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Avoid These Positions To Relieve Back Pain, Hip Pain, & Piriformis Syndrome

Quite often, Back Pain, Hip Pain & Piriformis Syndrome is caused by excessive compression or strain on the tissue in or about the back/hip. This includes things like the joints in the lower back, sciatic nerve, deep hip muscles (including the piriformis), hip joint, labrum, and the glute tendons. The result is often pain, numbness, or tingling in the buttock, groin, hip, or leg.  

In actuality, most of time, stretching things just makes these problems worse! (watch the video below to learn more)  

Stretching tissue or compressing it- increases strain and lengthens tissue very temporarily, causing less blood supply and oxygen to get to the tissue. What most people don't realize is that there are likely positions throughout the day that are making these issues worse (or keeping them from healing). Positions that have become habits... Like- crossing your legs, standing with weight shifted onto one leg, or sleeping with the hip in a funky position (falling across body). These positions place strain and compression on tissues around the hip and can often continue to "spark" the fire or knick the scab.

Without correcting these positions, exercises may help, but often- the pain will return. To create a more optimal healing environment for problems like piriformis syndrome, sciatic nerve pain, hip bursitis/arthritis, hip impingement, back problems, or gluteal tendinopathy- be sure to correct day-2-day habits (seen in video above) to create the most optimal healing environment.

Call my office at 484-552-3767 to speak with me directly and to see if you qualify for a complimentary Lower Back & Hip Diagnostic Assessment.

The Cause Of Dull, Achy, Annoying Pain In The Buttock, Hamstring, or Calf

There are two types of leg pain… REFERRED and RADIATING. leg pain… OR BOTH. One is Sciatica- the other is not… but they can feel similar and be felt in the same places- in the back, buttock, hamstring, or calf area.

Referred pain is just as it sounds… pain referred or signals sent from one place to another. So, in the spine- the structures like the joints and discs in the back can send pain signals to parts of the body (other than just the back) into the buttock and down the leg. Depending on which structure is irritated will determine where you feel your symptoms… Referred pain is “non specific” and LARGER in coverage than radiating pain. It is often described as deep and achy and hard to pin point exactly…

On the other hand- Radiating pain often involves irritation or compression of the nerve in the back… often termed as sciatica. Radiating pain takes a more specific path- and is often described as electric, shooting, or burning… you might even feel numbness or tingling.

And because a herniated DISC is the number one cause of SCIATICA many people have BOTH types of pain… which can be felt in the buttock, hamstring, or calf area.

The key to solving either of these is to understand the “TRIGGERS” or the activities, things, or positions that make your back, buttock, leg, or calf pain worse. Once you understand what makes it worse- you can often make it better.

Natural treatment involves using movement as medicine to move the spine and leg in ways that reduce pressure on painful structures allowing your body to heal.

I know- complicated right? Well, if you’re in the Royersford, Limerick, Collegeville, Phoenixville, or Trappe, PA area- and have questions about back pain treatment or need specialized physical therapy- call 484 552 3767 or email charliejohnsondpt@gmail.com

There’s A 90% Chance You Have Sciatica If You Have These 5 Things.

Do you or someone you know have sciatica?  OR do you THINK you have it? Most people think they have sciatica- when in actually they don't. Truth is, if you're dealing with some form of back, buttock, or leg pain- there's only a 4% chance that it's caused by sciatica. Despite what you've been told (and how it seems like everybody says they have sciatica) it's actually pretty rare. Keep reading or watch my video below to learn 5 telltale signs of sciatica, including one simple 30 second self-test to confirm if you have it. 

Now, sciatica is simply an irritation of the sciatic nerve as it runs from the back, down the back of the leg, into the foot. Causes include many things like herniated discs, piriformis syndrome, and spinal stenosis. Common telltale signs that you have a problem with the sciatica nerve (sciatica) include:

1-Feelings of Numbness, Tingling, Burning, Shooting down your leg

2-And these feelings travel down your leg in a very narrow path/band (usually 1-2 inches in width that can be traced with your finger down the back of your leg).

3-And your leg pain is now worse than you back pain.

4-And you have pain below the level of the knee (maybe even into the foot).

5-Stretching the sciatic nerve is painful, limited, or uncomfortable. (watch second half of video for self movement test)

If you've got all 5 of these signs- research shows that there is a greater than 90% chance that you have sciatica as the cause of your leg pain.​

The first step to relief is to find out what triggers your back pain, numbness, or tingling and modify or tweak those things.  The next step is to use specific movements to reduce irritation on the nerve. 

If sciatica is keeping you from doing the things you love (or just keeping you up at night) give us a call at 484-552-3767 and we can help get you back to normal.