Piriformis syndrome, commonly known as sciatica, is a neuromuscular condition resulting from the compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve by the piriformis muscle. This leads to pain, tingling, and numbness in the buttocks and along the sciatic nerve's path. In about 15% of people, the sciatic nerve passes through the piriformis muscle instead of underneath it, making them more prone to piriformis syndrome.
Symptoms of Sciatica:
Pins and needles, numbness, and weakness in the buttocks, potentially extending to the lower back and down the legs to the feet.
Pain may intensify with activities that increase intrathecal pressure, such as coughing, sneezing, or bowel movements.
Causes of Sciatica:
Inactive gluteal muscles, essential for hip extension and aiding the piriformis in femur rotation. Inactivity often results from prolonged sitting, causing hip flexors (psoas major, iliacus, and rectus femoris) to become tight and short, leading to gluteal muscles' inactivity. This forces the hamstrings, adductors, and piriformis to overcompensate, potentially causing hypertrophy of the piriformis and subsequent sciatica symptoms.
Athletes engaged in forward-moving activities like running and cycling are particularly susceptible if they neglect stretching and strengthening exercises. Imbalances from these activities can lead to weak hip abductors and tight adductors, causing the piriformis muscle to contract and compress the sciatic nerve.
Sacroiliac joint stiffness, leading to compensatory gait changes and piriformis spasm.
Overpronation of the feet, which causes the knee to turn inward and the piriformis muscle to overactivate to prevent knee overrotation.
Traumatic injuries, such as falling on the buttocks, account for about 50% of piriformis syndrome cases.
Additional Causes of Sciatica:
Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the vertebral space).
Isthmic spondylolisthesis (forward movement of one vertebra over another).
Herniated or bulging discs, causing nerve irritation from inflammatory discal fluid.
Direct pressure from sitting on hard surfaces or from objects like a wallet.
Treatment Options:
At Chelsea Osteo, treatment for sciatica and piriformis syndrome includes a combination of conservative methods and personalized exercise regimens. These exercises focus on strengthening the gluteus medius and hip adductor muscle groups, which can alleviate symptoms within days. Additional techniques may involve addressing muscle imbalances and improving flexibility to prevent recurrence.
For individuals experiencing severe pain or suspecting sciatica, it is crucial to seek immediate consultation with Maciej Sedlak at Chelsea Osteo. Maciej is dedicated to providing effective, tailored treatments to ensure optimal recovery and long-term relief from discomfort.
Website: https://chelseaosteo.com
Contact number: +44 (0) 77 66 010 627
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