Table of Contents
Introduction
The lumbar region of the spine has various muscles and nerve roots that work together with the lower body extremities, like the hips, buttocks, legs, knees, and feet, for mobility and walking function. The buttock region includes the gluteal muscles. The gluteal muscles have a casual relationship with the hip muscles, as they work together to support hip mobility and maintain good posture in the body. These muscles and nerves also provide sensory-motor function, allowing leg mobility and supporting hip movement. The piriformis is one of the muscles that assist in the hips and buttock region. When this muscle becomes overused, it can cause mobility issues in the legs and affect a person’s ability to walk. Today’s article covers the piriformis muscle, how trigger points relate to piriformis syndrome, and how to manage trigger-point-related piriformis syndrome. We refer patients to certified providers who use multiple methods for lower-body issues, including sciatic pain and piriformis syndrome treatments related to trigger points, to help individuals with pain along the piriformis muscle. We encourage and appreciate patients by referring them to appropriate medical providers based on their diagnosis, when appropriate. We understand that education is an excellent solution to answering our providers’ complex questions at the patient’s request. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., utilizes this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer
What Is the Piriformis Muscle?
Have you been having issues walking from one place to another? Do you feel muscle tightness in your hips or buttock region? Or are you experiencing radiating pain traveling to your knees and feet? These pain symptoms are correlated with trigger points affecting the piriformis muscle. The piriformis is a flat, pear-shaped muscle, one of the six short rotator muscle groups in the gluteal region of the hips and thighs. The rotator muscle groups consist of the following:
- Gemelli
- Quadratus Femoris
- Obturator Internus
- Obturator Externus
This muscle is parallel to the posterior margins of the gluteus medius and deep into the gluteus maximus. This muscle is important because it supports lower-body movement by stabilizing the hip joint and can lift and rotate the thighs away from the body. The piriformis muscle also surrounds the sciatic nerve, as this long nerve runs deep beneath the piriformis and enters the gluteal region of the rear. When the piriformis muscle becomes overused or is affected by trauma, it can aggravate the sciatic nerve and develop tiny nodules known as trigger points, causing mobility issues.
Trigger Points Associated With Piriformis Syndrome
When abnormal factors affect the piriformis muscles, they can develop into trigger points associated with piriformis syndrome and cause issues in the pelvic and hip regions of the body. According to Dr. Janet G. Travell, M.D., “Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction,” trigger points can be activated when repetitive strain affects the piriformis muscle and causes symptoms of muscle weakness and pain in the hips. Such dysfunction causes overlapping issues in the surrounding muscles and the sciatic nerve, making diagnosing tricky for trigger points. Studies reveal that trigger points associated with piriformis syndrome may potentially cause muscle spasms or an inflammatory process to irritate the sciatic nerve that may be presented as identical to lumbar disk syndrome without neurological findings. Trigger points associated with piriformis syndrome may mimic chronic issues like fibromyalgia. Even though trigger points are tricky to pinpoint in a thorough examination, there are various ways to reduce the pain and prevent trigger points from affecting the piriformis muscle, causing sciatic nerve pain.
Trigger Point Of The Week: Piriformis Muscle—Video
Have you been dealing with sciatic nerve pain? Have you found it difficult to walk for a short period? Or are you dealing with muscle tenderness or soreness in your buttock or hips? People experiencing these symptoms could be dealing with piriformis syndrome associated with trigger points. The piriformis is a small, fan-shaped muscle, one of the six short rotator muscle groups that help with hip and thigh mobility through stabilization. The piriformis muscles also surround the sciatic nerve and can succumb to injuries. When traumatic forces affect the hips and thighs, the piriformis muscle develops nodules known as trigger points, which irritate the sciatic nerve and cause pain in the legs. The video above shows where the piriformis muscle is located and how trigger points can mimic sciatic nerve pain in the leg without neurological findings. Studies reveal that trigger points could be a rare anatomical variation that can correlate with piriformis syndrome associated with sciatica. However, there is some encouraging news, as there are ways to manage piriformis syndrome associated with trigger points.
Managing Piriformis Syndrome Associated With Trigger Points
Various techniques can help manage piriformis syndrome associated with trigger points and relieve the piriformis muscle. Studies reveal that Kinesio tape on the piriformis muscle can help reduce pain and improve many individuals’ hip joint range of motion. Other techniques like stretching or deep tissue massage can help loosen up the stiff muscles and relieve trigger points from forming on the piriformis. For sciatica pain associated with trigger points along the piriformis muscle, decompression therapy can help the piriformis muscle lay off pressure on the sciatic nerve and reduce aggravated pain. These techniques can help improve hip joint mobility and increase the range of motion of the hips and lower extremities.
Conclusion
The piriformis is a small muscle that provides hip and thigh mobility. This small muscle surrounds the sciatic nerve, which helps provide motor function to the legs. When traumatic factors affect the piriformis muscle, it can develop trigger points and cause sciatic pain in the hips. The condition causes mobility issues and pain around the hips. Various treatments are provided to help reduce the trigger points along the piriformis muscle and reduce sciatic nerve pain that causes more problems with hip and leg mobility.
References
Chang, Carol, et al. “Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb, Piriformis Muscle.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 3 Oct. 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519497/.
Pfeifer, T., and W. F. Fitz. “[The Piriformis Syndrome].” Zeitschrift Fur Orthopadie Und Ihre Grenzgebiete, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1989, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2618150/.
R., Hashemirad F., Karimi N., and Keshavarz. “The Effect of the Kinesio Taping Technique on Trigger Points of the Piriformis Muscle.” Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8 Feb. 2016, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27814861/.
Ro, Tae Hoon, and Lance Edmonds. “Diagnosis and Management of Piriformis Syndrome: A Rare Anatomic Variant Analyzed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging.” Journal of Clinical Imaging Science, Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd, 21 Feb. 2018, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5843966/.
Travell, J. G., et al. Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual: Vol. 2: The Lower Extremities. Williams & Wilkins, 1999.