Sciatica is Common in Runners and People Who Sit for a Living
Sciatica is a Symptom Not a Diagnosis
Pain in to the back of your leg (Sciatica) and your buttock is a sign that you are putting pressure on your Sciatic nerve.
- The most common cause of this nerve compression is a bulging or herniated disc in your low back.
- Click here for more information about this cause.
The second most common cause of nerve compression is piriformis syndrome.
- Piriformis muscle is a deep muscle in your buttock and lies directly over the sciatic nerve.
- When this muscle tightens or spasms, it puts pressure directly on the sciatic nerve.
- When this muscle causes pressure on the nerve it can lead to leg symptoms.
What are the Symptoms of Sciatica
- Pain
- Paresthesia
- Numbness beginning in the gluteal region and radiating along the course of the sciatic nerve.
- Symptoms are often provoked by holding any one position for longer than 15-20 minutes - particularly prolonged sitting or standing.
- Patients may report increasing discomfort when walking, running, stair climbing, riding in a car, or arising from a seated position.
What is Management of Piriformis Syndrome
- Stretching
- Myofascial release
- Correction of underlying biomechanical dysfunction
- Patients may need to temporarily limit provocative activities, including hill and stair climbing, walking on uneven surfaces, intense downhill running or twisting
- Patients should avoid sitting on one foot and take frequent breaks from prolonged standing, sitting and car rides.
- Stretching of the piriformis muscle is crucial and may be performed with seated, prone or quadruped maneuvers.
