Piriformis syndrome - sciatica and back pain
Piriformis syndrome - sciatica and back pain.
Developing a piriformis syndrome is possible when there is a loss of neurophysiological and biomechanical equilibrium between the spine pelvis and legs. Located in the hip, beneath the buttock muscles are the small deep muscles, the external rotators of the leg. gemelli, upper and lower, internal and external obturators, quadratus Femoris and last but not least, the piriformis. The deep muscles not only rotate and stabilize the legs, but they play an important role in balance between your pelvis, legs and lumbar spine. If the muscles of one hip are contracted, the pelvis will be pulled and rotated to one side causing an imbalance in the lower back. This functional torsion of the pelvis then causes a physiological short leg (to better understand the piriformis syndrome read the short leg syndrome, but to understand these problems in their complete context read A LAST RESORT). If the muscles of both hips are contracted, the normal pelvic movement will be decreased and the lower back will be need to compensate for this loss of flexibility.
Developing a piriformis syndrome is possible when there is a loss of neurophysiological and biomechanical equilibrium between the spine pelvis and legs. Located in the hip, beneath the buttock muscles are the small deep muscles, the external rotators of the leg. gemelli, upper and lower, internal and external obturators, quadratus Femoris and last but not least, the piriformis. The deep muscles not only rotate and stabilize the legs, but they play an important role in balance between your pelvis, legs and lumbar spine. If the muscles of one hip are contracted, the pelvis will be pulled and rotated to one side causing an imbalance in the lower back. This functional torsion of the pelvis then causes a physiological short leg (to better understand the piriformis syndrome read the short leg syndrome, but to understand these problems in their complete context read A LAST RESORT). If the muscles of both hips are contracted, the normal pelvic movement will be decreased and the lower back will be need to compensate for this loss of flexibility.
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The piriformis and sciatica
Trigger points in the deep muscles can cause pain in the pelvis and refer a sciatic like pain to the legs and also contribute to other disorders such as cramps. If any combination of these muscles are chronically shortened there is then a constant functional overload the articular tissues, contributing significantly to lumbar, hip, knee, ankle and foot pathology. One of the deep muscles, the piriformis muscle specifically, is important because of its tendency to cause sciatic pain. |
Sciatica from the piriformis muscle
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This sciatic pain may start in the lower back or in the hip, often projecting down the back or the side of the leg or around the hip. Piriformis syndrome is caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve where it leaves the pelvis through the sciatic notch. If the Piriformis is chronically contracted, the sciatic nerve is squeezed between the muscle and the hip bone. For example, people who sit for hours at a desk all can provoke contracture of the muscles of the pelvic girdle. Motorists can suffer from piriformis syndrome simply by driving many hours nonstop. Keeping the piriformis and the other deep muscles of the hip equilibrated, coordinated and flexible, you can reduce the possibility of having back, hip or leg pain.
Remember, self treatment does not replace the care of a professional. Pain in the lower back or leg are caused by many factors. Consult your chiropractor if you have pain or if you suspect you have a problem.