Headaches & Nerve Pain
Piriformis Syndrome
Buttock pain, sometimes with leg symptoms, associated with the piriformis muscle.
Also called: Deep buttock pain.
The piriformis is a small muscle deep in the buttock that sits close to the sciatic nerve. When it becomes tight or overworked, people describe a deep, localized buttock ache that can refer down the back of the leg, often worse with prolonged sitting or stair climbing.
The exact relationship between this muscle and the nerve varies from person to person, which is part of why the same label can describe somewhat different presentations depending on the individual.
Why this matters
It is commonly confused with nerve root irritation coming from the low back, since both can produce buttock and leg symptoms. Distinguishing between them affects what makes sense to look at next.
Sitting for long periods, driving, and activities that involve repeated hip rotation tend to aggravate it, which is useful information when working out what is contributing to the pattern.
The brain & nervous-system connection
Where the nervous system fits in
How the hip and pelvis are controlled during standing and walking influences how much work this muscle has to do, so gait and single-leg balance are part of a thorough evaluation.
Because the sciatic nerve runs near this muscle, sensation and reflex testing in the leg are still used to check whether the nerve pathway itself is being affected.
What we look at
We look for patterns, not a single test
- Detailed health history and consultation
- NeuroInfiniti Stress Response Evaluation
- Posture and movement
- Balance and coordination testing
- Eye movement or neurological screening when appropriate
- Grip or motor-function testing when appropriate
- Palpation and spinal function
- Other examination procedures based on the individual
Not every person receives every test. What we perform depends on your history, your age and what the examination shows as we go.
Scope of care
What this does — and doesn't — mean
What we do
- • We evaluate chiropractic and musculoskeletal function.
- • We look at nervous-system-related functional findings that fall within our scope.
- • We assess movement, balance and coordination findings.
- • We measure stress-response patterns with the NeuroInfiniti evaluation.
- • We make individualized chiropractic care recommendations and re-measure over time.
What we don't claim
- • We do not diagnose, treat or cure diseases.
- • Chiropractic care is not a treatment for dementia, Alzheimer's disease or other neurological diseases.
- • Chiropractic care is not a replacement for medical care, testing or medication.
- • No outcome is promised. Results vary from person to person.
Common questions
- Will I be adjusted on the first visit?
- Generally no. The first visit is an evaluation visit. Dr. Geran reviews the findings and makes recommendations at the follow-up visit.
- Do I need imaging before I come in?
- Not usually. If your history or examination suggests imaging is needed, we will say so and help arrange the right next step.
When medical evaluation may be needed
Some symptoms need medical evaluation first. If anything in your history or examination suggests that, we will say so and help point you in the right direction.
Related at Foothills Chiropractic
- Low Back Pain & Sciatica — Low back pain is common, but the place that hurts is not always where the problem is being driven from.
- Back Pain — One of the most common reasons people look for a chiropractor — and rarely as simple as one sore muscle.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome — Hand numbness and tingling associated with the median nerve at the wrist.
- Cervical Radiculopathy — Arm symptoms that follow a nerve root pattern from the neck.
Think Foothills Chiropractic might be right for you?
Start Here walks you through what the process looks like, so you can decide whether taking the next step makes sense for you.