What Are the Treatments for Sciatica Piriformis Syndrome?
If you have shooting pain down the side or back of your leg, you may be suffering from Piriformis Syndrome. Piriformis Syndrome is when your sciatic nerve is irritated or pinched by your piriformis muscle or piriformis tendon, which in turn sends numbness, tingling and pain down your leg. You can obtain pain relief through simple stretching exercises and techniques done at home, but if those prove unhelpful, you may have to resort to other treatments. Various factors, such as spinal disorders, can cause sciatic nerve irritation, so it's important to learn to distinguish the main cause of your sciatica.
Medicated Shots
One option for pain relief from Piriformis Syndrome is to receive an anesthetizing injection or corticosteroid shot to the area. Your physician may deliver the medicated shots to specific "trigger points" to best relieve the pain (the trigger points being the most painful spots on your buttocks). The shots relieve possible muscle spasms that are causing the nerve irritation, and they may decrease or eliminate the sciatic pain, with results lasting for many months. Cortisone shots are generally limited to three a year, so if your shots wear off too soon, you may be denied further access to them.
Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
To help relieve the pain and inflammation of the piriformis, take some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The relief can be temporary, but will be enough for you to complete daily activities. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen should be taken as directed. Avoid overdosing, since the drugs can have harmful effects on your internal organs. If OTC drugs do not help, you may need stronger pain-relieving medication. Have your attending physician examine you and prescribe the medication as needed.
Massage
Having a massage therapist or physical therapist perform some deep-tissue massage in the area may help the piriformis muscle to relax its tight grip on your sciatic nerve. Pay attention to the pressure your therapist exerts and how your body responds to the massage, as too much pressure may cause your piriformis to seize up. You may want to try different bodywork therapies--including acupressure, trigger-point therapy and shiatsu--if regular massage does not help.
Acupuncture
The application of hair-thin needles in your body, and sometimes in the local area of the pain, will help relieve the tension of the piriformis muscle. A standard Chinese-style acupuncture treatment may include needles inserted into your rear until the needle elicits an electrical sensation. Acupuncture can help relax the muscle and, in doing so, relieve the spasms. Your acupuncturist may also add electrical stimulation to the needles to further relax the muscle and relieve the pain.
Physical Therapy
Much of the pain and tension in your rear can be relieved with specific exercises and stretches. Stretching exercises to treat the sciatica are various hamstring and low-back stretches. These aim to stretch, relax and strengthen the hip rotator muscles. For more customized and specific exercises, talk to your physical therapist. Be careful of further tightening the muscle through strength-training exercises and aggravating the sciatic nerve.
Surgery
Surgery should be considered only as the last resort and only if the pain is unbearable. If consistent treatments with NSAIDs or other therapies are providing you little relief, a surgical procedure may be performed that includes loosening or releasing the piriformis tendon. Surgery always carries risks, and there is a possibility that the pain will still be present after the surgery, so consider this before deciding.
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