Lower Back Pain and Pirimoris Syndrome

If you're suffering from lower back pain, you should consult a specialist to find out if you have Piriformis Syndrome. If it turns out you have this syndrome, there are some simple treatments which would help in managing the pain to a large extent.

In the process of managing a backache, one of the points to be noted is the Piriformis Syndrome also called Impingement.

What is Pirimoris Syndrome?

The lower back is the place from where the main nerves root and start in the human body. Piriformis Syndrome is caused when this nerve, which partly passes through the buttock area, is compressed by the Piriformis muscle which causes pain. The piriformis muscle begins at the front of surface at the V - shaped bone between the buttocks at the base of the spine (also called Sacrum) and is below the gluteas maximus muscle i.e. the large muscle of the buttock area which helps to stretch the legs. A tender Piriformics can also cause the backache. To determine the tenderness of the Piriformis muscle, a rectal examination will be necessary. The pain due to piriformis syndrome increases in cases where the piriformis muscle contracts.

Reasons for the pain:

There are several reasons for the Piriformis Syndrome and the resultant pain. These muscles become stressed due to over use like long distance running, excessive jogging, standing for long hours etc. On the contrary it can also be caused due to weakening of the muscle caused by lack of exercise and sitting for long hours. Sitting for long hours makes the Piriformis stressed and this result in pain. Some times even direct pressure applied on the buttock due to a fall or accident may also result in piriformis syndrome.

Effects of Piriformis Syndrome:

The Piriformis Syndrome causes pain on the back side of thigh and in the calf region. It also causes difficulty in turning the leg. Because of pain in the buttock and in the lower back, it causes difficulty in walking. However, it may or may not cause pain in the buttock area or in the lower back region. If one goes by the symptomatic diagnoses, there are chances of this pain being diagnosed as 'sciatic pain'.

Treatment: The treatment is mostly non invasive and only rare cases, surgery is suggested.

Other treatments suggested are:

1. Stretching or flexibility exercises of the piriformics area.
2. In some cases exercises are suggested to strengthen the pirifomics area.
3. Exercises for the core muscles also are a must in managing the backache. Because these muscles support the spine.
4. Massage of anti inflammatory medicines are also prescribed
5. Some restrictions on diet may also be suggested by the Physician
6. Anti inflammatory oral medicines and injections may also be prescribed by the Physician depending on the severity.