WHERE IS IT? It lies behind the main muscle of the bottom (gluteus maximus). It attaches on the outside of the sacrum under the base of the spine, and attaches onto the greater trochanter (little bump on the outside of the femur near the top of the leg). WHAT DOES IT DO? It, along with other muscles, outwardly rotates the leg. The muscle is rarely used for this function, but more stabilising and controlling movements. It prevents the leg from excessive inward rotation. HOW IT CAN BE INJURED? Dance, squash, and gymnastics type activities require forced external rotation (take your leg outwards). If the muscle is not strong enough to cope with these movements tension can build up in the muscle, injuring it by actually pulling it is very rare. The main cause of problems with the piriformis is when the tension does build up it can thicken. This thickening of the muscle can impinge the sciatic nerve and cause pain which travels from your bottom down the back of your leg. The reason for this is that the piriformis runs very close if not sometimes through the sciatic nerve, which can be as big as your little finger. If you have a back problem this can cause problems with the piriformis. RE-HAB Ice initially
Piriformis stretching exercises
All the above will help but the best way to alleviate the problem is by manipulation or frictioning of the piriformis to free the tethering of the sciatic nerve which runs from your bottom down to your foot
If none of these treatments are successful a specialist can administer a steroid into the muscle but this would be a last resort.
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