pyriformis syndrome

adam wilde

Help have had sciatica for 6 months, cannot run more than 6 miles, cycling also problem. Docs cannot find cause and have called it pyriformis syndrome.

have been told only to swim and concentrate on core strength. Have tried stretching, pilates, accupuncture but to no avail.

Does anyone have any experience in fixing this or know of someone who can help.

Had hoped to do the London tri in july but this is looking less and less likely as cannot train.

Cheerrs for any advice,

Adam

Bman

Sounds similar to my woes. A right pain in the bum it is, haha. Anyway, yeah, I think Ive worked mine to come from general weakness of the glutes and associated stabilisers (probs from stopping decent gym work a yr or 2 ago), but continuing with the cycling. Especially on my commute (think im not set up properly on the mtb for 20miles a day), i get lower back and piriformis pain.

So ive been told it boils down to weakness in the muscles that are supposed to be working (mainly glutes) so other muscles try to compensate ie lower back and hip stabilisers. And they arent as strong so you tend to feel them getting tight and sore. So loads of piriformis stretching, a foam roller and plenty of glute-specifc strengthening really helped (with a week it felt stronger).

Variations of the back bridge really helpd a lot: Like this, also one legged lifts and holding this position and lifting alternating feet off the ground slowly while maintaining the position. Hope it helps:

http://bodyweightworkout.wordpress.com/ ... -exercise/

GGB

I think Bman has hit the nail on the head with his reply.

adam wilde

Thanks a million will give it a go.
How quick did it take to settle? Is London out of the question?
Adam

Bman

I think if its merely that, then London is defo on for you. But like so many people will tell you here, rather have it checked out by a physio first. Plenty of core stabilisation will help too, and as long as you keep at it, you will feel the effects very quickly, within weeks Id say (as I make a menatal note to do some of these exercises tonight)

Be warned that as you up the traning, you will neeed to maintain or increase these stabilisation exercies, cos the longer/harder you train, the more fatigued muscles get and the more strain it puts on other muscle groups.

I'd sign up and give yourself a goal to get ready for.

HarryD

Well said Bman - a lot of sound advice.

Sounds like something similar to what I had years ago.

I went to a highly recommended sports physio who was pants. The stretching & strenghthening workouts didn't improve things. So when the physio said I might never run again I sought out an osteopath who specialised in sacral work - took a while but the cure has lasted some 20 years. Great if you live near to Harrogate.

One of the big problems is that the hip, pelvis and lower spine area is so complex (and a main player for nearly all movement) with so many muscle groups (plus ligaments & tendons) acting through it that simply streching or strengthening one group can pull something else out of line causing other problems. Also the scaro-illiac joint is fairly unstable. If simple stretching & strengthening don't work then seriously think about getting some professional advice but don't expect a one visit solution.

Hope you get it sorted soon

H

adam wilde

Thanks guys this has really given me hope. I will make sure that in the training there is time for core strength and bridge work, sadly Harrogate is a long trip from Cornwall and as driving is still a pain at the moment I' ll give that one a miss.

Thanks again for all your help, wish I had logged on 4 months ago !

Adam