Piriformis Syndrome Treatment in Westminster Denver Colorado
Overview
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Piriformis syndrome is pain and
numbness in your buttocks and down the back of your leg. It occurs when the
piriformis muscle in the buttocks presses on the sciatic nerve.
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The syndrome, which affects more
women than men, is uncommon. But when it occurs, it can cause sciatica-type
symptoms.
Causes
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The piriformis muscle is involved
in nearly every movement you make with your lower body, from walking to
shifting weight from one foot to the other. Beneath the muscle is the sciatic
nerve. This nerve runs from your lower spine down the back of your leg to your
foot.
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Injuring or irritating the
piriformis muscle can cause muscle spasms. The muscle may also swell or tighten
from the spasms. This puts pressure on the nerve beneath it, causing pain.
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Overuse can cause swelling or
injure the muscle. Muscle spasms may come from:
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Sitting for long periods
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Over exercising
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Running, walking, or doing other
repetitive activities
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Playing sports
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Climbing stairs
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Lifting heavy objects
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Trauma can also cause muscle
irritation and damage. This may be caused by:
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Car accidents
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Falls
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Sudden twisting of the hip
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Penetrating wounds
Symptoms
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Sciatica is the main symptom of
piriformis syndrome. Other symptoms include:
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Tenderness or a dull ache in the
buttock
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Tingling or numbness in the buttock
and along the back of the leg
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Difficulty sitting
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Pain from sitting that grows worse
as you continue to sit
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Pain that gets worse with activity
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Lower body pain that is so severe
it becomes disabling
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The pain usually affects just one
side of the lower body. But it can also occur on both sides at the same time.
Exams
and Tests
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Your health care provider will:
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Do a physical exam
–
Ask about your symptoms and recent
activities
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Take your medical history
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During the exam, your provider may
put you through a range of movements. The point is to see if and where they
cause pain.
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Other problems can cause sciatica.
For instance, a slipped disk or arthritis of the spine can put pressure on the
sciatic nerve. To rule out other possible causes, you may have an MRI or a CT
scan.
Prevention
To prevent future pain:
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Get regular exercise.
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Avoid running or exercising on
hills or uneven surfaces.
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Warm up and stretch before
exercising. Then gradually increase the intensity of your activity.
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If something causes you pain, stop
doing it. Don’t push through the pain. Rest until the pain passes.
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Don’t sit or lie down for long
periods in positions that put extra pressure on your hips.
Our expert providers are experienced and skilled
at treating Piriformis syndrome and are your source for expert treatment of
piriformis syndrome in Westminster and Denver Colorado. Not only are we the
premier treatment for spine injuries and chiropractic in Westminster and Denver
Colorado, but we also specialize in many other advanced treatment techniques
such as shockwave, cold laser, graston technique, KT Taping, activator,
instrument aided spinal alignments, drop table, toggle, in house rehab
services, and on site digital xrays. We are your Premier destination for
piriformis syndrome treatment in Westminster Colorado and Denver Colorado
Chiropractor.