Piriformis and Pudendal nerve pain

[Louise778]

Can piriformis be damaged by deep tissue massage and dry needling as I had very bad pain after getting this done a year ago, I had Pudendal nerve pain before this and had tingling in my foot but not in piriformis. Now have a numb feeling there like the muscle has become weak, have pain in buttock and leg when exercising and my foot burns a lot when I exercise or walk. Also have pain now in my right hip as my right side is taking all the pressure.

[Pinky2233]

Hi Louise

I know when pain spreads it can could squeezing to the purifier is muscle

Yoga is great for this: pigeon pose or log pose

[Betsy-Blue]

Hi, I’ve just had dry needling & deep tissue (3daysago) massage done recently as suffered from Piraformis Syndrome for 9 years. I live in the U.K.

Later after treatment buttock areas and legs hurt a lot. But next day seemed to be much better. Can still feel tingling and muscle soreness but not as bad.

I did ask the Sports Therapist (Private not NHS) could the dry needling cause damage, she said that it would only be temporary if it did make things worse, as nerves heal but can take time, but it is very rare that this happens.

I am booked in for another session next Tuesday, I plan to have 3 sessions as this is what was recommended by a NHS physiotherapist.

I have also in the past used Osteopathy and Accupuncture, both help but comes symptoms do come back.

I exercise & stretch everyday and also take Alpha Lipoic Acid 900mg per day, B12 and I have Nortryptline 20mg per day all for nerve pain associated with the muscles in spasm pulling the ligaments and tendons and ultimately affecting the nerve endings.

My next thing to try is to get injection directly into the Piraformis (not sure if this is steroid or botox).

I have Piraformis problem to both sides of my body, which is unusual.

I have also had Pudendal nerve symptoms earlier in the year after a Smear test. I think my muscles are so tight & tense that this did not help when I had the test. Nerves take a while to heal, but I know the tight muscles and trigger points make us in a bit of a circle with things.

Do you use a ball to sit on your trigger points of pain? 30seconds on each point, including underneath.

Will let you know how I’m doing after my next treatment next week. I don’t think this will ever be cured, but if can get to a more tolerable level & maintain that might be all the can be expected.

Best wishes

[Louise778 in reply to Betsy-Blue]

Thanks for the advice, I never had any issues with my piriformis but the Physio assumed it was causing my burning foot and leg as she said it wasn't from my back. I think the burning was from the Pudendal nerve irritating the sciatic nerve. My piriformis was so painful the past year now and is not the same as my nerves were already very sensitive due to the PN pain. The PN pain has gotten slightly better now Any exercise I get pain in my left buttock and burning in my foot and my leg aches. I have tried foam rolling it helps a bit but still have numb tingly feeling there down to foot so I'm worried the nerves are damaged.