Piriformis Syndrome and Back Pain
While back pain is a common problem for many Americans, there are some disorders that can actually have back pain as one of their primary problems. One of these disorders is Piriformis syndrome, which is an uncommon neuromuscular disorder that forces the piriformis muscle to push down, or compress, the sciatic nerve. This particular muscle is not unlike a rubber band and is located in the buttock area by your hip joint. While it can assist with lower body movement and flexibility, sufferers of Piriformis Syndrome often find that their symptoms prevent them from exercising regularly or moving easily.
Many of the symptoms that Piriformis Syndrome sufferers have are not unlike normal back pain complaints, which is one of the reasons that it is difficult to diagnose. While it may start with pain or tingling in the buttock region, it can often grow to become more severe and problematic with time. As the piriformis muscle continues to contract over the sciatic nerve, activities such as walking, running, or even simply sitting down can become so painful that the sufferer is unable to feel comfortable at all.
Unfortunately, there is no definitive test to determine if a patient has Piriformis Syndrome, and as many of the symptoms are quite similar to other back complaints, it can be difficult to diagnose. Some of the ways that patients cope with the prognosis is to avoid sitting or standing in one position for prolonged periods of time. Additionally, physiotherapy and holistic methods, such as the ones in use at the Integrated Spine & Sports clinic, have proven to be exceptionally useful in helping sufferers to overcome their issues.
Source: https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/piriformis-syndrome-causes-symptoms-treatments
Our approach to treating back pain
By visiting a back pain specialist clinic such as Integrated Spine & Sports, the professionals there can help individually tailor a program to help both manage your symptoms and work on your recovery.
We offer non-surgical options for the treatment of injuries and medical conditions affecting the back, with an integrative approach that may include:
Back Pain Specialists
Our back pain specialists in Manhattan create custom treatments designed to meet the needs of people suffering from acute pain due to injury, as well as those experiencing chronic conditions affecting the muscles, discs, soft tissue and nerves within the back, cervical spine, and neck.
Our integrative team, consisting of a board-certified physiatrist, chiropractors, and physical therapists, offers comprehensive treatment for acute and chronic back pain treatment in NYC.
Back Pain FAQs
Some of the common symptoms of COVID-19 are “aches and pains”. Some patients do experience back pain, especially in the lower back. In some cases, the pain is subtle but constant. In others, it is an intense, pulsating pain, which can radiate down to the legs. If the back pain persists, consult your doctor.
Generally, the best position to sleep is on your back. Sleeping on one’s back ensures that the spine is in a neutral position, which can help with back pain. You can also put a pillow under your knees, legs, and/or lower back to support the natural curve of the spine. This can minimize lumbar pressure and relieve back pain.
If doing gentle back stretches doesn’t do the trick, then try strengthening your core so your spine isn’t struggling to stay upright. Heat therapy and cold therapy can also work well for pain relief. If your back pain is a result of poor posture or a bad workstation setup, make the necessary changes to avoid back pain in the future.
Your back pain is likely serious if it occurs with any of the following symptoms: numbness in lower body, loss of bladder/bowel control, fever, unexplained weight loss, swelling. In such cases, please consult a physiatrist immediately.
Short-term (or acute) back pain lasts a few days to a few weeks. This is often the case with back pain, and patients usually recover without medical treatment. Sometimes, it lasts for 12 weeks or longer. This is called chronic back pain, and it can take a while to go away. Medical treatment often helps relieve chronic backpain, so we recommend consulting a physiatrist.
Acupuncture provides short-term relief for chronic back pain. Back pain is actually the number 1 reported reason people seek acupuncture. By stimulating the various acupuncture points associated with back pain, parts of the nervous system are also stimulated, which can help provide pain relief.
