Chiropractic care for piriformis syndrome can help take the pressure off stressed areas, realign your body, and keep your nervous system functioning correctly. Piriformis syndrome occurs when the piriformis muscle compresses the sciatic nerve causing pain and numbness in your buttocks and down the back of your legs.
Chiropractic treatment at Lotus Chiropractic Care is focused on identifying the cause of your piriformis syndrome symptoms and addressing the root cause through gentle chiropractic adjustments.
The piriformis is a flat and narrow muscle that extends from your lower spine through your butt to the top of your thighs. The sciatic nerve runs underneath the piriformis muscle. It starts from your spinal cord, runs through your posterior, and continues down to your feet through the back of your thighs and legs.
Piriformis syndrome occurs when the piriformis muscle tightens and results in a pinched (or compressed) sciatic nerve. This causes the nerve to get irritated and causes symptoms of piriformis syndrome.
The piriformis muscle controls movements such as hip rotation and turning the legs and feet. Its proper functioning is vital since it helps you walk, stabilizes movement, and helps maintain balance.
This muscle is, therefore, a prime target for repetitive stress injury. Long periods of sitting, running, and intense exercises without appropriate care can trigger piriformis syndrome.
Symptoms of piriformis syndrome can include:
- Sciatica (pain along the lower back, hips, and legs)
- Increased sensitivity around the buttocks
- Pain in the buttocks and legs
- Difficulty or pain, especially when seated
- Tingling or numbness in the buttocks or along the back of the legs
In extreme cases, these symptoms may become debilitating. In such cases, patients cannot perform even basic tasks, such as sitting, driving, or other daily chores.
The piriformis muscle is always at work whether you are sitting, walking, or even just shifting your weight from one side or the other. Piriformis syndrome may be caused by:
- Injuries around the hip muscles
- “Too much” exercise
- Incorrect lifting posture or technique
- Long periods of inactivity or too much sedentary activity
- Sudden twisting of the hips
At Lotus Chiropractic Care, Dr. Desai begins by diagnosing and identifying the root cause of the problem. She checks for disc herniation while guiding you through different types of stretches.
Depending on the severity of the condition, treatment for piriformis syndrome can include chiropractic adjustments to resolve any misalignments or “structural shifts” in the spine that may irritate or stress the piriformis muscle.
Appropriate spinal and pelvic adjustments can address the stressed muscle problem and take the pressure off the sciatic nerve.
Dr. Desai may also recommend gentle pressure massage therapy, which can help loosen the muscles surrounding the sciatic nerve and ease pain. Massage therapy can also improve circulation around the tight muscles, aiding the healing process.
Another treatment option is to follow a routine of gentle stretches and exercises designed to improve your mobility and reduce pain. Dr. Desai will walk you through the basic exercises you may need based on your condition. This may include core muscle exercises, foot exercises, and other stretches.
In many cases, Dr. Desai advises a treatment plan that combines chiropractic adjustments with massage therapy and gentle stretches to relieve discomfort and put you back on the path to good health.
Dr. Tanvi Desai is a chiropractic expert with extensive training and experience in caring for patients' spinal misalignments. She offers patients treatment options for gentle adjustments.
Lotus Chiropractic Care can help improve posture, reduce pain, and improve the body's overall function. If you suspect you have piriformis syndrome, Dr. Desai can help get your body back to a pain-free life.
We service residents of Dunwoody and surrounding areas from our office on Mt. Vernon Rd, Dunwoody, Georgia.
Learn if chiropractic care may be right for you. Call us at (470) 719-9539 or request an appointment online.