Where is piriformis

Sciatica Exercises for Piriformis Syndrome Video. You are here Conditions Sciatica. What Is Piriformis Syndrome? Peer Reviewed. See What Is Piriformis Syndrome? The first thing you need to know about your piriformis muscle is that it is located in your buttock. More specifically, the muscle starts in your lower spine and passes through your greater sciatic notch. It then attaches to the upper part of each of your femurs you have a piriformis muscle on either side of your body.

See Sciatic Nerve Anatomy Video. Your piriformis muscle runs diagonally, and your large sciatic nerve runs below it. However, for some people all or part of their sciatic nerve runs through their piriformis muscle. See Sciatic Nerve and Sciatica.

Your piriformis muscle has 2 main functions. A piriformis muscle spasm can put pressure on the sciatic nerve and cause symptoms. The result is piriformis syndrome. Sciatica is the main symptom of piriformis syndrome.

You may experience others, however. Often the discomfort is felt in another part of the body, such as the back of the leg.

This is known as referred pain. In serious cases of piriformis syndrome, the pain in your buttocks and legs can be so severe it becomes disabling. You may become unable to complete basic, everyday tasks, such as sitting at a computer, driving for any length of time, or performing household chores. The piriformis gets a workout every day. You use it when you walk or turn your lower body. You even use it just from shifting your weight from one side to the other.

The muscle can become injured or irritated from long periods of inactivity or too much exercise. Injuries can also damage the muscle and cause it to press down on the sciatic nerve.

Typical piriformis injury causes include:. Anyone who sits for long periods of time, such as people who sit at a desk all day or in front of a television for extended periods of time, are at a higher risk for piriformis syndrome.

See your doctor if you experience pain or numbness in your buttocks or legs that lasts more than a few weeks. Sciatica can linger for several weeks or longer, depending on the cause. You should also see your doctor if your symptoms come and go frequently. Your doctor appointment will include a review of your medical history, your symptoms, and any possible causes of your pain. Be prepared to discuss your symptoms in detail.

If you had a recent fall or recall straining a muscle during sports, be sure to share that information with your doctor. Your doctor will also do a physical exam. You will be put through a range of movements in order to tell what positions cause pain. Some imaging tests may also be necessary to help rule out other causes of your pain. An MRI scan or a CT scan may help your doctor determine whether arthritis or a ruptured disk is causing your pain.

If it appears that piriformis syndrome is causing your symptoms, an ultrasound of the muscle may be helpful in diagnosing the condition. Rest and avoiding activities that trigger your symptoms are usually the first approaches to take. You may feel better if you alternate ice and heat on your buttocks or legs. Keep the ice on for 15 to 20 minutes.

Then use a heating pad on a low setting for about the same time. Try that every few hours to help relieve the pain.