Most commonly, patients describe acute tenderness in the buttock and sciatica-like pain down the back of the thigh, calf and foot.
When it comes to fitness (or general physical labor from day-to-day life, for that matter), it’s all about form. Good form can lead to significant gains and great health benefits — bad form can leave you with all kinds of problems. Today’s topic, Piriformis Syndrome, may have struck you at some point if you’re relatively active. It includes some of the most painful and irritating afflictions of the lower back.
The good news: Refocusing on great form with a few key exercises can get you back on track.
If you’ve experienced any of the following symptoms that WebMD lists for Piriformis Syndrome, these exercises are definitely worth a try.
Remember, it’s always a good idea to talk to a doctor if you feel you’re having problems with your piriformis and not self-diagnose. A personal trainer or chiropractor will also be a great resource for these types of issues.
The Symptoms, according to WebMD:
“Most commonly, patients describe acute tenderness in the buttock and sciatica-like pain down the back of the thigh, calf, and foot. Typical piriformis syndrome symptoms may include:
- A dull ache in the buttock
- Pain down the back of the thigh, calf and foot (sciatica)
- Pain when walking up stairs or inclines
- Increased pain after prolonged sitting
- Reduced range of motion of the hip joint”
3 Exercises That Help With Piriformis Syndrome:
- Rolling your piriformis: video instructions here
- Seated Hip Abduction: video instructions here
- Side-lying clam exercise: video instructions here
In addition to these, a quick Google or Youtube search will net you quite a few more exercise options to try – these are just some of my personal favorites.
If you’ve got a favorite of your own you think others should try, drop a link in the comments, we’d love to hear from you!
Additional Resources:
