Piriformis Syndrome occurs when there is inflammation or irritation to the piriformis muscle or tendons.  The Piriformis is a muscle that attaches from the back of the hip to the sacrum(tailbone).  This muscle helps control hip movements and sits overtop of the sciatic nerve.  When this injury occurs, it can tighten and compress the sciatic nerve leading to sciatic nerve pain as well as limitations to hip movements and pain.  This injury can happen from many different things such as over activity, laboring jobs, sedentary jobs, and sitting on your wallet.

Symptoms of Piriformis Syndrome are pain in the butt and hip, as well as nerve pain in the butt, hamstring, calf, and foot.  This nerve pain can be local or travel.  It causes limitations in movement and can be painful to walk, stand, sit, and occasionally lay down.  Sometimes there can be an imbalance in the pelvis causing uneven pelvis and hips.  If left untreated the pain, limitations, and nerve pain can become worse leading to further injuries.

The best course of action for this issue is to seek professional care.  A professional will be able to evaluate and diagnose the issue helping them build an affective treatment plan for the individual.  This plan should include decreasing the pain and improving mobility, building stability and strength to support the area and to educate the individual on how to take care of the issue themselves.