*PREVIOUS POST*
Sandy
May 8, 2008 - 9:33AM
Quote Reply
Piriformis
Hi- I have had pain on and off (mostly on) for 3-1/2 years now. Have been diagnosed with piriformis, SI joint dysfunction, you name it. All MRI's, etc have been negative. My problem is that I have a job where I must sit at the computer typing - I do this approximately 58 hours a week! I know the sitting is not good, but it's my job. Have any of you tried ART with a chiropractor? Not all are licensed to do it, but it can help. I am still plugging along to see what the real problem is, and it helps to hear your views. I have not tried LTBP system yet. I have also had a couple of trigger-point injections. My chiro wants me to get the piriformis injected (OUCH) - any thoughts on this??? Thank you!!!
______________________________________________________________________________________
Jay
May 8, 2008 - 6:16PM
Quote Reply
Re: Piriformis
So what is the issue with the piriformis? If it is just general tension or a muscle balance problem, that can be eliminated with manual therapy.
Understand that 13% of people have their sciatic nerve *through* their piriformis muscle.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Laurie
May 8, 2008 - 6:41PM
Quote Reply
Re: Piriformis
Absolutely get the LTBP system. Having read about piriformis symdrome, I realized that it was what I was experiencing...painful cramps (back pocket pain) that were almost debilitating at times. I think mine was brought on at least in part by all the driving I have had to do to commute to my job in the last couple years. I got the system and also realized that I had a high hip on that side. I started doing the exercises for that and the piriformis stretches and the pain started to go away. Also got the Back Joy for all the sitting I do in commuting and on the job, and the irritation and pain are so much less. I would really consider these as alternatives before I went for the injection. My feeling is that if you don't find the source of the pain, it will probably return. I think that is why my previous nerve blocks didn't do any good.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Sandy Huber
May 8, 2008 - 7:00PM
Quote Reply
Re: Piriformis
Thanks for the info. Sometimes I feel that doctors think I'm crazy trying to explain it - except for my chiro who does the ART stretches and it feels soooo good, but is temporary. I will get the LTBP system and try that. I already have Back Joy and I use LifeZyme, too. Since I sit on it so much, I feel that I am constantly irritating it. It will burn and sting clear down my leg, and almost feel like an itch - so I know the nerve is involved. I have read where they can be chronically constricted and injection is the only route left, but... not crazy about it since the muscle can be so deep, they do it with fluoroscopy, etc. Appreciate your responses a lot!
______________________________________________________________________________________
Jay
May 8, 2008 - 7:09PM
Quote Reply
Re: Piriformis
Has sciatica been ruled out? Do you know for a fact that you're dealing with piriformis syndrome?
Injections are not the only route. Manual therapy (not just ART) can help volumes. If it is the piriformis, the constriction will cause your foot on that leg to rotate outwards...and it will be very stiff rotating it back in straight.
As my chiro told me many years ago - get a new job. =)
______________________________________________________________________________________
Sandy
May 8, 2008 - 11:46PM
Quote Reply
Re: Piriformis
Sciatica has been mentioned, but they don't seem to focus on it. It's so frustrating, don't know what causes or makes it feel better. Do lots of yoga, but this sometimes irritates it to. I think my chiro is going more toward SI joint dysfunction. It always feels like a tickle that you can't get to. No doctor I have ever been to has told me to quit exercising though. First symptoms was after I got off a stairclimber, whole left glute started burning.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Kim Cox
Jun 4, 2008 - 4:35PM
Quote Reply
Re: Piriformis
Hi Sandy,
I have been battling with piriformis / sciatica for 6 years now. Have tried everything the last option is surgery. I’m really thinking of cutting the performus mussel off my hip. The easiest thing in the world is to sit, cant do it. If you have come across any method of relief I'd appreciate you letting me know about it.
Cheers
Kim
______________________________________________________________________________________
Sandy
Jun 4, 2008 - 6:52PM
Quote Reply
Re: Piriformis
Hi Kim- I have tried about EVERYTHING. Have not tried the LTBP system, yet, but like you, sometimes I would like to just cut the muscle out!! I sit for my job - about 55 hrs. a week, which of course aggravates it. I went to a chiropractor who does ART, not all of them are licensed to do that (Active Release Technique). That helps some because he will stretch it in ways it has never been stretched. Have you had an actual piriformis injection yet? That's what is next for me, but it makes me kinda nervous because of the sciatic nerve so close by. Yoga has helped some, too. Let me know..... FYI - women get it 6 times more often than men
______________________________________________________________________________________
dave hutchieson
Jun 4, 2008 - 7:18PM
Quote Reply
Re: Piriformis
Guys
Do NOT even think about surgery, until you've tried proper stretches for the piriformis.
