Piriformis Syndrome Treatment
Unfortunately, due to the nature of the Piriformis syndrome no specific treatment can be prescribed, instead various types of treatment are often combined because they complement each other. So doctors can often prescribe certain anti-inflammatory medication along with physical therapy and deep massage.
So what to do when the pain starts? As i`m sure you will agree, ice comes to mind first. And it`s not a surprise, ice will help cool down inflammatory process (if it is present) and help relax your muscle. It is not a bad idea to lay down in a comfortable position and place the ice on the painful area. You can also incorporate a gentle massage, massage never hurt anyone and is especially effective with all back pain problems, including Piriformis syndrome. But if you are like my wife (she HATES cold), you might find heat to be more suitable. If this is the case you can improvise and find the best solution- sometimes a simple warmed towel can do the trick.
If you are an athlete then you know the importance of stretching, and if you are not- you will quickly find out! Stretching, and movement in general is, according to the latest research, healthiest “thing” we can do for our body. World health organization actually says that insufficient movement is the number one threat to the people`s health, ahead of alcohol and cigarets! That is a mind blowing information, least for me.Insufficient movement weakens the heart and blood vessels and reduces hormon productivity. Movement is single most efficient stimulant for the proper functioning of our body. And movement will strengthen your muscles and aid you in your fight against piriformis syndrome. But dont forget to stretch, stretch when you get up, when you go to bed, before any physical activity and after, it will only do you good.
I advice you to use movement to you advantage but not just any movement. It is crucial that you consult your chiropractic and develop a whole set, or plan of exercises and movement patterns. They must be controlled, because when such a delicate condition is diagnosed, you must be careful and not risk worsening your condition. So always listen to your doctor, and pay attention to what he/she is saying.
As far as the medications go, there is no one specific drug that will make Piriformis syndrome go away. Since pain is usually related to some inflammatory process, doctors usually prescribe non-steroidal anti-inlammatory medications that can help decrease inflammation in the painful area. Patients usually take ibuprofen or naproxen.
Electrotherapy can sometimes be involved, for electrical stimulation can help reduce muscle spasm and in some cases reduce pain.
Last resort i want to mention is surgery. I am not a big fan of invasive procedures but in some cases it is necessary. There are couple options actually:
- First option is to cut the piriformis tendon
- Second option is to cut thru the actual muscle, and remove a small portion of it
- Third option is a newer and less invasive method, where certain medications are applied that can resolve Piriformis syndrome in a few treatments
Related posts: Piriformis Syndrome Symptoms, Piriformis Syndrome Aid
