Piriformis Syndrome Background

Piriformis syndrome is a condition that involves the inflamation of the sciatic nerve by the piriformis muscle. Piriformis muscle syndrome is sometimes known as "wallet sciatica" or "fat wallet syndrome" because piriformis syndrome can be caused or exacerbated by sitting down with a large wallet in the rear pocket of a pair of pants. Piriformis syndrome can only be diagnosed in a clinical setting, and only by first ruling out other possible causes of the pain, such as sciatic pain due to a herniated disk.

Piriformis Syndrome Treatment

Piriformis syndrome treatment can be aggressive or conservative, although an aggressive course of piriformis syndrome treatment is rarely attempted because it typically responds well to a more conservative treatment plan. Piriformis syndrome exercises typically focus on strengthening the piriformis muscle, although some piriformis syndrome exercises are also concerned with strengthening abdominal, back, hip, and hamstring muscles in an attempt to alleviate pain and restore lost range of motion.