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Pain in the Butt

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jamers3111
jamers3111 Posts: 495 Member
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I literally have this. UGH. It's making running REALLY hard... I mean to the point that I can't even get out 3 miles without walking. March 9th was my last "long" run... a 15K at an 8:40 pace. At this time I was experiencing some piriformis pain but it was bearable. NOW if I run I pay for it for a couple days. I have a 10K on Saturday and I plan on this to be my last run for a month or so which is REALLY depressing (I have been running for over 15 years)... I am not looking forward to putting my running gear away. I have been stretching like crazy and doing yoga on my off days. I even bought a memory foam cushion for my desk chair at work (I sit a lot). Basically I'm just ranting/complaining but if any of you have experienced piriformis syndrome and "fixed" it suggestions are welcome!

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  • LisaGNV
    LisaGNV Posts: 159 Member
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    Have you had any xrays done? I thought I was having the same probs - turned out to be a stress fracture in my hip. Before it was diagnosed, I'd stretch/yoga/foam roll the heck out of it and would get some relief but as soon as I'd try and do anything like elliptical or stair climb, it would flare up again (didn't dare run on it, glad now). Anyhoo... my two cents.
  • schmenge55
    schmenge55 Posts: 745 Member
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    Hope you have better luck than me. Despite numberous doctors, MRIs, PT, even acupunture my pain in the but still exists. That said, this might help you:

    http://www.runnersworld.com/injury-prevention-recovery/inside-doctors-office-kick-pain-your-butt
  • ZenInTexas
    ZenInTexas Posts: 781 Member
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    Have you been to a chiropractor? Works wonders for me.
  • ebaymommy
    ebaymommy Posts: 1,067 Member
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    Have you been to a chiropractor? Works wonders for me.

    I was just going to say that exact thing.
  • jamers3111
    jamers3111 Posts: 495 Member
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    Have you had any xrays done? I thought I was having the same probs - turned out to be a stress fracture in my hip. Before it was diagnosed, I'd stretch/yoga/foam roll the heck out of it and would get some relief but as soon as I'd try and do anything like elliptical or stair climb, it would flare up again (didn't dare run on it, glad now). Anyhoo... my two cents.

    I haven't... this is my last resort. I am going to see how I feel without running first. If it doesn't subside/go away then I will go to an Orthopaedic specialist.

    I refuse to go to a chiropractor. My friend relies on hers now because of all the tweeking, etc. I'd rather try to roll/stretch it out myself then see an actual doctor if that doesn't work.

    Thanks for all the great info... it's just discouraging. I blame the YEARS of me not stretching and the recent years of running bridges. STRETCH STRETCH STRETCH! :)
  • jamers3111
    jamers3111 Posts: 495 Member
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    Hope you have better luck than me. Despite numberous doctors, MRIs, PT, even acupunture my pain in the but still exists. That said, this might help you:

    http://www.runnersworld.com/injury-prevention-recovery/inside-doctors-office-kick-pain-your-butt

    This is actually how I came to my self-diagnosis :) The video cracks me up.
  • LisaGNV
    LisaGNV Posts: 159 Member
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    [I haven't... this is my last resort. I am going to see how I feel without running first. If it doesn't subside/go away then I will go to an Orthopaedic specialist.

    If you do, see if there is a sports specialist. I lucked up with one and he was way more in tune with runner injuries. He spoke our language!! I ended up needing an MRI for the diagnosis, it didn't show up on an xray but it lit up that mri like a christmas tree. Good luck!!
  • jamers3111
    jamers3111 Posts: 495 Member
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    [I haven't... this is my last resort. I am going to see how I feel without running first. If it doesn't subside/go away then I will go to an Orthopaedic specialist.

    If you do, see if there is a sports specialist. I lucked up with one and he was way more in tune with runner injuries. He spoke our language!! I ended up needing an MRI for the diagnosis, it didn't show up on an xray but it lit up that mri like a christmas tree. Good luck!!

    Thank you! That is the plan... luckily we have a wonderful Orthopaedic Institute in my city with several doctors with different specialties. I have a friend experiencing something similar so I plan to go to her doctor, whom she loves.
  • Cheeta_HH
    Cheeta_HH Posts: 489 Member
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    I had the same issue right before (and after) my first 15K race last November. I foam rolled and rested a lot the week before the race, and miraculously I was fine on race day. The pain came back near the end of the month though when I did a 6 mile race a few weeks later. I had trouble even walking without pain after that. I went to the doctor and she told me to just rest it and ease gradually back into running. She made some recommendations for stretches to help and gave me 800 mg ibuprofen. Within about 3 weeks, I was back to my normal running routine. Every now and then after a tough yoga class or a long run, I will feel a little twinge of pain, but I haven't reinjured it. Good luck!
  • Duck_Puddle
    Duck_Puddle Posts: 3,224 Member
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    Massage? Granted, they have to dig in your butt, but it keeps mine at bay. Cured? No, but certainly bearable. My issue is all piriformis.

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