Piriformis Syndrome Treatment Doctors in NYC

What is Piriformis Syndrome?

The sciatic nerve is the longest and largest nerve in the body, extending from the lower back down through the buttocks and legs. Piriformis syndrome occurs when the piriformis muscle, deep in the buttock, spasms the sciatic nerve, leading to inflammation. This can potentially cause pain or numbness in the buttocks and the back of the leg.

While piriformis syndrome may technically occur on both sides of the body, it is more likely to appear on one side. It produces localized pain and occasionally radiating pain that can dramatically affect mobility and normal activities.

Symptoms of Piriformis Syndrome

The key symptom of piriformis syndrome is buttock pain, but it can appear in many forms and frequently extends further.

Typical symptoms include:

• Sharp, shooting, burning, or aching buttock pain
• Pain that radiates down the back of the thigh and leg
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the buttocks and legs

Keep in mind that the symptoms and severity can vary greatly from person to person. Because the symptoms can mimic sciatica from a disc herniation, an accurate diagnosis by a qualified healthcare provider is vital.

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Amr Hosny, MD, MBA, FASABook Now David Chu, MD, FAAPMRBook Now Vivek Mehta, MD, FAAPMRBook Now Deepali Gupta, MD, DABA, DABPMBook Now

What Typically Causes the Piriformis Syndrome?

The Piriformis muscle starts at the lower spine and connects to the upper surface of each femur. It assists in rotating the hip and turning the leg outward and runs diagonally, with the sciatic nerve running vertically directly beneath it. Piriformis syndrome results from irritation of the piriformis muscle, which often leads to painful spasms.

Common causes behind the condition and its main triggers include:

• Sports
• Hiking
• Exercising
• Running
• Walking
• Sitting for long periods of time
• Walking up stairs

The piriformis muscle can also irritate the sciatic nerve and cause the same pain, numbness, and tingling along the back of the leg. This tingling and numbness can even continue down into the foot. Moreover, piriformis syndrome is often confused with other conditions, especially lumbar spine conditions.

How is Piriformis Syndrome Diagnosed?

Piriformis syndrome is diagnosed by ruling out other possible causes. Your doctor will inquire about symptoms and physical activity, as well as physically examine you for medical history, including prior injury. A piriformis syndrome specialist will try stretches, rotations, presses, and movements on your hip, buttock, and leg to determine which areas are sore.

You may also be required to undergo the following tests:

• Ultrasound
• CT scan
• MRI
• Electromyogram

These tests won’t diagnose piriformis syndrome itself, but your doctor can use them to identify other conditions that could be causing your symptoms.

Treatment Options for Piriformis Syndrome

Our New York Pain Care clinic has experienced healthcare professionals who provide an array of specialized therapies to effectively manage piriformis syndrome and relieve your pain.

Effective and common methods include:

• Specialized Physical Therapy: Tailored exercise programs and manual therapy to develop strength, improve flexibility, and normalize imbalances. This directly targets muscle tension and biomechanics.
• Therapeutic Injections: Precise injections of corticosteroids into the piriformis muscle for significant pain and inflammation reduction. This offers selective relief at the source.
• Advanced Pain Management Procedures: Treatments to control nerve pain and ease muscle spasms for extreme or chronic cases. This offers more specialized options for continued distress.
• Ergonomic Counsel and Evaluation: Evaluation of daily activities with guidance to minimize piriformis muscle strain. This helps to address contributing factors that are an issue in your daily routine.
• Chiropractic adjustments: Chiropractic corrects any misalignments or imbalances that could be contributing to the condition.
• Acupuncture: The insertion of thin needles at specific points on the body to stimulate healing and pain relief.

Our goal is to provide you with the finest, evidence-based therapies in NYC to relieve you from your piriformis syndrome, restore your function, and resume your normal activities more comfortably.

At New York Pain Care, we understand that the first step to recovery is an accurate diagnosis. Our board-certified doctors, using cutting-edge technology, specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of piriformis syndrome. We follow a personalized approach based on the specific symptoms you may have. Once we understand your specific case, we can develop a treatment plan for you that provides lasting relief.

Don’t let piriformis pain affect your lifestyle. Call us today or book an appointment online now to take the first step in the process of recovery.

New York Pain Care
20 Squadron Blvd, Suite 290
New City, NY 10956
(212) 242-8160