NCTV Episode 113

Continuing with the series of bitesize health tip videos which can be found here on my YouTube Channel, this episode includes:-

✅ What Piriformis Syndrome is and how it mimics sciatica
✅ Common causes, signs, and symptoms to watch out for
✅ How osteopathy can help relieve and resolve the issue
✅ Other helpful treatments and self-help tips you can try at home
✅ Prognosis, recovery, and how to prevent it coming back

Transcript

If you’d prefer to read the content within, rather than watch the video, then feel free to read the transcript, as follows:-

Hello and welcome to NCTV Episode 113 which is all about Piriformis Syndrome. If you’re unfamiliar with this then it’s also known as ‘that thing that makes you feel like you’ve got a wasp sting in your buttock!’ Not fun, but luckily, help is at hand!

What is Piriformis Syndrome?

Piriformis Syndrome is a condition where the piriformis muscle, which sits deep in your backside, gets irritated or tight and decides to press on your sciatic nerve. The result? Pain, tingling, or numbness down the back of your leg – which is basically sciatica but more like sciatica’s mischievous little cousin if you will aka Dan Coysh in my case, sorry Dan if you’re watching! 😉

Diagnosis

It’s usually diagnosed through physical examination, ruling out lower back causes, and sometimes but less commonly through MRI or nerve conduction studies.

How Does It Happen?

It can creep up on you for a variety of reasons, such as:

  • Overuse from running, cycling, or long periods of sitting. (So that’s both marathon runners and Netflix marathoners alike who might be at risk!)
  • Muscle imbalances, weak glutes, or postural issues.
  • A good old-fashioned injury or strain.
  • Even anatomical quirks – in some people, the sciatic nerve actually runs through the piriformis muscle, making it even more likely to get squished!”

Signs & Symptoms

Here’s what to look out for in terms of signs and symptoms:

  • A deep, aching pain in the buttock (and I don’t mean that certain someone most people have in their lives).
  • Pain that travels down the back of the thigh, sometimes even to the foot.
  • Worsening pain when sitting, climbing stairs, or after prolonged activity.
  • Some people experience a bit of numbness or weakness in the leg.
  • Also, some people even report a warm or hot sensation in the buttock – so if it feels like you’ve got a radiator in your rear, it might actually be your piriformis acting up!

It’s a bit sneaky because it mimics sciatica, but the key difference is that the source of the problem is in the glute, not the lower back.

How Do You Fix It?

Now onto the good stuff – getting rid of the pain!

Osteopathy to the Rescue

As an osteopath, it would be amiss of me not to mention that osteopathy can of course help by assessing your movement, testing what’s causing the irritation, and use hands-on techniques to relieve tension, improve mobility, and rebalance any compensations. Osteopaths can also look at your gait, posture, and overall biomechanics to prevent it from coming back!

Other Therapies That Can Help are:-

  • Massage therapy – Deep tissue work can release that tight piriformis.
  • Physiotherapy – Can help with strengthening weak muscles and correcting imbalances.
  • And also acupuncture or Dry Needling can be used as a great way to help calm down nerve irritation.

Self-Help Tips

If you’re struggling with piriformis pain, here’s a few things you can try at home:

✔️ Stretch it out – The ‘figure-four’ stretch (lying on your back, ankle over opposite knee, pulling your leg towards you) is a classic.
✔️ Foam rolling – Gently rolling over the glutes can help relieve tension.
✔️ Strengthen weak muscles – Focus on core and glute exercises to support the area.
✔️ Heat or ice? – Heat can help relax the muscle, while ice can calm inflammation – see which works best for you.
✔️ Avoid prolonged sitting – Take breaks, walk around, and don’t sit on hard surfaces for too long.

Prognosis – Will It Ever Go Away?

Thankfully, with the right approach, piriformis syndrome is usually very treatable. Most people improve within a few weeks with a combination of manual therapy, stretching, and strengthening. But, if left unchecked, it can become a recurring issue – so it’s best not to just grit your teeth and sit through the pain!

That’s it for this week’s bitesize bit to help your health flourish.

I’ll see you again next time, by for now.