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Piriformis Syndrome Relief With Chiropractic Care

Written By All Seasons Integrative Health on July 22, 2019

Piriformis Syndrome Relief

If you are looking for pain relief from piriformis syndrome, chiropractic care should be on the top of your list. Chiropractic physicians are able to provide diagnosis and treatment for musculoskeletal conditions, piriformis syndrome included.

What Is Piriformis Syndrome?

A small muscle located deep in the buttocks, the piriformis muscle performs the essential function of rotating the leg outwards. Piriformis Syndrome is a painful condition. It occurs when the piriformis muscle is tight and puts pressure on the sciatic nerve in the buttocks. Compression of the sciatic nerve causes pain and tenderness and sometimes numbness in the buttocks. Piriformis syndrome pain may also radiate down the sufferer's leg. And, in some cases, even into the calf.

A physical exam is needed for diagnosing piriformis syndrome. There are two commonly identifiable potential causes for piriformis syndrome. One is sitting for prolonged periods of time, which can cause tightening of the muscle. The second cause is an injury to the buttocks, either by a fall, an accident, or a sports injury. Trauma causes the piriformis muscle to swell and irritate the sciatic nerve.

Muscle spasms can also cause piriformis syndrome, however, the underlying cause of the spasms frequently remains unknown.

Unfortunately, once a person has suffered from piriformis syndrome, the condition can reoccur regularly. Usually, it is brought on by too much exercise or sitting for a long period of time without stretching.

Whatever the initial cause, piriformis syndrome treatment options are vital in relieving the painful symptoms and healing the condition.

4 Treatment Options Frequently Used To Treat Piriformis Syndrome

Hands-On Therapies

Hands-on therapies are used with other types of treatment or on their own. These types of therapies are popular because of their effectiveness. Additionally, they are drug-free ways to gain relief from the pain. Massage is a commonly used therapy for piriformis syndrome, as it helps increase blood flow to the area. The massage therapist can manipulate the area to relieve the tightness of the muscle.

Another hands-on therapy that produces positive results is chiropractic care.

Chiropractors view the body in its entirety. They will often treat other parts of the body. For example, they may treat a foot or leg in order to improve the condition of the piriformis muscle. Chiropractic physicians may also utilize a regimen of pelvic and spinal adjustments. Also, joint manipulation and stretching will loosen up the muscle and help heal the afflicted area.

Heat

Heat is a common way to relax tight muscles. Piriformis syndrome sufferers may find relief from painful symptoms by rhythmically applying heat directly to the tender area. This can be done for 20 minutes per hour. If for some reason the heat seems to make the condition worse, apply cold packs instead.

Heat therapy may relieve the tightness of the muscle and promote healing of the entire area. However, it's important to avoid treating the muscle with heat if there is a chance the muscle may be torn.

Excercise

The overall cause of Piriformis Syndrome is a tight piriformis muscle. A proper exercise regimen will loosen the muscle and alleviate it's common symptoms. A doctor can prescribe the correct exercises to stretch and subsequently strengthen the muscles and the body's other muscles. A strong body will reduce the chances of the issue recurring down the road.

Medication

Over-the-counter or prescribed pain medicines are often recommended while treating Piriformis Syndrome. Anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxers frequently serve to reduce pain and inflammation . A doctor may also inject botulinum toxin directly into the piriformis muscle to improve the condition.

As stated earlier, it is vital to avoid provoking the area once it has healed. Proper stretching before exercise and periodic breaks when sitting are good ways to start. Also, maintaining spinal and pelvic alignment can help prevent piriformis syndrome. This will increase a person's chances of living free of the pain of piriformis syndrome in the future.

If you have a question about how chiropractic care can help with the symptoms of piriformis syndrome, or other health conditions, contact us today. Or, schedule an appointment with one of our Fargo chiropractors.

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Dr. Paul Bekkum

Dr. Paul Bekkum leads the team of health care professionals at All Seasons Full Body Chiropractic Center in Fargo, North Dakota. His life's mission is to help people live active and healthy lives. Dr. Bekkum believes that pain doesn't have to be a life-long sentence. By focusing on a person's whole body, Dr. Bekkum can help detect, correct, and prevent health problems. Born and raised in River Falls, WI, Dr. Bekkum attended the University of Wisconsin - River Falls then graduated from Northwestern College of Chiropractic in 1992. In addition to being a Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Paul Bekkum is a Certified Chiropractic Extremity Practitioner and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Biology. Dr. Bekkum is a team chiropractor for the NDSU Rodeo team, NDSU Equestrian team, and NDSU Marksmanship team.

The post Piriformis Syndrome Relief With Chiropractic Care appeared first on All Seasons Full Body Chiropractic Center, LLC.


Posted In: Chiropractic Sciatica Injuries