, did the tenz at his office for about a month. I also took it easy and rested more than usual.

We we were going on vacation first of April and by then, I was about 70%. I wasn't able to ride bikes or hike during vacation but as least I was walking. It took about another month to heal.

Hoping for a quick and complete recovery for you, I know how debilitating the pain can be.

Re: Piriformus syndrome

Debzzz — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 15:49:19 GMT

@violann Thanks for reminding me to stretch!

Re: Piriformus syndrome

sweetee2 — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 15:56:10 GMT

When you went to the chiropractor did he a just you or did you just Talk? You might have something out of a linement that is pinching a nerve, also I'm a big fan of massage therapy. My DIL is a therapist and it is amazing what is can do when I have a pinch nerve in my shoulder. 5 minutes and it gone. She works with a chiropractor. I would find a good massage therapist. They work on not only muscles also nerves, relaxation of the muscles. I'm so sorry.

Re: Piriformus syndrome

henderson — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 16:03:39 GMT

I can understand your frustrations. I have lower back pain and so far nothing has helped except pain meds. Have tried nerve blocks, don't qualify for an ablation, etc. and have seen a pain management dr. for over a year.

I now have acupuncture as an insurance benefit and I went last Friday. The needles were fine, but the electro part they did caused more pain when I got home. I can't use a TENS unit as it hurts (tried it at PT). I'm praying that acupuncture will help -- when I go next Wed. I'm going to tell them "needles only". I'm getting a massage tomorrow and I don't get as many as I'd like because of the cost.

Re: Piriformus syndrome

ruthbe — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 16:08:49 GMT

I had had the condition and I totally understand how much it hurts. I used massage therapy and acupuncture. It worked for me. Best of luck to you.

Re: Piriformus syndrome

chrystaltree — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 16:09:40 GMT

Bone doctor? Do you mean orthopedic specialist? And it's aTENS machine. You are seeing a doctors, what did they say about massage therapy? You must have asked. Having said that, maybe you need to see a new doctor. The standard treatment for this muscle strain that puts pressure on the sciatic nerve includes sterioid injections, muscle relaxants and antiflammatory meds. They need to reduce the inflammaton which then takes pressure off the nerve which then alleviates the pain. Sometimes they do Botox injections into the muscle to relax the tight or contracted muscle. It can take while but honestly, it appears that you haven't received any real treatment at all. Which is bizarre.

Re: Piriformus syndrome

Quse — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 16:09:41 GMT

A medical massage therapist can do wonders for this. You might have to try a few different ones to get one you like, but stick with the ones that work mainy with medical issues, not the spa type therapists.

The thing that helps me the most is stretching on the aeropilates machine and strengthening the inner thigh muscles. If you are a dancer you are likely very "laterally rotated" in the legs, meaning, when you lay on your back, your feet naturally tend to rest in an outward facing position. Likely your abductor muscles (muscles that pull your legs away from your body) are used more and cause an imbalance. Strengthening your adductor muscles will help the imbalance. The piriformis is a nasty little muscle that can cause problems depending on where it lies regarding the sciatic nerve. Some people have a piriformis that runs underneath the nerve, some over, and some unfortunate people actually have the nreve run through the muscle itself. The only way to find out how yours lies is to do an autopsy (not recommended..lol)
Stretching helps a lot, but you have to help the imbalance by strengthening the opposing muscles. Two other things that help me tremendously is a muscle spasm release system called Fenix Rehab System (Amazon has some I think) I call it laying on my bed of nails..lol but it releases the spasms. Also, a percussion massager for at home use called Pado helps me.

Re: Piriformus syndrome

chrystaltree — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 17:20:00 GMT

@Quse wrote:
A medical massage therapist can do wonders for this. You might have to try a few different ones to get one you like, but stick with the ones that work mainy with medical issues, not the spa type therapists.

