Piriformis Syndrome Suffered For 23 Years Restored To Fitness In A Few Weeks By Getfitstayfit Norfolk For This Norwich Lady

I started to get a sore hip about 23 years ago, it’s on set coincided with starting to drive. It hurt on and off for about 16 years, it was inconvenient at times, but not too bad. Then just over 7 years ago my whole lower back and hamstrings became very tight and sore pretty much all the time. There were periods when my Piriformis muscle was so painful I could not stand still for more than 2 minutes.

J came to our Clinic a couple of months ago, first time on meeting it was clear this was a lady who was so stressed, because she was in great pain, and felt that she had never been listened too about her injury, she needed help so Steve was determined to get to the root of the problem and sort it out.

“I started to get a sore hip about 23 years ago, it’s on set coincided with starting to drive. It hurt on and off for about 16 years, it was inconvenient at times, but not too bad. Then just over 7 years ago my whole lower back and hamstrings became very tight and sore pretty much all the time.

There were periods when my Piriformis muscle was so painful I could not stand still for more than 2 minutes.

Sometimes when my whole lower back would lock up so it would take about 5 minutes to bend myself into a chair and to straighten out again when I wanted to get up. The flare up’s were awful, my back used to take about 3 months to calm down.

Sometimes when my whole lower back would lock up so it would take about 5 minutes to bend myself into a chair and to straighten out again when I wanted to get up. The flare up’s were awful, my back used to take about 3 months to calm down. When it was really bad, I certainly couldn’t do everyday things like bend down to look in a draw or pick something off the floor. The worse thing was I never knew what was going to set it off, I got so paranoid at trying to prevent a flare up I kept diaries to try and second guess what might aggravate it. I took a cushion everywhere with me as hard chairs were a big no no. It was a really miserable existence.

When it was really bad, I certainly couldn’t do everyday things like bend down to look in a draw or pick something off the floor. The worse thing was I never knew what was going to set it off, I got so paranoid at trying to prevent a flare up I kept diaries to try and second guess what might aggravate it. I took a cushion everywhere with me as hard chairs were a big no no. It was a really miserable existence.

When I explained these limitations to my doctor, rather than being concerned that an otherwise very healthy 38 year old, that until recently used to play rugby and run regularly, was unable to bend over due to extreme muscle tightness and lower back pain, she suggested that I stop trying to bend down! That was it, that was all she had to offer. Oh, that and some drugs to dull the pain.

Eventually I left the job I loved so that I could work part time as I thought sitting at a desk all week might have been part of the problem. It didn’t really make much difference.

Over the years I have seen all manner of back people, chiropractors, physios, osteopaths, sports masseurs, occupational health specialists, you name it, I just wish they were on performance related pay because none of them managed to make much of a difference and I have spent a fortune. It wasn’t just the odd appointment either, I saw one guy regularly at the Spire hospital for over a year.

I think it would be fair to say most of them just wanted to know which bit hurt at the time and they would then work on that area. No one seemed interested in the underlying problem i.e. the cause of my tight leg and back muscles that I knew was causing all the problems.

I asked many times, believe me, I just never got an answer.

Then during the summer holidays this year, after struggling to walk the half mile to the local park with my sons so they could practice a bit of rugby, I decided enough was enough.

At the time it was my Piriformis muscle that was really bad so I Googled ‘Piriformis/Norfolk’ (as not all specialists even believe in Piriformis syndrome, let alone know what to do with it) and Steve’s details were top of the search list. Piriformis Syndrome

Steve agreed to fit me in that night at his home clinic. Rather than doing the usual massage on the area that I was used to from other physios, he put my feet in a bucket of water and then connected me to the mains. To be honest I thought at best he was a bit eccentric and at worst he was going to kill me. I was actually quite disheartened. After reading his web site earlier, I had felt more positive about seeing Steve than I had most of the other specialists I had seen over the years. It was that old cliché of ‘could he be the one?’

I asked many times, believe me, I just never got an answer. Then during the summer holidays this year, after struggling to walk the half mile to the local park with my sons so they could practice a bit of rugby, I decided enough was enough. At the time it was my Piriformis muscle that was really bad so I Googled ‘Piriformis/cure/Norfolk’ (as not all specialists even believe in Piriformis syndrome, let alone know what to do with it) and Steve’s details were top of the search list. Piriformis Syndrome

I was clinging on for Hope.

After the appointment, I didn’t feel much better and was feeling really down, but the next morning I woke up and I just knew something was different. Not just better, but different. I have been seeing Steve for about two months now and for the first time in 23 years I feel nearly normal and I know he is going to make me pain free. When Steve first started treating me he promised he would make me pain free and although that promised cheered me up no end, I didn’t really believe him. Not deep down.

Steve’s view is that if a back hurts, there is a problem that needs fixing. Find the source of the problem and fix it – for good.

So many so called professionals have told me to expect to have back pain, that everyone has back pain, that it’s normal. To get on with it, to accept it, to live with it, accommodate it.

And the really sad thing is, I was actually starting to listen to them! I gave up a job I loved and was bracing myself for an old age blighted by a back that was surely only going to get worse.

Well now I feel fantastic. I have got a new job – full time again – I feel like I did when I was 20. I feel so ‘normal’ I still can’t believe it. It’s been so long I can hardly remember what normal is.

