Piriformis Syndrome With Rehab
Piriformis syndrome is a condition that can cause pain and numbness in your buttocks and down the back of your leg. Piriformis syndrome happens when the small muscle that connects the base of your spine to your hip (piriformis muscle) presses on the nerve that runs down the back of your leg (sciatic nerve).
The piriformis muscle helps your hip rotate and helps bring your leg back and out. It also helps shift your weight while you are walking to keep you stable. The sciatic nerve runs under or through the piriformis. Damage to the piriformis muscle can cause spasms that put pressure on the nerve below. This causes pain and discomfort while sitting and moving. The pain may feel as if it begins in the buttock …show more content…
SEEK MEDICAL CARE IF:
• Your pain and stiffness continue or get worse.
• Your leg or hip becomes weak.
• You have changes in your bowel or bladder function.
EXERCISES
Ask your health care provider which exercises are safe for you. Do exercises exactly as told by your health care provider and adjust them as directed. You should not feel pain when you do these exercises. Stop right away if you feel any pain or fell an increase in your symptoms. Do not begin these exercises until told by your health care provider.
STRETCHING AND RANGE OF MOTION EXERCISES
These exercises warm up your muscles and joints and improve the movement and flexibility of your hip and elbow. These exercises also help to relieve pain, numbness, and tingling.
Exercise A: Hip Rotators
1 Lie on your back on a firm surface.
2 Pull your left / right knee toward your same shoulder with your left / right hand until your knee is pointing toward the ceiling. Hold your left / right ankle with your opposite hand.
3 Keeping your knee steady, gently pull your left / right ankle toward your opposite shoulder until you feel a stretch in your buttocks.
4 Hold this position for __________ …show more content…
4 Slowly return to the starting position.
Repeat __________ times. Complete this stretch __________ times per day.
STRENGTHENING EXERCISES
These exercises build strength and endurance in your hip and thigh muscles. Endurance is the ability to use your muscles for a long time, even after they get tired.
Exercise C: Hip Abductors, Straight Leg Raises
1 Lie on your left / right side. Your head, shoulders, knees, and hips should line up. Bend your lower knee to help balance.
2 Lift your top leg up 4–6 inches, keeping your toes pointed straight ahead.
3 Hold this position for __________ seconds.
4 Slowly lower your leg to the starting position. Let your muscles relax completely.
Repeat __________ times. Complete this exercise__________ times per day.
Exercise D: Hip Abductors and Rotators, Quadruped
1 Get on your hands and knees on a firm, lightly padded surface. Your hands should be directly below your shoulders and your knees should be directly below your hips.
2 Lift your left / right knee out to the side. Keep your knee bent. Do not twist your body.
3 Hold this position for __________
Piriformis syndrome is a condition that can cause pain and numbness in your buttocks and down the back of your leg. Piriformis syndrome happens when the small muscle that connects the base of your spine to your hip (piriformis muscle) presses on the nerve that runs down the back of your leg (sciatic nerve).
The piriformis muscle helps your hip rotate and helps bring your leg back and out. It also helps shift your weight while you are walking to keep you stable. The sciatic nerve runs under or through the piriformis. Damage to the piriformis muscle can cause spasms that put pressure on the nerve below. This causes pain and discomfort while sitting and moving. The pain may feel as if it begins in the buttock …show more content…
SEEK MEDICAL CARE IF:
• Your pain and stiffness continue or get worse.
• Your leg or hip becomes weak.
• You have changes in your bowel or bladder function.
EXERCISES
Ask your health care provider which exercises are safe for you. Do exercises exactly as told by your health care provider and adjust them as directed. You should not feel pain when you do these exercises. Stop right away if you feel any pain or fell an increase in your symptoms. Do not begin these exercises until told by your health care provider.
STRETCHING AND RANGE OF MOTION EXERCISES
These exercises warm up your muscles and joints and improve the movement and flexibility of your hip and elbow. These exercises also help to relieve pain, numbness, and tingling.
Exercise A: Hip Rotators
1 Lie on your back on a firm surface.
2 Pull your left / right knee toward your same shoulder with your left / right hand until your knee is pointing toward the ceiling. Hold your left / right ankle with your opposite hand.
3 Keeping your knee steady, gently pull your left / right ankle toward your opposite shoulder until you feel a stretch in your buttocks.
4 Hold this position for __________ …show more content…
4 Slowly return to the starting position.
Repeat __________ times. Complete this stretch __________ times per day.
STRENGTHENING EXERCISES
These exercises build strength and endurance in your hip and thigh muscles. Endurance is the ability to use your muscles for a long time, even after they get tired.
Exercise C: Hip Abductors, Straight Leg Raises
1 Lie on your left / right side. Your head, shoulders, knees, and hips should line up. Bend your lower knee to help balance.
2 Lift your top leg up 4–6 inches, keeping your toes pointed straight ahead.
3 Hold this position for __________ seconds.
4 Slowly lower your leg to the starting position. Let your muscles relax completely.
Repeat __________ times. Complete this exercise__________ times per day.
Exercise D: Hip Abductors and Rotators, Quadruped
1 Get on your hands and knees on a firm, lightly padded surface. Your hands should be directly below your shoulders and your knees should be directly below your hips.
2 Lift your left / right knee out to the side. Keep your knee bent. Do not twist your body.
3 Hold this position for __________