Piriformis Syndrome Diagnosis and Treatment: The “Pain in the Behind”

Piriformis Syndrome Diagnosis and Treatment:  The “Pain in the Behind”
Piriformis Syndrome is the most common cause of sciatica nerve pain.  The piriformis muscle starts at the front of the sacrum (v-shaped bone between the buttocks at the bottom of the spine), through the sciatic notch and attaches to the top of the thigh bone.  Piriformis [...]

The Perils of Travelling: Why Airplanes Cause Piriformis Pain

I just recently returned from a visit to Washington DC. It had been the first time in a while that I travelled with heavy checked luggage (carrying books and clothes for a friend). Thus, I had forgotten all the ways airline travel could cause piriformis muscle pain.

How Can Shoes Can Worsen Piriformis Syndrome?

Several of my friends had some and said good things. So I thought, “why not, I’ll treat myself, it’s time for new shoes anyway.” So later that day, I went searching for my first pair of Nike Shox.

As someone who had an engineering background, I was impressed by the story of Nike Shox. Apparently it [...]

Piriformis Pain Journal – Document Your Journey to Become Pain Free

So after trying everything – doctors, chiropractors, physical therapy, OTC painkillers, prescription painkillers (Vioxx), spine surgeons (but not surgery thank goodness), yoga, and pilates – I knew that my pain would come and go, but I didn’t know why. So I decided to start keeping a pain journal to help me figure out what activities [...]

Why I Tried Chiropractors for my Piriformis Pain

So back in 2003, I had a coworker that rode in a charity bike ride event called the MS150 from Houston to Austin. Although that year I found out too late to begin training, I told him I would do it in 2004.

Vioxx for Piriformis Pain?

Vioxx – a COX-2 selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).  Vioxx
is also related to the nonselective NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen and naproxen. Vioxx is a prescription medicine
used to relieve signs and symptoms of arthritis, acute pain in adults, and painful menstrual cycles.

Once I found a doctor that could correctly diagnose that pain in my butt and leg [...]

Why Generic Physical Therapy Doesn’t Work for Piriformis Syndrome?

“Physical therapy is more a pain in the butt than piriformis syndrome.” Author Unknown

Okay, so I did make up that quote above. But it truly tells of my experience with physical therapy and piriformis syndrome.

So one particular doctor thought physical therapy would help me kick this pain in the piriformis. And although I appreciated his [...]