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Dr. Ryan Wigness, Dr. Mike Sybrant, Dr. Connor Tobisch & Dr. Annie Kraisinger chiropractic physicians in the Flathead Valley with offices in Whitefish, Columbia Falls and Kalispell. We believe that everyone should have a pain-free, active lifestyle.

Here at Whitefish Chiropractic Center, we specialize in evidence-based, conservative care for weekend warriors, dedicated athletes, and desk workers.

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Hello, everyone! Dr. Connor Tobish here from Whitefish Chiropractic. Today, I want to discuss another factor contributing to sciatic symptoms: piriformis syndrome. The piriformis, a muscle in the gluteal region, sits right above the sciatic nerve. When this muscle tightens excessively, it can irritate the nerve, leading to symptoms such as sharp pain, numbness, and paresthesia.

These symptoms often originate in the gluteal region, but if the piriformis continues to aggravate the nerve, the pain may extend down the leg along the path of the sciatic nerve. Causes can vary—from a one-time trauma, like a fall on the hip, to gradual onset due to poor hip muscle activation and mechanics, often exacerbated by prolonged sitting or standing.

Identifying piriformis syndrome involves checking for palpable hypertonicity and tenderness in the piriformis region. If pressing on that area reproduces your pain, it could indicate piriformis syndrome. Stay tuned for a simple self-test called the FIDEAR test that can help confirm if this is the cause of your symptoms.

In the next segment, I'll guide you through the FIDEAR test, which requires a friend to assist. This test focuses on flexion, adduction, and internal rotation of the affected leg, aiming to put tension on the piriformis. A positive result is if the test reproduces the pain associated with piriformis syndrome.

Now, for those dealing with piriformis syndrome, I'll demonstrate a supine piriformis stretch as the first exercise. Find a comfortable surface to lie on, hook the affected leg over the opposite knee, and pull the opposite thigh towards your chest. Hold the stretch for 15-20 seconds, take a break, and repeat. This stretch targets the piriformis directly.

After easing tension in the piriformis, it's crucial to enhance the sciatic nerve's mobility. I'll introduce a sciatic nerve floss exercise. While lying down, bring the affected leg up, grab behind your thigh or knee, and gently lift until you feel tension. Look up to relieve tension, then bring the leg back down, tucking your chin. Repeat this movement for 10-12 reps, promoting better nerve mobility.

By incorporating these exercises, you can start addressing piriformis syndrome at home. Stay tuned for more insights and guidance on managing and relieving your symptoms.