Everyone can face piriformis syndrome, because this pathology is quite common. Tunnel neuropathy can occur due to various diseases or manipulations that provoke muscle tension. With spasm, the sciatic nerve is pinched, which causes discomfort and pain.
When the piriformis muscle is very tense, it restricts rotational movements in the thigh. When bending forward, a pain syndrome occurs. At the same time, a person still feels discomfort in the groin, thigh, lower back and knee joint. That is why it is so important to be aware of how to act if the piriformis is pinched , how to relieve spasm on your own.
Why does the gluteal pain occur?
When the piriformis muscle becomes inflamed, many people want to know how to relieve spasm, the causes of which are primary and secondary. The primary factors provoking the development of this syndrome include:
- injuries in the buttocks and lower back;
- stretching;
- long stay in one position;
- wrong injection;
- muscle strain;
- hypothermia and so on.
There is still a secondary syndrome that occurs as a result of various diseases of the sacral and pelvic organs, not associated with osteochondrosis.
In addition, the causes of piriformis tension are divided into vertebrogenic and non-vertebrogenic. In the first case, the development of this syndrome can be affected by damage and a tumor on the roots of the spinal cord and spine, as well as stenosis of the lumbar region. And non-vertebrogenic factors include pain caused by pathologies of the internal organs, and myofascial syndrome.
Signs of compression of the sciatic nerve
Such an ailment is always acute, so it is difficult not to notice when the piriformis muscle is irritated. How to relieve spasm, the symptoms of which are characterized by the appearance of severe pain, everyone needs to know. Indeed, compression of the nerve endings and blood vessels leads to a violation of the blood supply in the tissues, as well as to neurological disorders.
Piriformis syndrome can manifest itself in different ways. When inflammation occurs that affects the nerve, the following symptoms usually occur:
- Paresthesia (tingling, numbness and crawling).
- Severe pain in the region of the gluteus, thigh, pelvis, in some cases passing to the lower extremities.
- Hypesthesia (decreased sensitivity).
- Disorders of the functions of the genitals and urination.
- Impaired gait.
You need to be aware of what to do if the piriformis muscle is tense, how to relieve spasm when the first signs of the disease occur. With severe inflammation, unbearable pain occurs in a person, the nature of which can be aching, burning or dull. Moreover, they begin to intensify with stress, overheating and movement of the limb.
With long pinching of the nerve, its ischemia occurs, which causes loss of sensation, burning and worsening reflexes. In this case, the discomfort becomes dull and oppressive. Discomfort disappears only when legs are spread apart, when the nerve is relieved of pressure. With damage to blood vessels, a cooling and pallor of the skin occurs.
Pathology Detection Methods
People quite often feel discomfort when the piriformis is inflamed. How to relieve spasm, diagnosis will help to figure it out. To find out that it is this muscle tissue that compresses the nerve root is quite simple. With this syndrome, many patients experience inconsistent pain that appears only after a long walk or in certain positions of the leg.
The specialist most often determines the pathology by palpation of the area where the piriformis muscle is irritated. How to relieve spasm with such an ailment, he will be able to advise only after feeling the damaged place. Thus, the doctor checks for the presence or absence of muscle tissue seals. During the diagnosis, they can still resort to x-rays, novocaine blockade, magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography.
A detailed survey of the patient also helps to identify pathology. After all, it is important for a neurologist to find out when the pain appeared. If recently this area was injured, then most likely the piriformis muscle is inflamed.
How to relieve spasm?
Treatment should be carried out with this syndrome as quickly as possible, since with spasm the neurovascular bundles are compressed. In addition, serious consequences can occur if nothing is done when the piriformis muscle is pinched. How to relieve spasm, complications, as well as pain with this pathology, it is necessary to find out from a specialist.
The first thing in the process of therapy is eliminating the cause that provoked contractions in the muscle. To get rid of pain in the buttocks, prescribe medication, medical gymnastics, physiotherapy and massage. During treatment, the patient will have to limit physical activity.
Treatment of pathology with a medication
The principle of this therapy is the elimination of pain when the piriformis muscle is inflamed. How to relieve spasm with drugs is interesting to many people. To get rid of discomfort when pinching the sciatic nerve, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are taken. These medications help relieve the inflammatory process and eliminate pain.
