There are a wide variety of issues that could impact the back and buttocks, and one of them is called piriformis syndrome. This is a condition that can have a significant impact on your overall quality of life. The piriformis muscle can irritate nerves in the nearby area, leading to significant pain and numbness, particularly along the back of the leg. Even though there are some people who believe they need to take prescription medications or undergo a surgical procedure, this is not always the case. A trained chiropractor can help someone address the issues related to piriformis syndrome, putting them in the best possible position to make a recovery.
What Is the Cause of Piriformis Syndrome?
Similar to other medical conditions, there are numerous possible causes of piriformis syndrome. Some of the most common causes include:
· Some people develop muscle spasms in the piriformis muscle because something is irritating the hip, leg, or back.
· There are situations where the piriformis muscle can tighten up in response to a significant injury, leading to piriformis syndrome.
· Due to a prior injury, the piriformis muscle could swell, leading to numerous symptoms.
· There might also be slight bleeding in the piriformis muscle, leading to significant problems.
If the piriformis muscle expands or begins to spasm, it can lead to significant irritation of the sciatic nerve, causing a variety of possible symptoms.
What Are the Possible Symptoms?
Just like other medical conditions, the exact symptoms of piriformis syndrome can vary significantly depending on its scope and severity. Some of the most common symptoms include:
· People with piriformis syndrome often develop tenderness in the buttocks.
· They may feel a shooting pain that leaves the back and travels down the calf and foot.
· This pain could get worse when someone tries to walk up or down the stairs.
· Sitting for a prolonged period of time can lead to significant discomfort.
· People with piriformis syndrome are often unable to move the hip joint as much as they once could.
· Walking and running might make the pain feel better.
Some people with piriformis syndrome may only experience one or two of these symptoms, while other people may experience all of the symptoms above.
How Can a Chiropractor Help?
There are a number of ways that a chiropractor can help. First, your chiropractor will take a complete history and do a full physical exam to understand exactly where the issue is coming from. Then, she can take a look at the spine and make sure everything is in the correct and proper alignment.
There are situations where the bones, ligaments, and tendons might not be properly aligned in the spine, hips, or even the pelvis and this can lead to irritation of the piriformis muscle, causing it to cramp or spasm. As a result, it could irritate the sciatic nerve, leading to many of the symptoms above.
Then, a chiropractor will help someone understand what they can do to prevent this issue from coming back. That way, a chiropractor will address the root cause, helping people not only get better but also stay better. Effective treatments for piriformis syndrome can significantly improve someone's overall quality of life.
Piriformis syndrome is a serious issue involving the back, pelvis, and hip. Even though some people might think they need to undergo a dangerous surgical procedure, there are other treatment options available. A chiropractor can use adjustments to help address the root cause of piriformis syndrome. This will not only treat the symptoms on the surface but also get to the bottom of why someone might be experiencing irritation. Effective treatments for piriformis syndrome can significantly improve someone's overall quality of life.
If you, a loved one, or a friend is suffering from piriformis syndrome, give us a call. Our Doctor of Chiropractic is trained to help not only alleviate the pain associated with this condition but also correct the root cause. So quit suffering needlessly.