Spine Health & Spinal Hygiene

Introduction

The muscles in our body help us be active when we want to be, rest and repair after activities, and continue to provide everyday movements that help keep the body functioning correctly. For athletes and the general population, physical training and eating healthy foods help deliver fuel to not only the internal organs but also help support the muscles, ligaments, and skeletal joints from injuries. As many individuals start to think about their health and wellness, many factors tend to pop up that can cause them to halt their health and wellness journey. Issues like stress, accidents, traumatic events, and lifestyle habits can affect the body and, over time, can become the risk of developing into chronic problems. An example would be where a person is experiencing hip pain associated with piriformis syndrome. Today’s article looks at piriformis syndrome, how it can cause more than hip pain, and how there are available treatments for piriformis syndrome. We refer patients to certified providers specializing in musculoskeletal therapies to help those with piriformis syndrome. We also guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is the solution to asking our providers insightful questions. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

What Is Piriformis Syndrome?

Have you been experiencing pain radiating from the buttock down to your legs? Does it hurt when you are sitting down? Or are you feeling tingling sensations and numbness on your butt and thighs? Some of these symptoms might be signs that you might be experiencing piriformis syndrome. Research studies have defined piriformis syndrome as a clinical condition where everyday stress affecting the body causes the piriformis muscle (the small muscle deep in the buttock region) to become tight and irritates the sciatic nerve. When that sciatic nerve becomes aggravated, it can become the risk of developing into sciatica. Many individuals don’t realize that the sciatic nerve also gets affected when their piriformis muscles in the buttock region become overused and tight through strenuous activities. This is due to the belief that any unusual traumatic abnormality in the piriformis muscle will be associated with sciatica symptoms. However, when a person is experiencing buttock pain that travels down the leg caused by the affected piriformis muscle, many will rule out some of the more common causes of sciatica like nerve root impingement triggered by disc herniation.

Surprisingly, three primary causing factors can be associated with piriformis syndrome. The first causing factor is myofascial trigger points may be the results of referred pain (pain or discomfort from another body location). The second causing factor is nerve entrapment against the greater sciatic foramen passing through the various piriformis muscles. And finally, the third causing factor is sacroiliac joint dysfunction due to piriformis muscle spasm. Studies reveal that the piriformis muscle helps stabilize the sacroiliac joint; when the small muscle starts to become irritated, it causes pain in the buttock region. But how does sacroiliac dysfunction relates to piriformis syndrome? Well, since low back pain is associated with sacroiliac dysfunction, the pain will often radiate down to the knee and the groin muscles while becoming a risk of developing piriformis syndrome. 

General Disclaimer *

The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*

Many people commonly describe feeling shooting pain down their leg along with back pain. Numerous factors could be causing these frequent symptoms but before treating an individual with back and leg pain, a proper diagnosis is first required to identify the source of the problem.

One of the most common causes for symptoms of pain, numbness, and tingling sensations originating from the back and traveling down the leg could suggest a disc problem on the lower back. Disc complications, such as disc bulges, disc inflammation due to injury, herniated discs, and disc extrusions, are all painful conditions that could affect a person’s lifestyle. While many people consider surgery as an option for treating their spine injuries or conditions, chiropractic treatment through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulation can also help treat and improve the symptoms of many spine-related injuries and conditions. Regardless of the treatment options you may choose to follow, the healing process usually requires time and patience to completely restore the natural state of your body.

If you’re experiencing pain, you can apply ice to the affected area. The ice will help to reduce the inflammation of the muscle and help decrease the compression of the nerves. Complications of the spine and its symptoms may not go away over night but with regular and frequent care, you can eventually begin to feel better.