Piriformis is a band shape muscle extending at the depth of our hip. Piriformis syndrome is characterized with the symptoms of low back pain, hip and leg pain, numbing at the back of leg and towards the foot and tingling which result from the compression of sciatica nerve under the piriformis muscle.
Sitting increases pain for the individuals with piriformis syndrome. The pain is generally felt around low back and hip areas and increases when the patient walks or crosses his/her legs.
It may be confused with spinal disk hernia due to the symptoms of numbing and tingling at the back of leg and feet, difficulty in walking etc.
Piriformis syndrome has two types.
The first type syndrome results from structural shortness of the piriformis muscle. The problem is prevented through muscle stretching and extending exercises at the early period.
The second type syndrome arises from muscle spasm due to a trauma or reduction of local blood circulation. The treatment must be applied following the identification of the underlying reason. Muscle spasm may be related to problems in piriformis muscle, low back and spine or spinal muscles, incorrectly performed exercises, sudden and adverse movements, long term sitting (desk jobs, long term travels, cycling) or excessive use. Muscle spasm compresses the sciatica nerve under the muscle and leads to pain and sensual disorders.