Every time I bend down to get something out of a cupboard, I notice that I don’t hurt or have to do the task by kneeling on the floor. Every morning when I first get out of bed and don’t have to walk to the bathroom semi bent because I can’t straighten up for a while, I notice it. I think I will be noticing it for a long time.

Steve is amazing. He uses his ‘fizzy’ machine to sort you out. It really works miracles. And it feels fab, bit like a spa session!

Sciatica or Piriformis Syndrome, in Norwich and Norfolk ?

Sciatica

Sciatic Pain or Piriformis Syndrome can present similar symptoms, but which is it. ?

Recently many people have come to our clinic , presenting  with what they thought to be

The Dreaded Sciatica!  believing it is something they are going to have to live with. So what is it, how do we know we have it, how does it affect us and most of all how do we get rid of it ? Because believe me when I say” If you have ever had Sciatica you want to get rid of it.”

What is Sciatica ?

Although Sciatica is a relatively common form of Low Back Pain and Leg Pain, the true meaning of the term is often misunderstood. Sciatica is a set of symptoms rather than a diagnosis for what is irritating the root of the nerve, causing the pain. This point is important, because treatment for sciatica or sciatic symptoms often differs, depending upon the underlying cause of the symptoms and pain levels. One thing is for sure Sciatic pain is produced when you have pain along the sciatic nerve. 

What causes it Sciatica ?

is usually caused by a  spinal disc herniation  (rupture) of the inner part of the disc that surrounds the outer disc .of by compression of the Lumber Nerves L3,L4,or L5 causing pain in the lumbar region (Lower back), compression of the sciatic nerve itself or the Sacral Nerves  S1,S2 or S3, thus hitting the sciatic nerve and radiating to the buttocks and to the back of the thigh.

How do you know what is causing it ?

Unfortunately you don’t you just feel the pain, your Doctor or therapist will be able to explain more, but sometimes only a scan will tell you what is really going on, but here are a few causes. When sciatica is caused by compression of a dorsal nerve root(radix) it is considered a lumbar radiculopathy(or radiculitis when accompanied with an inflammatory response). This can occur as a result of a spinal disk bulge or spinal disc herniation (a herniated intervertebral disc), or from roughening, enlarging, or misalignment (Spondylolisthesis) of the Vertebrae , or as a result of  degenerated discs that can reduce the diameter of the lateral foramen through which nerve roots exit the spine. We do know that Sciatica due to compression of a nerve root is one of the most common forms of  radiculopathy  and is often postural caused by an anterior pelvic tilt.

How do you know what is causing it ? Unfortunately you don’t you just feel the pain, your Doctor or therapist will be able to explain more, but sometimes only a scan will tell you what is really going on, but here are a few causes. When sciatica is caused by compression of a dorsal nerve root(radix) it is considered a lumbar radiculopathy(or radiculitis when accompanied with an inflammatory response). This can occur as a result of a spinal disk bulge or spinal disc herniation (a herniated intervertebral disc), or from roughening, enlarging, or misalignment (Spondylolisthesis) of the Vertebrae , or as a result of degenerated discs that can reduce the diameter of the lateral foramen through which nerve roots exit the spine. We do know that Sciatica due to compression of a nerve root is one of the most common forms of radiculopathy and is often postural caused by an anterior pelvic tilt.

Pseudo Sciatica or non-discogenic Sciatica ?

Also causes symptoms similar to spinal nerve root compression, is most often referred pain due to damage to facet joints in the lower back and is felt as pain in the lower back and posterior thighs. Pseudo sciatic pain can also be caused by compression of peripheral sections of the nerve, usually from soft tissue tension in the piriformis or related muscles

Piriformis Syndrome.

Also causes a sciatic issue. People have come to us with Piriformis Syndrome , as it also a cause of sciatic pain is the muscle tightens thinking they have Sciatica and leaving it just taking pain killers when if they would have come sooner we could have treated it very quickly as Piriformis Syndrome is caused when someone has been sitting for a long period of time, through working at a desk, not stretching, driving for long periods of time. The sciatic nerve runs close to the Piriformis muscles and muscle irritation and tight muscles create pain. Also hip external rotation can create this condition e.g. driving a manual vehicle . The Piriformis is a a muscle in the gluteal area. Known also as a lateral rotator, working along with five other muscles they do a major job to keep you in action.

I thought labour had been painful, but the pain I was experiencing with my back was on a par!

Sciatica may also occur during pregnancy.

As a result of the weight of the fetus pressing on the sciatic nerve ladies we know this is painful and we sympathize with you, yes it can cause leg spasms. While most cases do not directly harm the foetus or the mother, indirect harm may come from the numbing effect on the legs which can cause loss of balance and falling.

There is no standard treatment for pregnancy induced sciatica, we can help with gentle massage doing your leg exercises, swimming,

making sure you clench the glutes when you get up and please do that slowly.

If you did need help or advice please give us a call.

Why we can help you to get better quicker.

With a combination of  Neuromuscular Techniques Rehabilitation Massage and The Bioneuro Therapy System Sigma Q (∑Q®)that works deeper that acupuncture allowing us to get to the root cause, help release your Piriformis muscle, ease the Sciatica Symptoms that will result in you being a pain free.