It is advisable to use intramuscular medications, since with the injection method of drug administration, the effect occurs much faster. In piriformis syndrome, drugs such as Movalis, Diclofenac, Ketarol, Voltaren and others are prescribed.
To eliminate pain, analgesics containing sodium metamizole are also used, for example, "Bral", "Tempalgin" and "Baralgin". And to relieve the spasm, take Drotaverinum.
Muscle relaxants are resorted to if antispasmodics do not help. They help relax spasmodic muscles. The most common muscle relaxant is Midokalm.
To eliminate this pathology, blockade is often performed by administering an anesthetic (lidocaine or novocaine) to relieve spasm and anesthetize. Drug treatment is combined with physiotherapy. They resort to electrophoresis, magnetic currents, magnetic laser exposure and acupuncture.
Physical education in piriformis syndrome
To restore the function of the muscles and release the squeezed nerve, perform a special set of exercises. They should be done calmly and leisurely, while the muscles should relax and stretch. Exercise is recommended 3 times a day. Pain during its execution should not occur.
The first exercise is performed while lying on your back. The lower limbs must be bent and lean against the bed. Then you should slowly raise and connect the knees.
Another exercise is performed in a sitting position. First, the feet should be widely spaced, after which the knees should be joined. Lean on the bed with one hand, then start to get up from it. The assistant should hold the other hand to help straighten up. The connected knees must be gently bred.
Piriformis muscle: how to relieve spasm
Bubnovsky, known for his healing techniques, has developed effective exercises to help eliminate muscle contractions. Such gymnastics is based on the alternation of periods of relaxation and tension of muscle tissue, as well as its stretching.
Many people are interested in if the piriformis is inflamed, how to relieve spasm. Exercises from Professor Bubnovsky help get rid of this syndrome. Here are a few of them:
- Get down on all fours and relax your back, linger in this position for 5 seconds. Perform the exercise at least 5 times.
- In the same position, you should bend your arms at the elbow, after which, on the exhale, buttocks need to lower to the feet, stretching the muscles of the lower back. Then you need to inhale, and as you exhale, take the original position. The movements are repeated 6 times.
- Settle down on your back, put your hands behind your head, bend your knees. Then inhale deeply, and on the exhale, press the chin to the chest. After this, the shoulder blades must be torn off the floor, and elbows reach the knees. When performing the exercise, the abdominal muscles should be tense. Repeat it about 5 times.
It is necessary to master this medical complex gradually, daily adding a new exercise.
Massage to eliminate piriformis syndrome
With this ailment, various types of massage are performed. The patient himself can use simple technology to improve his condition. At home, grinding should be carried out constantly, without the use of additional devices. For self-massage, you only need a comfortable rug.
A regular tennis ball will help get rid of muscle spasms, just slide on it sideways. The painful area can simply be massaged in a circular motion, especially important for acute inflammation.
Buttock spasm treatment with physiotherapy
Effectively relieve pain and tension in the piriformis muscle thermal procedures. With this syndrome, they often resort to low-frequency currents. The following procedures are considered no less effective: electrophoresis, diadynamic therapy, laser treatment and phonophoresis.
Alternative treatments
A person feels very uncomfortable when the piriformis muscle is tense. How can I remove the spasm by folk methods, we will consider in more detail.
For compresses and rubbing, a preparation made from valerian, triple cologne, hot pepper and hawthorn is suitable. All components are thoroughly mixed, and 10 crushed Aspirin tablets are added to the resulting mixture. The medicine should be infused for a week in a dark place.
The horseradish root and black radish are placed in the blender, everything is well chopped. The resulting slurry is added to a tablespoon of salt and acetic acid. The components are mixed and cleaned in a dark place for 7 days. Use the finished product is necessary only for compresses. But keeping them in the affected area for longer than 15 minutes is not recommended.
How to avoid piriformis syndrome?
This pathology is not dangerous to health, however, when the first signs appear, it should definitely be seen by a specialist. In advanced form, the disease can lead to the development of complications. Therefore, it is important to constantly undergo preventive examinations, not to overstrain the lumbar spine and try to avoid hypothermia so as not to freeze the back and nerve roots.