Sciatic Nerve Relief

Low Back Pain & Sciatica - The Role Of The Piriformis Muscle

Low back Pain & Sciatica can be very painful conditions, where pain is felt either in the low back & / or passing down the leg from either the low back or buttock region. There are several reasons as to why you may suffer with Low Back Pain or Sciatica, but a tight Piriformis muscle is a relatively common cause.

Deep within the buttock region is where the Piriformis muscle can be found. It is actually attached to the Sacrum, and then travels outwards where it attaches to the outside of the hip. As the Sciatic Neve passes through the buttock area, it travels through, or underneath, the Piriformis muscle.

A tight Piriformis muscle will place increased stress upon the Sciatic Nerve as it passes through or underneath it, potentially aggravating the Sciatic Nerve and causing pain. On the other hand, as far as Low Back Pain is concerened, it is the constant ‘tugging’ upon the Sacrum, caused by the tight Piriformis muscle, which is the problem.

The Sacrum forms half of the Sacro-Iliac joint (Sacro referring to the Sacrum and Iliac referring to a specific part of the pelvis) and if the sacrum is being pulled on too much, there will be increased stresses placed across the Sacro-Iliac joint, which itself can ultimately lead to pain.

If you find that your Low Back Pain begins not in the lower back itself, but rather a little further down (but above the buttock region), there is a reasonable chance it is Sacro-Iliac pain your are suffering with. Some people often say to me it feels as if the pain is coming from an area below their back where there are a ‘couple of dimples’. This is in the area of the Sacro-Iliac joint and if you feel the same, it maybe this joint which is the source of your pain.

Aggravation to the Sciatic Nerve, anywhere along its length, can result in Sciatica. However, if a tight Piriformis muscle is the cause of your pain, the chances are the ‘focus’ of your pain is going to begin in the buttock region. If this is the case, the Piriformis muscle will need to be stretched.

There are several ways of stretching the Piriformis muscle, all of which would are best described with the use of a diagram. There is a link at the bottom of this article which will show you some Piriformis stretches.

Massage is an excellent way of loosening up this muscle, and by using a small ball (maybe a tennis ball or something similar) this is something you can try yourself:

Lie yourself on your back with your knees bent. Place the ball approximately in the middle of buttock on the side which needs to be massaged (this is approximately where the Piriformis muscle is). From there, gently ‘roll’ the ball by moving / rotating your buttock, so that the ball gently massages the area underneath.

Due to the close proximity of the Sciatic Nerve to the Piriformis muscle, it is important you take care while performing this exercise. If you are too aggressive, you may simpy end up aggravating the Sciatic Nerve and therefore making your pain worse.

If it does, this is nothing to worry about. However, it is your body’s way of telling you it is not ready for that kind of treatment yet. Have a rest for a day or two and then try again, only being a little gentler next time!

Exercises such as stretching and massage are an excellent way of loosening up a tight Piriformis muscle. Consequently, if it is tightness in this muscle which is responsible for your pain, your pain should soon begin to resolve itself.

By: Paul Boxcer

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 13th, 2009 at 1:45 pm and is filed under Uncategorized, Sciatica Relief, Back Pain Relief, Sciatica, Sciatic Pain, Sciatica Exercises.

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