Bandar Seri Begawan   673-8698726
Miniphysio Co
  • Home
  • About
    • Who We Help
    • Success Stories
    • Our Staff
  • Physiotherapy
    • Back Pain
    • Knee Pain
    • Neck Pain
    • Shoulder Pain
    • Hip Pain
    • Running Injuries
    • Online Physio
  • Blog
  • Contact
    • Contact Information
    • Ask About Availability & Cost
    • Request A Free Discovery Visit
    • Talk To A PT On The Phone
  • We're Hiring!
  • Home
  • About
    • Who We Help
    • Success Stories
    • Our Staff
  • Physiotherapy
    • Back Pain
    • Knee Pain
    • Neck Pain
    • Shoulder Pain
    • Hip Pain
    • Running Injuries
    • Online Physio
  • Blog
  • Contact
    • Contact Information
    • Ask About Availability & Cost
    • Request A Free Discovery Visit
    • Talk To A PT On The Phone
  • We're Hiring!

How to distinguish between Sciatica and Piriformis syndrome?

6/5/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Are you someone presenting with back pain that never seem to go away? Maybe you have been to a few different therapists, tried various medications prescribed, yet the niggling feeling on your back just never seem to go away, which often feel like it’s tight, sometimes achy. [...]

Just the other day, one of our back pain client was asking us as to, "What the differences were between Sciatica and Piriformis syndrome?" This particular client, felt radiating pain down to the bottom of her left foot for about three months before she met us - she was suspecting what she’s experiencing could be either one of them. 
Now, before I go any further, I will list out few key points as to why Sciatica and Piriformis syndrome can always be mistaken for one another.

1. They present radiating (spreading/ distributed) pain.
Picture
​And this radiating pain typically accompanied with pins & needles or numbness or weakness. On certain cases (regardless it’s severity), one may even feel all of these symptom, all at once. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes it can also present itself as localizing (on a spot) as compared to radiating, which made it a bit tricky to figure out which is which. 
2. Both have something to do with the Sciatic nerve being extra sensitive. ​
Now.. because the nerve can get extra sensitive, it can tense itself up. And this is nothing unusual as it’s a normal body response – to overprotect when they feel vulnerable. Which is why sometimes you feel “tight” at the back of your thigh, thinking it’s your hamstring that’s tight, when in actual fact, it was your Sciatic nerve that’s not happy.
Picture
3. Same areas that may potentially get affected.
Picture
Like what mentioned in the previous point, since the Sciatic nerve is involved, chance is that the path where Sciatic nerve innervate will be affected as well. Now, if you do not know where the sciatic nerve is. It’s probably the most common nerve that you heard of before... Sciatic nerve is also the largest nerve in the body. Innervating at the back of your thigh. 

So far, does all the above pointers sound familiar to you? If yes, this is what’s going to make the difference for you to at least get closer to the answer you’re looking for.  
​

Picture
1. The only difference is the exact source where it’s from.
​Sciatica is from nerve root L4/L5/S1, piriformis is from the small muscles that’s deep underneath the glute max (our big buttocks). When it gets tight, it can cause the nerve to become sensitive.

 In fact, Piriformis syndrome is sometimes known as the pseudo-sciatica. Pseudo as in fake.
​
2. 
Piriformis syndrome – triggers symptoms on one side of the lower limb. Sciatica can potentially trigger symptoms on both side as the true source is actually coming centrally.
​

Due to the location of their source, there’s high potential if the spine (which is the central) is not happy, it can start producing symptoms on both ends. Whereas there is chance that piriformis can also cause symptoms on both ends, it will be two separate piriformis that got triggered (often at two different times).

Last but not least, although these two may have different name. The approach will not vary much. Strategy is the same.
 
So what should you do? 
I always love to tell my client this – aim to centralize the pain. I rather have the pain centralized at your back feeling it at a higher intensity of pain, as compared to small sensation on the toes or down the legs. Your chance of recovery gets better when you can send the pain back up, regardless the intensity.
 
But beware, as the pain goes up, and become more localized close to the source of pain, it can get intense (for some). It’s something to be expected. It’s good news, don’t panic.

If you have this problem and find your back pain difficult to solve, or still couldn’t find out if it’s sciatica or piriformis syndrome difficult, leave it to the professionals with proper guidance from expert. Click on the button below and talk to one of our team members today!
​

Talk To A PT on The Phone
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Fu Ton

    Physiotherapist sharing with you the general knowledge on common injuries you're facing and how to free yourself off it.

    Archives

    May 2020
    June 2019
    May 2019

    Categories

    All
    Back Pain
    Covid19
    Exercise
    Female
    Immune System
    Leaking
    Low Back Pain
    Muscles
    Myths
    Pain
    Pelvic Muscles
    Physical Activity
    Physical Therapy
    Piriformis Syndrome
    Recovery
    Spine
    Stress Management
    Urinary Incontinence
    Women Series

    RSS Feed


​CONTACT INFO

Address:
No.6, Spg 1084, Kg Salambigar, Jalan Muara, Brunei Darussalam

Phone Number:
​673-8698726

Email:
miniphysioco.bn@gmail.com

Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
9am - 9pm

Saturday - Sunday
9am - 6pm


Privacy Policy (Click Here)

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER:
All information on this website  is intended for instruction and informational purposes only. The authors are not responsible for any harm or injury that may result. Significant injury risk is possible if you do not follow due diligence and seek suitable professional advice about your injury. No guarantees of specific results are expressly made or implied on this website. 
 Created by PT Website Secrets