I've been suffering with hamstring pain for the last 6 months and have spent a bomb on 'rehabilitating it' thinking it was a pull, only to find out that it was my sciatic nerve which has been impinged underneath the piriformis (your bum muscle). I've now been told by the osteopath that I need new orthotics (my present ones are 4 years old). Does anyone have this problem and can you say that orthotics has solved it? I'm asking before I shell out on another £250!
0 ·
Comments
In short, it's worth trying the other things first if you haven't already, before spending more on orthotics.
I also found because the roads I run on were cambered, and I always ran facing the oncoming traffic (not that there is much!) I was putting additional strain on my right side. By alternating the side of the road I ran on, this improved a lot.
The best stretch I have found is - from a standing position, put your right ankle just above your left knee, then slowly drop down into a sitting position. You will feel the stretch - hold it for 5-10 secs then repeat on the other side. I quite often stop after a couple of miles and do these stretches.
Hope it helps
RD
Jayne
Also "suffer" and manage it as best I can by stretching - orthotics have never been suggested to me and not sure they'd help piriformis as it's often where the muscle and nerve travel through the pelvis or some other bony bit (!) so not a bio mechanical issue rather than simple bad luck with your anatomy!!
Good luck
Amanda
Well unfortunately I am an overpronater and it's particularly bad on my left foot which is the same side as my piriformis problem. The osteopath said that because the piriformis acts as an external rotater of the hip it is then fighting against the 'internal rotation' of the ankle/foot and that may be where the recurrent problem lies. Have you ever had your feet checked out for this?
I have had a gait anaylsis and this didn't reveal any bio mechanical issues - or at least not enough to warrant orthotics. The physio simply thinks I am in the situation whereby there is not enough room for the muscle and nerve and hence the latter gets pinched. My symptoms are a numb yet tight and sore left leg which I just have to get through as it invariably lasts about a mile or so....it sounds as if you have had sound advice from your osteopath although I have heard too many horror stories about orthotics and know too many runners who threw theirs in the bin to give much of a positive view!!
Good luck...bloody running and bloody injuries - a right royal pain in the ass - literally in our case ;-)
RogerDodge....what you wrote rung a bell in my tortured mind...I also run alot on the roads facing oncoming traffic and have obviously strained my right side.
I saw a sports injury massage therapist yesterday and had a deep muscle massage. She found the problem and I felt 10 times better post massage. The discomfort has reduced dramatically and I have another session booked for Thursday. I am taking some time off running ( which is torture as I am in the middle of a training schedule ) to try and make it better.
I am so frustrated as I have never had a prob before and have been running for years !
Has anybody else tried massage ? I haven't thought about orthotics. I am hoping that this niggling sensation will bugger off for ever !!!!!
Try this link for some stretches
That is an excellent link. I just did some of those stretches and it felt good.
Did you have to take any time off running and if so for how long ?
If your back's out that can affect it too you know.
Oh I feel so frustrated at the moment as I was doing PBs 6wks after having my baby 6 months ago.
I do suffer from a kind of "knotting" at the top of my shin muscle (anterior tibialis) High (10m+) mileage usually leaves it a bit tender. I was told ultrasound would help disperse it. I think I tore the ligament a bit when "going over" on my foot during the madness at the start of a race.
What is the tennis ball / golf ball therapy ?
ej I am up there in the frustarion mode with you !
What you so is lie on a ball positioning it where the pain is and then place a big stick between your teeth and bite on it HARD! It does the same thing as what a masseur or any professional will do but cheaper and the pain's always better self inflicted.
piriformissyndrome
I have just had my second session of massage and it certainly does help. I just got back 30 mins ago and the difference in how my muscles feel is amazing. I don't have that dull ache that I had when I got out of bed thios morning.
Have also been doing the stretches that RogerDodge has posted on this topic ( see above )and am seeing an improvement...slowly but surely.
Patricia, yours doesn't sound like pirifomis syndrome but what does your physio think ?
Helen, try the self diagnosis in the link that I have posted. When I did it, I felt a pain in my buttock etc.
The main thing though is that if you have any pain DON'T RUN as you will exacerbate the problem. Listen to your body...something is wrong and your body is telling you enough is enough.
I have found the massage sessions to be very beneficial and have even felt my muscles 'ping' back into place whilst being massaged. I suggest finding a good sports massage therapist...but they don't come cheap.
RD
It is so frustrating not running I know ( am climbing the walls myself with my blasted injury ) but better to rest and heal the injury than risk permanent damage and the risk of not being able to run at all.
There is also the possibilty of it being referred pain and the cause is elsewhere.....that is why I would recommend a decent sports injury masseur. They get right in there and can release trapped nerves, contracted muscles etc.
I discovered that the pain in my buttock and leg is due to a lower back muscle which has tensed and contracted is the root of the problem. Since I have had my massages the pain is infinately better.
The pain in my buttock flared up 7 days ago and I hoped against hope that I would be able to run through it.....but all the advice that I received said to the contrary.
It's a bummer for sure and I totally understand your frustration as I am there with you....but abstinence from running seems to be the major key to recovery.
It sucks ):
In my case, it was a tight Piriformis muscle which became painful in the latter stages of a run and afterwards. I would say that the pain was of a "niggle" level and certainly not excrutiating. I found that with gentle running and frequent stops to stretch, this improved a lot and is now completely gone. What I am saying is that gentle running will help work and elongate that muscle. In my case I was new to running and as my distance and time on legs increased so did the niggles. If the pain is as a result of an injury, then rest is always advisable, but I never stay too immobile.
As runningnut says, it is always worth seeking expert advice, if you can find a GP who runs, that is perfect. Whenever I've been to my GP with a running related issue, he has just said "well stop running". As a computer consultant, I dont think my customers would be too excited with the advice "well just turn the PC off!"
Good luck with it..
RD
The worst pain for me is when I am driving the car. It can be quite painful after half an hour and I have a 1 hour drive to work every day. If I lean over forwards and to the left in the drivers seat I get quite a sharp pain at the join of my buttock/ hamstring.
I am easing back into my runs very gently as I don't want to get injured again.
This time last week the pain was so bad I was convinced that I would never run again.
I read somewhere that cycling can actually make it worse because you are putting pressure on your buttock and aggravating the injury.
My heart goes out to you as it sucks not being able to run. I am keeping everything crossed that the pain will stay away and never return again !
Good luck fellow piriformite.