The sciatic nerve is the longest and widest nerve in the
entire human body. It originates in the lower back and runs under the buttock
and down the back of the leg. This nerve supplies your entire leg with nerve
endings that allow you to feel and move your legs, feet, and toes. Piriformissyndrome is a disorder that commonly causes pain, numbness, or a pins and
needles sensation in the buttock.
When the sciatic nerve becomes compressed or inflamed due to
the piriformis muscle becoming too tight and compressing the nerve. The
piriformis muscle is a band shaped muscle that runs from the top of the hip
joint and is responsible for stabilizing the hip and lifting and rotating the
leg externally from the body. This muscle allows you to walk, run, or even
shift your weight.
Someone who has piriformis disorder may experience mild to
severe pain, tingling, and numbness in their buttocks. Typically, the
piriformis muscle compresses when the person spends a lot of time sitting, and occasionally
through endurance running, climbing stairs, or playing sports that place a lot
of pressure on the piriformis muscle.
A doctor will typically examine the patient’s hip by placing
it through a variety of movements and checking for pain and proper motion. They
will also inquire about the patient’s symptoms and their severity. A physical
exam can nearly always indicate a contracted piriformis, however an MRI may be
required in order to rule out other potential sciatica causes, such as a
herniated spinal disk.
Many times a physician will recommend that the person try
standing more often. If you often sit a desk to work, you might try a standing
desk to take some of the pressure of your piriformis. If you run or perform
lunges often, you might also take some time to perfect your technique and using
good posture, or even taking a few weeks off. Finally, rest, heat, and ice have
been known to treat some symptoms.
