Piriformis Syndrome?

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asgentr
asgentr Posts: 228 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I haven't seen a doctor but based on my symptoms it seems I am suffering from piriformis syndrome. I'm devastated. I just started exercising again after a long, long time unable to do so. Yesterday I did chair exercises that made me feel geriatric. I'm considering going to a community pool that is a few blocks from us. Has anyone else had this syndrome and found a way to keep doing cardio? Thanks

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  • ew_david
    ew_david Posts: 3,473 Member
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    If you don't have a lacrosse ball (or something similar), you need to get one.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkS75DzL3ig
  • slinke2014
    slinke2014 Posts: 149 Member
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    make an appointment with your doctor. You can be diognosed and then a doctor can refer you to a physiotherapist or something along those lines to get you where you need to be.
  • Elise4270
    Elise4270 Posts: 8,375 Member
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    I have piriformis syndrome. It's now being referred to as Deep Gluteal Syndrome since the impingement can come from other sources other than the PM. I also have pudendal nerve entrapment.

    Best self treatment would be to start nerve gliding exercises, and PM stretching. I can't do a cardio or a yoga class. But I can run, swim, and hoping by spring to work in biking with a new saddle.

    Depending on your cause, it may be a chronic condition. Find a hip specialist, some specialized PT, and keep in mind there is no tried and true treatment currently. Buyer beware of those in the US that sell a cure.

    I'm undergoing shots and lined up for a two part surgery at some point. Muscle relaxers, heat, and massage seem to help.
  • Elise4270
    Elise4270 Posts: 8,375 Member
    edited January 2016
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    _dracarys_ wrote: »
    If you don't have a lacrosse ball (or something similar), you need to get one.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkS75DzL3ig

    I was told no LX ball. Tennis ball was OK though as long as there is no direct pressure on the nerve . But mines bad. So it maybe alright if yours is just tight.
  • b_magill
    b_magill Posts: 72 Member
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    As an LMT, I have helped dozens of folks cure their periformis syndrome. Find a qualified massage therapist. Be aware that most insurance will not pay for massage therapy, but I've seen it work dozens of times. Every single time, as a matter of fact.
  • 4theking
    4theking Posts: 1,196 Member
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    b_magill, I need your help! lol I chronically suffer from this. No fun! The above exercise does help some.
  • asgentr
    asgentr Posts: 228 Member
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    I'm using a pool noodle to foam roll it. It seems to help temporarily. Mostly I wish I could find a cardio exercise to do while I'm dealing with this.
  • asgentr
    asgentr Posts: 228 Member
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    Joleneee421: Sorry to hear of your struggle. Were you able to do any cardio during that recovery time?
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,179 Member
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    See a dr. You cannot self diagnose and you could be scaring yourself over nothing.
  • KillRKit
    KillRKit Posts: 18 Member
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    In my case, it seems to pop up whenever it's most inconvenient....like right before you have to drive 1500miles home. I find doing the foam roller and tennis ball will lessen the pain enough to allow me to "walk it off". I just walk for at least 90mins everyday (the longer the better) and re-roll it out afterward until one day magically I am able to get out of bed without crawling (usually around a week). But I can't do any extended period of sitting during that week or it extends the time.
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
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    you can try tennis balls and foam rolling. yoga can help-be sure to tell the instructor if you are having issues.
    see a doctor.
    a good massage can help too.
  • VioletRojo
    VioletRojo Posts: 596 Member
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    I have finally recovered from periformis syndrome after months of pain. I received some massage and therapies from my Dr., but the thing that was most helpful was this stretch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFtUgS69rPk&list=PL6r-m4eqb8bGWZqlRPWMJAS-7LFWXCq5e

    I did this stretch two or three times a day and started getting better within a couple of weeks. It still took months for the pain to go away completely.
  • asgentr
    asgentr Posts: 228 Member
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    Thanks everyone. To those who have recovered, were you able to do cardio during and/or after recovery? Thanks
  • VioletRojo
    VioletRojo Posts: 596 Member
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    I kept running and lifting during and after.
  • rudy336
    rudy336 Posts: 66 Member
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    yes, see a doctor as soon as possible. i did about 2 months of weekly physical therapy. he even did something called a "dry needle" long story short, he takes a very long needle, inserts it on the side of your buttocks where the pain is, and wiggles it back and forth until it forces the nerve to relax. it was the worst pain ever. acutally, it was my motivation to lose weight. i weighed 242 pounds, now im down to to 210/212 and feel great. that was the straw that broke the camels back ever since i dealt with that in november of 2013, i have been serious about exercise and weight loss. good luck.
  • asgentr
    asgentr Posts: 228 Member
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    Thanks to all for the information and support. I resumed the elliptical for 15 minutes today and did foam rolling plus stretches. So far so good. I will call the Dr., as well.
  • marcelo_templario
    marcelo_templario Posts: 653 Member
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    Would you describe it as an streak of pain down your cheek to the knee? I suffered that...very bad...
  • asgentr
    asgentr Posts: 228 Member
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    It's really only in the lower left cheek - deep inside. It hurts worse when I sit or lie down. Today it is pretty much gone, but I took an ibuprofen this morning for other aches (I've been doing upper body during recovery). Today I did very mild elliptical for 15 then 10 minutes. So far so good. I foam rolled before and after and did stretches. I plan to check out our local pool as a way to break up my elliptical use.

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