Piriformis Syndrome Explained: Causes, Symptoms & 4 Exercises That May Help @PortaPT

Do you have deep buttock pain that sometimes travels down your leg? You may have heard the term “sciatica,” but not all sciatic-type symptoms come from the lower back. In this video, we explain piriformis syndrome, including what the piriformis muscle does, its relationship to the sciatic nerve, common symptoms, potential contributing factors, and five exercises that may help. You’ll also learn about everyday factors that can aggravate symptoms, including: • Prolonged sitting • Long periods of driving • A thick wallet in your back pocket • Direct trauma to the buttock • Repetitive activities such as running or cycling • Sudden increases in exercise • Hip muscle overuse or altered movement mechanics Exercises demonstrated: 1. Seated piriformis stretch 2. Gentle hip mobility 3. Glute bridges 4. Side-lying hip abduction Important: Buttock pain or pain traveling down the leg can have many possible causes, including problems involving the lumbar spine, hip, or other structures. The information in this video is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for an individual medical evaluation. If you experience significant or progressive weakness, new bowel or bladder problems, saddle-area numbness, severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, or symptoms following significant trauma, seek appropriate medical evaluation. If you found this video helpful, please like, share, and subscribe to Porta PT for practical physical therapy education you can use at home. Porta PT — Bringing Physical Therapy to You. #PiriformisSyndrome #Sciatica #PhysicalTherapy #HipPain #ButtockPain #PTExercises #PortaPT