Piriformis Syndrome

What is Piriformis?

Piriformis is a pear-shaped muscle, located at the either side of the buttocks, deep inside (behind the gluteus maximus). It originates from the anterior or side of the sacrum, which is the base of the spine, and connects to the upper surface of each thigh bone (femur)

What is Piriformis Syndrome?

Piriformis syndrome is a condition in which the piriformis muscle becomes inflamed due to excessive activities such as cycling, sitting on wrong posture, sitting on the wallet at the back side of the pants, etc.

As this muscle become inflamed and tight, it squeezes the sciatic nerve that goes through it.  This creates a pain that is very similar to sciatica, with the pain radiating through the leg, where the sciatic nerve passes through.

Sciatica is usually because of the compression of sciatic nerve by one of the herniated discs – viz,  L4, L5, S1, S2, and S3 which causes severe pain that radiates down to the leg

Piriformis Syndrome Treatment

Piriformis syndrome can be treated with the help of a physiotherapist. In certain cases, an MR (Muscle Relaxant) and some anti-inflammatory tablet may be given by your doctor.

Here are some of the stretches that will help in relieving the piriformis muscle pain!