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Low Back Pain & Sciatica - The Role of the Piriformis Muscle

by: PaulBoxcer
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Low Back Pain and Scaitica (where pain is felt travelling down the leg) are two different conditions. Having said that, they can be closely related with regards to their cause. One such similarity is a tight Piriformis muscle, which can be responsible for either condition.

Deep within the buttock region is where the Piriformis muscle can be found. It is actually attached to the Sacrum, and then travels outwards where it attaches to the outside of the hip. As the Sciatic Neve passes through the buttock area, it travels through, or underneath, the Piriformis muscle.

Nevertheless, if this muscle tightens up it places increased stress upon the Sciatic Nerve and consequently can begin to aggravate it, leading to pain. With regards to Low Back Pain, one of the most important aspects is that this muscle is attached to Sacrum. Consequently, if the Piriformis muscle is tight, it will have an increased 'tugging' effect on this bone.

At the very bottom of the back there is the Sacro-Iliac Joint. This is formed by the Sacrum and the Ilia (the specific part of the pelvis to which the Sacrum attatches to). If a tight Piriformis muscle continues to pull upon the Sacrum, this stress will also be felt upon the Sacro-Iliac Joint. It is this continuous stress across the joint which will lead to pain.

If you find that your Low Back Pain begins not in the lower back itself, but rather a little further down (but above the buttock region), there is a reasonable chance it is Sacro-Iliac pain your are suffering with. Some people often say to me it feels as if the pain is coming from an area below their back where there are a 'couple of dimples'. This is in the area of the Sacro-Iliac joint and if you feel the same, it maybe this joint which is the source of your pain.

Moving on to Sciatica, if the 'highest' part of your pain is in the 'buttock' region, it is highly probable that a tight Piriformis muscle is responsible for your pain. You will need to stretch this muscle if this is the case.

Towards the bottom of this page, you will find an active link which will show you a couple of nice gentle stretches for the Piriformis muscle.

However, another way to loosen up a tight Piriformis muscle is to apply some 'self massage'. You can do this with the use of a tennis ball or something similar:

Lie yourself on your back with your knees bent. Place the ball approximately in the middle of buttock on the side which needs to be massaged (this is approximately where the Piriformis muscle is). From there, gently 'roll' the ball by moving / rotating your buttock, so that the ball gently massages the area underneath.

Due to the close proximity of the Sciatic Nerve to the Piriformis muscle, it is important you take care while performing this exercise. If you are too aggressive, you may simpy end up aggravating the Sciatic Nerve and therefore making your pain worse.

If it does, this is nothing to worry about. However, it is your body's way of telling you it is not ready for that kind of treatment yet. Have a rest for a day or two and then try again, only being a little gentler next time!

If a tight Piriformis muscle is contributing to your Low Back Pain or Sciatica, then gently stretching and massaging this muscle will help alleviate your pain.

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Low Back Pain & Sciatica - The Role of the Piriformis Muscle

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