The thing that helps me the most is stretching on the aeropilates machine and strengthening the inner thigh muscles. If you are a dancer you are likely very "laterally rotated" in the legs, meaning, when you lay on your back, your feet naturally tend to rest in an outward facing position. Likely your abductor muscles (muscles that pull your legs away from your body) are used more and cause an imbalance. Strengthening your adductor muscles will help the imbalance. The piriformis is a nasty little muscle that can cause problems depending on where it lies regarding the sciatic nerve. Some people have a piriformis that runs underneath the nerve, some over, and some unfortunate people actually have the nreve run through the muscle itself. The only way to find out how yours lies is to do an autopsy (not recommended..lol)
Stretching helps a lot, but you have to help the imbalance by strengthening the opposing muscles. Two other things that help me tremendously is a muscle spasm release system called Fenix Rehab System (Amazon has some I think) I call it laying on my bed of nails..lol but it releases the spasms. Also, a percussion massager for at home use called Pado helps me.

I think that's good advice for when she's over the crisis she's in now. Right now, she has that injury and she's in pain and I think the very last thing she would want to do now is any time of exercise or stretching that her doc or PT did not specifically recommend.

Re: Piriformus syndrome

millieshops — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 17:21:00 GMT

@sweetee2 I think if I won lottto, I'd go for therapeutic massage on a regular basis instead of waiting until pain demands it. You are fortunate to have those knowledgeable fingers available "in house."

Re: Piriformus syndrome

Poodlepet2 — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 17:47:43 GMT

I have read a lot about this is Dance Magazine, and it's somewhat common among dancers-and can be career ending....For the ones who were able to continue in their careers, I have read about one or two who had some sort of surgery followed by intense gruelling therapy.....I would think about possibly returning to PT.....and possibly seeking out a pain specialist. Contrary to what many believe, they may or may not offer medication in combination with other treatment modalities.

...in the same realm, but Sports Rehabilitative Medicine may be another avenue: bones are somewhat easy and quick to heal, but soft tissue isn't and improvement may take time. Don't give up-

Feel better,

Poodlepet2

Re: Piriformus syndrome

Poodlepet2 — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 17:57:34 GMT

I just remembered-there were also a few articles about Piriformis in Dance Spirit that might be worth investigating back issues.....Don't despair: as I said, I have read a few success stories and they were in those magazines for a reason: to educate and encourage....

What type of dance are you involved in-not that it matters because with any genre, it's strenuous and hazards are involved. Are you a professional?

BTW, I am 56 and don't dance, but lessons I learned from years of Ballet, Modern and East Indian and the love of the Dance-has never left me.....and that's why I read those magazines-just to see what's happening....

Poodlepet2

Re: Piriformus syndrome

Snowpuppy — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 18:59:25 GMT

I had it for the better part of a year. Truly intense pain that was like someone but a bullseye square in the middle of each butt cheek!

Massage therapy helped tremendously and she gave me a book on stretching. More rest as others have said and I took 800mg ibuprofen by script when it really acted up.

It can resolve so it may not end your love of dance.

Re: Piriformus syndrome

pupwhipped — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 00:08:36 GMT

@bonnielu, I don't know how much helpful advice I can give, but I sure can commiserate with you. I'm beginning to think this is what I have along with possibly IT band syndrome. I had arthroscopic knee surgery last year in October and I've been awful ever since. My knee is not great at all, but my leg/hip have definite problems, too. Since surgery it's almost like my leg died or something. Today was a good example. I had to go to the grocery store as my husband is ill...he's been doing all of the shopping cause I cannot walk for more then 20 minutes or so before my knee seizes up and I'm scr*wed. I went today and tried my best. I mostly did the peg leg walk. But then my hip started killing me and when I got home there was intense pain right in the middle of my buttock...still hurting now hours later. Ugh.

I will tell you this. I did have one session of massage therapy about a month ago. It really did help me. But geez, it was painful at times when she was doing the pressure points. I wanted to scream Uncle! But I felt better afterwards. I am going to go back and have another one...been out of town the last couple weeks so couldn't get back. I've done lots of physical therapy for my knee/leg over the last many months but it has not really helped anything. I've actually been thinking about seeing a chiropractor next, but you said you've already done that.

Anyway, just wanted to say I can relate somewhat to you. And to think I'd never even heard of piriformis syndrome before this. Good luck to you. I hope you can get back to your dancing very soon!

Re: Piriformus syndrome

Quse — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 00:26:26 GMT

@chrystaltree wrote:
@Quse wrote:
A medical massage therapist can do wonders for this. You might have to try a few different ones to get one you like, but stick with the ones that work mainy with medical issues, not the spa type therapists.

