Piriformis Syndrome: Hitch In The Giddy-up!

Lani Muelrath, M.A.

In my work as fitness trainer and coach, I've encountered the performis syndrome in many an exercise fan - and have even experienced it myself.

It is a pain in the hmmhmm and can take time to heal…but there is hope!

Piriformis Syndrome Symptom Location

I've researched this syndrome extensively and just today, while snooping around some more with the intent of bringing some good, top-of-the line information to you, I came across this article. It is the clearest, most succinct (yet with important details!) article that I have come across to date regarding this phenomenon. As a matter of fact, the graphic (see man walking, right) also was right on for conveying the feeling of this pain in the you know what.

Known also as piriformis syndrome, this complex inflammation can be tricky to nail down as to exact location. It responds well to rest, and massage. Massage is THE best relief; if you can find a massage therapist to really go at it (I'm talking elbow in the backyard, truly!) wondrous relief will be yours! An easy alternative is to lay on a rock or tennis ball strategically positioned. Doesn't sound very scientific, but it hits the mark! As a matter of fact the tennis toy cure is detailed in the article. Here is that excerpt, so you have it all on this page and can investigate further by linking to the article below.

The next step in this "recovery" process is to use a tennis ball under the butt and hip area. While sitting down on the floor, roll away from the side of involvement and place a tennis ball just inside the outer hip bone under the butt area. As you begin to allow your weight onto the tennis ball, note areas of increased pain and soreness. Trigger points will tend to accumulate in a repetitively used muscle, and until these toxins are manually broken up and eliminated, the muscle will have an artificial ceiling with regard to flexibility potential and recovery potential. So, if it's sore and hurts while your sitting on it, you're doing a good job. Let the ball work under each spot for 15-20 seconds before moving it to another area. Once you've been on the ball for 4-5 minutes, now put the ankle of the involved leg over the knee of the non-involved leg (crossing your legs). Now place the tennis ball just inside the outer hip bone again and work the tendon of the piriformis muscle. While this pain is typically excruciating and takes some time to effectively reduce, the benefits here are huge. Be patient, be consistent and good things will happen.

Stretching is recommended though not during chronic outbreak; the advice is to allow a decrease of inflammation first, then stretch.

At any rate, if you have a tendency toward this inflammation or are suffering from it today, don't hesitate to read the article for insights and ideas for relief.

Periformis Syndrome from the Spine Advisor

P.S. One more thing. This is an invaluable opportunity to point out the importance of allowing any exercise technique that requires a tucked pelvis, such as T-Tapp, Bar Method, Lotte Burke, or Callanetics.  Allow the tuck to be a comprehensive move that is actually, at least the way I do it, initiated from the deep abdominal muscle, the transversus abdominus. Avoid letting the squeeze of the backyard be what drives the tuck; it's everything working together. This way you avoid creating imbalance, or overworking one muscle group at the expense of another and creating problems.

© Lani Muelrath, 2008 WANT TO USE ANY OF THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it (and let me know about it!): "Fitness professional and entrepreneur Lani Muelrath, "The Fitness DreamMaker,"publishes the "FitDream eZine" with 2,000+ subscribers. If you're ready to revolutionize your health, fitness and well-being, go to www.lanimuelrath.com."