What They Didn’t Tell Me About Piriformis Syndrome/Sciatica
So here we are, whatever lead to these diagnosis can be from as small as I turned the wrong way at my desk to an accident away from home. These brought on sciatica for you because a disc in your spine is pushing against your sciatic nerve. If you happen to have healed from the sciatica as it no longer shoots down to your feet then perhaps you are at an ache in the butt. Some it’s piriformis syndrome others may be other smaller pelvic floor muscles that surround the rest of the hip areas.
What Brought it On
Often times these are reasons they were brought on:
turning the wrong way
Bending forward too far
Bending back too far (ie gymnastics, in fitness class, lifting)
Pregnancy
Sudden weight gain
Impact movements (ie jumping, lifting, running, etc)
an accident
and so much more
What I learned
So I personally lived through this for almost 3 years of ongoing symptoms. Sciatica for almost 8 months and piriformis syndrome for the rest of those months. This is what I learned when I was actively in pain:
What you sit on matters, hard wood or no back support was a big no no for me
Weather matters, when it got cold and i had to be out it would bring on symptoms in a debilitating way
Single leg lifting exercises like side step ups, cause debilitating pain i almost believed I was disabled
Know which direction your disc is bulging helps you avoid extreme movements that can bring on sciatica
Pelvic floor physical therapy can really help piriformis syndrome because there are other muscles likely also tensing up in the wrong ways
Your shoes choice affects you more than you’d think
How flat your feet can also definitely affect your hips and cause your back to return with symptoms
It may take longer than the average person even if you are young! Don’t let age make you think otherwise.
Finally for those looking for something really good:
I learned a lot from this and all of my other exercises and movement have improved
I managed my depression so much better being aware of what I can and can’t do when it is a bad day versus a good day
Absolutely continue exercises after physical therapy
Absolutely use alternative ways to reduce tension (massage therapy, acupuncture, restorative pilates, restorative yoga)
Because of my age and continued management I healed my discs!
Theres more to this than just the diagnosis but don’t fret there are so many ways you can manage this for your body. Take the time to journal and take note of what is working for you beyond the physical therapy exercises you are getting. Often times this is what helps you the most because pain can be very depressing and also cause overuse injuries on the non affected side. May you find the work you need to get past this and if not? Book a consultation in person or virtually and I’d be happy to assist the best that I can because we are all worth more than one or two hours a week.
