Piriformis Syndrome & Spinal Decompression Therapy

Introduction

The sciatic nerve is considered the largest in the lower half of the body that helps control sensory and motor functions of the legs. As part of the nervous system, the sciatic nerve resides in the lumbar region of the spine, traveling down to the legs and feet while succumbing to injuries and unwanted factors. When there are injuries or unwanted symptoms that start to affect the lumbar regions of the spine like herniation or a slipped disc, it can press on the sciatic nerve causing sharp, searing pain that can radiate down to the legs and feet. This type of pain can lead to sciatica and dampen a person’s mood if not treated right away. Luckily, there are treatments available for reducing sciatic nerve pain and other issues that affect the body’s lower extremities. Today’s article focuses on a condition that can cause sciatica known as piriformis syndrome, its symptoms, and how decompression therapy can help many people alleviate the sciatic nerve from piriformis syndrome. Referring patients to qualified and skilled providers who specialize in spinal decompression therapy. We guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is essential for asking insightful questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

 

Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.

What Is Piriformis Syndrome?

 

Do you feel muscle spasms occur in your lower back or buttock? How about radiating pain that is traveling down the legs? Do the muscles in the lower body regions feel tender and weak to the touch? Experiencing these symptoms mean that you are suffering from piriformis syndrome. Research studies have defined piriformis syndrome as a condition in which the piriformis muscles in the buttocks region irritate the nearby sciatic nerve, causing it to be trapped. As the sciatic nerve becomes trapped in the piriformis muscle, it can cause sciatica pain-like symptoms that run down the leg. Additional research studies mentioned that since sciatica is a musculoskeletal pain disorder associated with piriformis syndrome, the compressed, irritated sciatic nerve root causes the individual to suffer from painful symptoms that are causing the piriformis muscle to tense up. Piriformis syndrome can affect the sciatic nerve root with or without spinal disorders like herniation, stenosis, or slipped discs.

 

The Symptoms

When the piriformis muscle aggravates the sciatic nerve, many symptoms can pop up over time, causing painful issues that collide with sciatica and piriformis syndrome. Research studies have shown that piriformis syndrome is a deliberate condition caused by traumatic events, inflammation in the lower back, and spinal degeneration. Most of the causes do hinder a person’s quality of life. Since the sciatic nerve is trapped in the piriformis muscle, it can cause excruciating, burning pain that affects the lower back down to the leg muscles. Other studies have found that other symptoms that are caused by piriformis syndrome are:

• Dull aches
• Sciatica
• Experiencing pain from incline walking
• Pain from prolonged sitting
• Reduced range on the hip joints

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The DOC Decompression Table-Video

Feeling a limited range of motion on your hips? How about radiating, burning pain that travels down to your feet? Does it hurt to walk up the stairs? Piriformis syndrome can cause sciatica pain-like symptoms that can hinder your ability to walk and function. Decompression therapy can be the solution you are looking for. The video above explains and introduces the DOC decompression table and how it is used to alleviate sciatica pain-like symptoms that are causing pain to the individual. Decompression therapy can help with low back and leg pain by gently pulling the spine to allow the necessary supplements for the spine and to take the pressure off the sciatic nerve roots. Decompression therapy can benefit many individuals suffering from leg pain and who want to get back on their wellness journey. Incorporating spinal decompression as part of your wellness treatment is beneficial. This link will explain how decompression offers optimal comfort for many people who suffer from piriformis syndrome and get them back to their health and wellness journey.

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How Decompression Therapy Can Alleviate Piriformis Syndrome

 

Since the sciatic nerve is trapped in the piriformis muscle and causes leg pain, some treatments handle piriformis syndrome by decompressing the sciatic nerve. Research studies have found that endoscope decompression surgery can help alleviate piriformis syndrome by relaxing the sciatic nerve to ease the pain from affecting the buttock and leg muscles. For non-surgical decompression therapy, additional research has found that decompression therapy helps widen the spinal disc space in the spine while creating negative pressure in the affected areas. This negative pressure allows the sciatic nerve to relax and reposition the intervertebral disc back in the spine. Decompression treatments combined with physical therapy can even reduce the chances of piriformis syndrome coming back and affecting the sciatic nerve again.

 

Conclusion

Overall, muscle spasms around the lower body regions can cause piriformis syndrome to develop and cause havoc on the sciatic nerve. Since the piriformis muscle is close to the sciatic nerve, it can trap and aggravate it constantly by sending sciatica pain-like symptoms to the legs. This condition causes muscle weakness and mobility dysfunction in the legs, making a simple walk on the stairs complicated. Treatments like decompression therapy provided in surgical and non-surgical forms can be beneficial for those suffering from piriformis syndrome and sciatica. Decompression therapy allows the negative pressure to release the trapped, irritated sciatic nerve from causing more pain to the legs and helps loosen up the tight muscles in the lower regions of the body. Utilizing decompression as part of your treatment will allow you to continue pain-free your wellness journey.

 

References

Amjad, Fareeha, et al. “Effects of Non-Surgical Decompression Therapy in Addition to Routine Physical Therapy on Pain, Range of Motion, Endurance, Functional Disability and Quality of Life versus Routine Physical Therapy Alone in Patients with Lumbar Radiculopathy; a Randomized Controlled Trial.” BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, BioMed Central, 16 Mar. 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8924735/.

Hicks, Brandon L, et al. “Piriformis Syndrome.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 12 Feb. 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448172/.

Hopayian, Kevork, et al. “The Clinical Features of the Piriformis Syndrome: A Systematic Review.” European Spine Journal: Official Publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society, Springer-Verlag, Dec. 2010, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2997212/.

Revord, John. “Symptoms and Diagnosis of Piriformis Syndrome.” Spine, Spine-Health, 14 Sept. 2012, www.spine-health.com/conditions/sciatica/symptoms-and-diagnosis-piriformis-syndrome.

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, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5843966/.

Vij, Neeraj, et al. “Surgical and Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Piriformis Syndrome: A Literature Review.” Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Kowsar, 2 Feb. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8241586/.

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