Using table support to stretch piriformis; sciatica solution |Kit Laughlin from Stretch Therapy
Channel: Kit Laughlin
Date: 29/11/2011

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The muscle named "piriformis" can be a major cause of sciatica—in fact modern chiropractic research suggests that piriformis syndrome accounts for up to 60% of all sciatica. Look up "piriformis syndrome": it is extremely common and can be utterly debilitating (Kit had this for more than six months at one point, and could not travel for more than 20' by car without having to get out and move around). Prolonged sitting is very often involved in this problem.

What many people do not know is that piriformis syndrome, if severe, can mimic all the symptoms of intervertebral disc impingement, including all the 'neurological deficits' (numbness around the buttocks, thighs, outer calf muscles; tingling and loss of feeling in the toes; and even loss of dorsiflexion, usually regarded as a very serious symptom). 

Prudence and risk minimisation suggests that stretching piriformis is a sensible course of action before starting to look for other causes.  

*Please note that all Stretch Therapy "stretching" techniques are also strengthening techniques, too, because we use isometric contractions as part of the process. The contractions strengthen the muscle in the part of the range of movement they are applied in, and if excessive tension is the cause of the pain you are experiencing, the same contractions result in a relaxation of the muscle.*

This exercise demonstrated here is one of the strongest you can try, and one of the most novel in terms of daily life movements. As well, it strongly affects the substantial fascia of the whole hip, including gluteus maximus. The advantage of this version is that you do not need a partner—all you need is something solid to hand on to.