Piriformis Syndrome and Exercises
Piriformis Syndrome is pain similar to sciatica, yet caused by a completely
different source. In Piriformis Syndrome, the sciatic nerve is compressed by the
piriformis muscle. This muscle is deep under the gluteals. The sciatic nerve
passes directly under the piriformis muscle. The pain is similar to sciatica
with pain in the buttocks, which radiates down the legs.
Often, the differential diagnosis for Piriformis Syndrome is often by exclusion.
If the patient has sciatic pain, but shows no spinal reason for a cause,
piriformis syndrome is often indicated. The patient may experience tingling,
numbness, burning, or weakness in the legs and buttocks. Symptoms are often
worsened by long periods of sitting, due to direct pressure exerted on the
piriformis muscle.
Exercise: Piriformis Syndrome
Lay on your back and gently bring one knee up to the chest. Keep the opposite
leg elongated along the floor. Keep the energy of that foot moving out through
the foot. Squeeze and hold the knee to the chest. You can make small circles
with the knee. Pull your abs in and slowly lower the knee. Now gently stretch
the knee so that it crosses your midline and hold the knee there for 15-30
seconds. Switch sides.
Exercise: The Back Strengthener
Do this exercise up to 4 times a day.
Lay on the floor, stomach down. Slowly lengthen out the spine as you raise one
arm and the opposite leg. Exhale as you raise up into an arch. Hold this as your
take two deep breaths. Slowly release back to the floor.
Inhale, as your raise
up the other arm and opposite leg, exhale. Hold this arch again for two deep
breaths. Lower down. Inhale. Then raise both arms, leaving both feet on the
floor. Exhale. Hold the arch as you take two deep breaths. Slowly lower down.
Inhale. Raise both feet off the ground, leaving both arms on the floor. Exhale.
Hold the arch for two deep breaths. Slowly lower down. Inhale. Lastly, raise
both arms and both legs off the floor. Exhale. Hold this full arch for two deep
breaths. Slowly lower down.
Inhale. Repeat entire sequence one more time. This
exercise should flow easily with the breath. (Always feel the energy pulling out
in both directions from the top of the head and hands and out the bottom of the
feet.) Try to arch up further each time. This amazing exercise will relieve back
pain!
https://www.peacefulmind.com/back_pain.htm
