Re: Anyone with Piriformis syndrome-HELP

[Guest guest]

I have it and it's awful. Feels like someone is tightening the muscle and

won/t let go,

I haven/t done anything about it except the massage you are talking about,

though. I am afraid of surgery,

" Sweet Goat Mama "

Carolyn Eddy

www.goattracksmagazine.com

[Guest guest]

Carolyn,

Well, I talked to a physical therapist today about active therapy

release of my piriformis muscle so I hope it gets better. I am taking

muscle relaxant now and in the bed. This is the worst it has been in a

while because it does radiate and my foot is turning inward when I try

to stand.

My right leg is shorter than the other one and this presents

problems too. I did not realize that piriformis was listed under

myofascial muscle problems.

I was researching a lot of physical therapy articles and the

nueroscience websites and they talk about a piriformis muscle release

surgery so that it does not impinge the sciatic nerve.

I see my nuerosurgeon next week and will ask him about this

surgery but I think about things before I do them. I will go to

physical therapy and I know this will eventually help.

It is so confusing because I can injure this just by stepping

wrong. Oh well, I am glad there is someone to relate to it. My

husband has been massaging

my " butt " and says that the muscle is so cramped he can feel the knots

and he just cant believe it.

How long did you have to have physical therapy and how many

" bouts " have you had? Any information appreciated.

Bennie

[Guest guest]

I also get piriformis syndrome as a result of " guarding " against pain

from my many other spinal problems, but it definitely aggravates my

already existing neuropathy into my legs and feet.

Deep tissue massage with an experienced therapist and lots-lots-lots of

stretching exercises are the only things I've found that help. The

stretches are crucial. I sometimes do them many times a day, and

definitely never miss a day. You can search online to find the ones

that pinpoint the piriformis muscle.

It's my understanding that surgery isn't necessary if appropriate

aggressive physical therapy is applied (including those stretches!) I

certainly wouldn't have surgery until I'd exhausted every possible

physical therapy option out there! Don't give up if you don't like the

first therapist you try - just keep hunting until you find one with the

proper training and experience. Look for someone with the equivalent

of a Ph.D. in therapy, not someone who went to school for two years to

get a tech degree.

Accupunture might also be of help, since it is ideal in treating muscle

spasms.

I also have a Tempurpedic mattress and it's made a world of difference

in my ability to sleep. I can only safely lie on my side with my

particular spinal cord issues, but on a regular mattress on my side I

get a sensation like someone driving a railroad spike through the hip

I'm lying on. The Tempurpedic mattress got rid of all that.

Cheryl in AZ

Moderator

[Guest guest]

>

> Carolyn,

>

> Well, I talked to a physical therapist today about active therapy

> release of my piriformis muscle so I hope it gets better. I am

taking

> muscle relaxant now and in the bed. This is the worst it has been in

a

> while because it does radiate and my foot is turning inward when I

try

> to stand.

> Bennie

Bennie,

I too have periformis syndrome, I have had 2 trigger point injections

and the last one was in Sept. I have been experiencing more pain again

over the last 2 weeks. At PT the therapist used to do massage on the

back and periformis area, but they don't do the massage anymore. When

they did do it, the therapist said that it felt like a large marble on

top of the sciatic nerve. It seems to flare up more as my back hurts

more. I do daily stretches to the muscle but sometimes nothing seems to

help. I have so many other issues going on with my back,neck,hip and

shoulder,that I hate when another area begings hurting again. I hope

you can get some relief. I also take NSAIDS, muscle relaxers and pain

meds.

Take care

Vickie