While back pain is a common problem for many Americans, there are some disorders that can actually have back pain as one of their primary problems. One of these disorders is Piriformis syndrome, which is an uncommon neuromuscular disorder that forces the piriformis muscle to push down, or compress, the sciatic nerve. This particular muscle is not unlike a rubber band and is located in the buttock area by your hip joint. While it can assist with lower body movement and flexibility, sufferers of Piriformis Syndrome often find that their symptoms prevent them from exercising regularly or moving easily.
Many of the symptoms that Piriformis Syndrome sufferers have are not unlike normal back pain complaints, which is one of the reasons that it is difficult to diagnose. While it may start with pain or tingling in the buttock region, it can often grow to become more severe and problematic with time. As the piriformis muscle continues to contract over the sciatic nerve, activities such as walking, running, or even simply sitting down can become so painful that the sufferer is unable to feel comfortable at all.
Unfortunately, there is no definitive test to determine if a patient has Piriformis Syndrome, and as many of the symptoms are quite similar to other back complaints, it can be difficult to diagnose. Some of the ways that patients cope with the prognosis is to avoid sitting or standing in one position for prolonged periods of time. Additionally, physiotherapy and holistic methods, such as the ones in use at the Integrated Spine & Sports clinic, have proven to be exceptionally useful in helping sufferers to overcome their issues.
Source: https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/piriformis-syndrome-causes-symptoms-treatments