It's actually a very straightforward muscle to stretch [ compared with some others ].
Dave Hutchieson
______________________________________________________________________________________
Sandy
Jun 4, 2008 - 7:22PM
Quote Reply
Re: Piriformis
I literally heard of a guy who would set his watch for every hour or two, 24 hours a day, would get up and stretch the piriformis. He did this steadily for about 8 months!! From what I hear, it is better now. I think they guy is a triathlete. Can't imagine getting up every hour during the night, but.....
______________________________________________________________________________________
Jay
Jun 4, 2008 - 7:27PM
Quote Reply
Re: Piriformis
Problem...depending on how the periformis lies, stretching might be the greatest of ideas.
~13% of the population has their sciatic nerve *through* their periformis. One can imagine the joy that stretching this muscle could bring in said situations.
Find an NMT nearby and see if they can help. Pseudo-sciatica is treatable in near all instances.
______________________________________________________________________________________
kim
Jun 4, 2008 - 9:28PM
Quote Reply
Re: Piriformis
Unfortunately for me I have had copious amount of injections all to no avail. Stretching is about the worst thing to do, it really aggravates the issue. Have just come back from yet another doctor and he suggests to see a gynecologist! He is questioning if the uterus has dropped onto the affected arrears. I must say this is the first I’ve heard of such a thing.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Sandy
Jun 5, 2008 - 8:10AM
Quote Reply
Re: Piriformis
My doctor also mentioned the gynecologist exam. I am a medical transcriptionist and have heard a doctor suggest this many times when a woman presents with hip/buttock pain. They want to rule out something abnormal in the pelvis. I have had only trigger point injections in surrounding muscles; helped when my ART chiro stretched afterward. Kim, have you had MRIs, etc., etc?? For me, being up walking feels better than anything. I know I've also been told to keep moving...but it's so confusing.
______________________________________________________________________________________
kim
Jun 5, 2008 - 5:28PM
Quote Reply
Re: Piriformis
Hi Sandy,
Interesting about the pelvis exam maybe I should go through with this.
As for MRI's yes I have had one done every year for the past 6 years, different providers as well so no mistakes were made. I work behind a computer and stand all day, have raised the computer to do so. Have to walk away at times because my legs start to swell. A hard 1 hour walk twice per week is about the only way I can cope with this problem. Stretching is strictly a no no, it leaves me wondering if my sciatica nerve goes through the peraformus
______________________________________________________________________________________
Sandy
Jun 5, 2008 - 7:06PM
Quote Reply
Re: Piriformis
Hi Kim-
I sure can relate to your problem! Have you ever had an actual piriformis injection? I haven't done that yet because it is done under fluoroscopy, sedation, etc. I had one Pain Management specialist refuse to do the injection because he said the muscle is too deep. I try to exercise 4-5 times per week, walking/jogging, yoga. Heat will usely help too. My SI joint is what hurts a lot, too. I'm about ready to start running again even if it hurts sometimes because not exercising is bad for my mental state!! Going up stairs for me is the worst. Keep in touch; I'm always open to new ideas!
______________________________________________________________________________________
Sandy
Jun 5, 2008 - 8:12PM
Quote Reply
Re: Piriformis
Kim - was wondering if it bothers you enough to keep you from sleeping?? I can literally go for a run and it won't hurt, or it might! Can go into a yoga class with it hurting so bad, and come out with it feeling better, or vice versa! Did you do something 6 years ago that triggered it??? I need to try the LTBP system, but at this point I feel kinda' negative (WHICH IS BAD, I KNOW), am so tired of spending tons of $$ on co-pays at doctors, etc., but don't want to give up, either.
______________________________________________________________________________________
kim
Jun 5, 2008 - 8:54PM
Quote Reply
Re: Piriformis
Hi Yes if I lay on my left hip it hurts, if I lay on my back I can feel my left buttock tight or swollen. My best option is on my stomach but I find my neck hurts from this.
I will give the LTBP system a go, I really don’t have any other options left. I find the pain when working makes me angry, snappy and my social life is affected.
Cheers
Kim
______________________________________________________________________________________
Sandy
Jun 5, 2008 - 8:58PM
Quote Reply
Re: Piriformis
Best of luck Kim- keep in touch. Amen to the angry part - I get that way too, and depressed. Good to talk to you!
~~ Sandy
______________________________________________________________________________________