Piriformis syndrome is a type of non-discogenic sciatica.
Most of the time sciatica is caused by a bulging disc or a herniated disc. In the case of piriformis syndrome the sciatica symptoms are not related to the disc. They are due to dysfunction of the piriformis muscle.
It’s important to figure out if your sciatica symptoms are due to an issue at the lower back level (herniated disc) or an issue at the piriformis muscle level.
How you address your sciatica is dependent on what the primary cause is.
If the symptoms are coming from a herniated disc you’ll want to figure out if you have a directional preference and focus on movement work into that directional preference. Sciatica Relief with Specific Directional Preference Exercise
If your sciatica pain is due to piriformis syndrome you need to address dysfunction of the piriformis and pelvic girdle musculature. The first step is to determine if you even have piriformis syndrome.
The tests outlined in this video will give you a good idea if your sciatica pain is due to piriformis syndrome.
You’re going to do the piriformis stretch test, the FAIR test, and the piriformis contraction test. You’re going to see if any or all of these tests provoke the familiar buttock, posterior thigh, and/or lower leg sciatica pain. If these tests do make your sciatica pain come on or make it worse, there’s a good chance you have piriformis syndrome.
Be certain not to confuse lower back pain or hip pain with sciatica symptoms.
For these tests to be positive they need to provoke deep buttock pain, posterior thigh pain, or lower leg pain.
In the next video we will cover some specific exercise drills to address impairments that are often present in those with piriformis syndrome.
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