Piriformis

[Betsy50]

Hi everyone not bern on for a while hope you are all well. Omg I've had piriformis for 2 months and it agitating the sciatic nerve the pain is horrendous!!!! Got muscle relaxant but it ain't shifting. Anyone else had this ?

[Madlegs1]

That's extremely sore and debilitating.I had it for a long time. Someone here recommended a massage gun - Bob n Brad from Amazon. I got one and put it on the trigger point at highest level ( not necessarily recommended 🤔😥)

It fixed it overnight.!!!

If that is too severe sounding, then I would inquire about dry needling, from someone who is recommended personally.

Good luck.

And do something, because it won't go away on it's own!

[Betsy50 in reply to Madlegs1]

Hi madlegs 1 thanks for replying. Oh it is so so painful !!! Been using 2 different massage machines I have its floored me for weeks now. Think I'll need to try something different they cant give me anymore meds that I'm already on

[Madlegs1 in reply to Betsy50]

Meds won't help.Need a good physical therapist who can get right into the point.

Not a physiotherapist.

Stretches on YouTube.

[Betsy50 in reply to Madlegs1]

So what's the difference between them ? I'm seeing an advanced physiotherapist atm

[Madlegs1 in reply to Betsy50]

Generally, physiotherapists don't do deep tissue massage.In my experience, they just use light electrical therapy- tens etc, and print out a range of exercises for you to do.

A physical therapist will do deep tissue massage- get right into the muscles, and really stretch your range of mobility. A good sports therapist will do the same.

Some of them are also experienced dry needlers.

[Betsy50 in reply to Madlegs1]

Ah okay I get you I will look into this. Can I ask see once you get piriformis are you prone to it more often ? I had to cancel our trip to canada last year due to a hip injury and I'm going in june so a bit concerned. I really appreciate your feedback thank you so very much x

[Madlegs1 in reply to Betsy50]

Not sure about that. I still have issues with lower back and hip pain. Just cannot get rid of it.

But the piriformis has not returned.

But I am doing lots of stretching etc.

Keeping as supple as possible is incredibly important.

Good luck.

[Bevvy]

I don’t have piriformis but have had issues with sciatica for some years. Recently I experienced severe pain/agony which resulted in emergency spinal surgery. For the pain I was taking Tramadol with paracetamol. Since surgery I have been taking duloxetine which is for nerve pain.

Over the years I have had no success with physiotherapist treatment but have found some help from osteopath practitioners. I understand that when in agony for prolonged periods of time you will try anything and as suggested osteopathic treatment has helped me.

[Betsy50 in reply to Bevvy]

Hi bevy thanks for replying. I had back surgery in 1999 L5 dissected and had sciatica since before the operation which was an emergency due to cauda equina syndrome I'm on meds for my bowels for life. Had lots of issues over the years diagnosed with fibromyalgia too. This piriformis is the first ever and it truly is horrendous could only offer me muscle relaxant as I'm on alot of meds already x

[Bevvy in reply to Betsy50]

Yes my emergency surgery was due to CES. Only operated on in December so quite a long way from recovery ☹️. My pain previously was off the scale. I REALLY hope you find something to elevate your pain as soon as possible. Either via drug regime or alternative treatments.

[Betsy50 in reply to Bevvy]

Oh I hear ye sciatica and back pain just awful lived with it for over 30 years. I wish you a speedy recovery just takes time to gain your confidence again but you will when your ready x

[Alice70]

Hi ,I have or supposedly have piriformis, I've been in some pain with it for five .months now all on right side ,sports phisio diagnosed mine ,my gp says it's not piriformis as gone on to long ,I am thinkinking of going private to see osteopath as NhS waiting list to long ,my pain is in right buttock, hip that can be a stabbing pain sometimes ,side of thigh coming towards front of thigh down to knee ,is your pain similar, who diagnosed yours

[Hidenseek2021 in reply to Alice70]

I hear you I have suffered a flare up over Easter and had to cancel trip. I wore the 24 hour heat patches for two days and had two days bed rest which helped the pyriformid and sciatic nerve I still have issues when I walk with a dull ache down right thigh. Heat helps me tremendously goodluck please no you are not alone . It’s my second flare up the first I ended up in hospital they gave me codeine and naproxen and paracetamol which is what I manage with now. Good luck

[myfanwy1945]

Yes, I have it and as you say, the pain is horendous. I am booked in to have a pain-killing injection, I had to go private and it cost £450.00, which is a lot of money, bu8t worth it, I hope!

[myfanwy1945]

I did look at the excercises for Piriformis Syndrome, but they don't work. I also saw 2 physiotherapist.

[timbowPSP]

Hi Betsy .... sounds like you may be in US? I was a Bowen/NST therapist in UK till recent, and have 'fixed' severe sciatica by working on the piriformis, which is a muscle in the bum cheek (it's not a condition!). May be able to give you a contact, if you tell me what town/city/area that you are. Best of luck with it. TimbowPSP

[Sunsetzzs]

Hi All,

I also have piriformis and SI issues. In my case, I’m told it’s from sitting on a soft chair. I’ve seen a physical therapist and a message therapist- both helped it get better, but it comes back again after sitting. I have found this woman on YouTube with excellent stretches that help: 5 best sciatica stretches for piriformis syndrome - Ask Dr Jo

Otherwise I’m looking for an ergonomic chair that’s more affordable than the Stressless.

[Fayemiss]

Hi Betsy

I too have suffered with piriformis syndrome, my g.p had put this down to sciatica and basically sent me on my way!

After a while my partner booked me in with someone who had began practicing KCR therapy at a local gym.

The therapist could tell me straight away the issue I was having was with my left leg which I also suffer with hip issues in. He could also tell me my more recent pain issue wasn't with my sciatic nerve, but my piriformis muscle! He continued with my session finally getting to the area of most pain at that time which was the piriformis. He used his elbow to start neading out the large knot that it had tightened into, I can't say this wasn't painful as it really was but that amount if pain for the tiny span it truly was, was nothing in comparison to the many weeks and months prior! I have to say I haven't had any issues since unless I'm doing something physical like using a mop or brush that sometimes gives me a twinge letting me know I have to change my position to prevent this happening again! I hope this is of use to you?

Kinetic Chain Release Therapy.