Re: Piriformis Syndrome

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: : In my case the piriformis contracted the sciatic nerve causing numbness and tingling in the calf and the base of the foot together with a loss of use of the foot. Although severe the symptoms somewhat suprisingly did not generate what I would describe as pain, they were however uncomfotable. Initial diagnosis was that external pressure in the sensoredocks area had caused a slipped disc. Subsequent discussion with my yoga teacher raised the possibility of pirformis syndrome. Surgery was unlikely to be an option as there was no pain and I am reluctant to have injections. Today the problem has gone as the result of a combination of yoga (I am at beginner level)and acupuncture. I used yoga postures (asanas) to gradually stretch and release the sciatic nerve. Acupuncture on a weekly/fortnightly basis has assisted this process. Key asanas from the Iynegar school of Hatha yoga are those aimed at opening the hips, the asanas that have this objective also help stretch and lengthen the pirformis muscle (or perhaps sciatic nerve itself) thereby releasing the pressure. Initially the stretching can be difficult and painful but as I felt I was hitting the spot I breathed deeper into the asana and was able to gain relief. Iyengar's classic yoga text (Light on Yoga) has many asanas..I used his beginners book that introduces yoga with props. The programme I developed was to initially lie back over a bolster (lengthwise) in Supta Badda Konasana using a belt to hold down the inner thighs. This relaxing asana was used several times a day sometimes for as long as half an hour to an hour to ease the pressure. As the muscle released I moved to include other asanas, particularly the preparation for the pigeon pose most helpful but needs to be approached gingerly. There are many other asanas that act on the sciatic nerve/piriformis muscle from different angles and I reccomend experimentation to get the asanas that help. Patience is required this process takes time and daily practice (several times a day is ideal), acupuncture is very beneficial (may not appear to immediately). Over a month or two it has been possible to eliminate the problem wihtout drugs or frequent physio visits.


Posted By grala on April 10, 2004 at 21:03:13:

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