The thing that helps me the most is stretching on the aeropilates machine and strengthening the inner thigh muscles. If you are a dancer you are likely very "laterally rotated" in the legs, meaning, when you lay on your back, your feet naturally tend to rest in an outward facing position. Likely your abductor muscles (muscles that pull your legs away from your body) are used more and cause an imbalance. Strengthening your adductor muscles will help the imbalance. The piriformis is a nasty little muscle that can cause problems depending on where it lies regarding the sciatic nerve. Some people have a piriformis that runs underneath the nerve, some over, and some unfortunate people actually have the nreve run through the muscle itself. The only way to find out how yours lies is to do an autopsy (not recommended..lol)
Stretching helps a lot, but you have to help the imbalance by strengthening the opposing muscles. Two other things that help me tremendously is a muscle spasm release system called Fenix Rehab System (Amazon has some I think) I call it laying on my bed of nails..lol but it releases the spasms. Also, a percussion massager for at home use called Pado helps me.

I think that's good advice for when she's over the crisis she's in now. Right now, she has that injury and she's in pain and I think the very last thing she would want to do now is any time of exercise or stretching that her doc or PT did not specifically recommend.

@chrystaltree I am a medical massage therapist and have worked on many people with piriformis syndrome. A month old injury is usually past the acute stage, unless there is something else going on. Barring any herniated discs or other undiagnosed anomaly, most people need to break the pain/spasm/pain cycle and relief will come. Physical therapists tend to focus on range of motion, chiro's bones...what is needed is a good medical massage therapist, preferably one that deals with this often

Re: Piriformus syndrome

SeaMaiden — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 03:00:38 GMT

@bonnielu Please look into Rolfing. Studies have shown that those with neurological impairments such as carpal tunnel syndrome, piriformis syndrome and pronator syndrome can benefit from this structural realignment. Rolfing helped me tremendously a few years back with terrible back pain.

https://www.drweil.com/health-wellness/balanced-living/wellness-therapies/rolfing/

Re: Piriformus syndrome

Quse — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 17:10:50 GMT

@SeaMaiden wrote:
@bonnielu Please look into Rolfing. Studies have shown that those with neurological impairments such as carpal tunnel syndrome, piriformis syndrome and pronator syndrome can benefit from this structural realignment. Rolfing helped me tremendously a few years back with terrible back pain.

https://www.drweil.com/health-wellness/balanced-living/wellness-therapies/rolfing/

Rolfing is very good, if you can find a practitioner in your area. Most Rolfing practitioners will also want you to commit to a series a treatments.
What you DON'T want is a massage therapist that is going to just "rub" the area or you will end up with a mess.

Re: Piriformus syndrome

Nightowlz — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 20:50:38 GMT

I had that or pretty sure that's what I had. I looked online & did the stretches it shows. DH also massaged the area with one of those Goosebump Massage Balls Q sold years ago which helped a lot. Hope you can find relief. I know it's painful. My hurt from my buttock down to my knee.

Re: Piriformus syndrome

jaxs mom — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 21:20:24 GMT

@bonnielu wrote:
I fell about a month ago on the dance floor. Nothing broken but now I have Piriformus syndrome which is muscle spasms when I walk most of the time.

I have gone to a chiropractor, a physical therapist, and "bone" doctor. All good sources but they never seem to agree. If anyone has had any luck please let me know how.

I have exercises. I have a tenz machine I have ice. Heat does not woirk.

I wonder if a massage therapist might be the one who will help me.

I am a dancer so I am very deprssed. I start out walking and then the intense nerve pain in my hip and leg happens.

Note:

Piriformis syndrome is a condition in which the piriformis muscle, located in the buttock region, spasms and causes buttock pain. The piriformis muscle can also irritate the nearby sciatic nerve and cause pain, numbness and tingling along the back of the leg and into the foot (similar to sciatic pain).

My husband has had it for probably five years. It comes and goes. Chiro hasn't cured it but had some relief for awhile. He also quit sitting with his wallet in his back pocket. I've tried to get him to do pilates. Have you tried pilates? They do have some good reformer movements for that area. I love my reformer but I don't have the same issues so I can't say for sure if it helps.