Deep Gluteal Syndrome (Formerly known as Piriformis Syndrome)
The presence of deep pain in the buttock or posterior hip which is caused from non-discogenic and extrapelvic entrapment of the sciatic nerve is called Deep Gluteal Syndrome. Prior in medicine deep pain in the buttock was referred to as Piriformis Syndrome. This is because the main muscle palpated which was painful in the deep buttock or posterior hip is the piriformis muscle. However, many more structures are in the deep buttock area that can be a cause of or contributing factor to deep pain in the buttock. The sciatic nerve runs through the sciatic notch underneath the piriformis in...
Read MoreTreating Sciatica Pain During Pregnancy
We just evaluated a pregnant patient with complaints of sciatica pain down her left leg. She is in her third trimester and due in April. She presents with a sacral torsion which is when the fused triangular shaped bone at the bottom of the spine is rotated to one side. This can cause irritation/inflammation to the sacroiliac joints and the sacral nerves on either side which can cause a referral of pain into the buttock or down the back of the leg. We performed soft tissue mobilization to the pelvis and spine, joint mobilization, muscle energy techniques, and issued stretching exercises. She...
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