Athletes who have been struggling with piriformis syndrome know how frustrating it is to deal with this condition. It can keep a person from running, biking, rowing, and other activities that are important to them. But those who suffer from piriformis syndrome may be able to find relief with the Graston Technique®, a therapy that was developed in the 1990s but has been receiving greater attention in recent years.
What Is Piriformis Syndrome?
As described by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (part of the federal National Institutes of Health), piriformis syndrome occurs when the piriformis muscle compresses or irritates the sciatic nerve, causing pain, weakness, or numbness in one side of the buttocks and down the leg. The piriformis muscle lies on each side of the pelvic area, deep within the buttock, and it assists with hip rotation. But when the muscle tightens or goes into spasm, it can compress the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body that extends from the lower back and down the leg. The condition can be hard to diagnose, and is sometimes mistaken for sciatica, which causes similar symptoms but originates when there is nerve root compression in the spinal area of the lower back.
What is the Graston Technique?
According to the creators of the Graston Technique, the therapy relies on a set of six stainless steel, patented handheld instruments to treat soft-tissue injuries. The instruments are designed to break up scar tissue and loosen muscle fibers that have adhered to each other, which tends to limit the range of motion of the muscle. Chiropractors, physical therapists, and athletic trainers who have been trained in the use of the Graston Technique choose the instrument they use for each patient based on the part of the body they are treating. The shape and weight of each instrument are designed to effectively treat various muscles and connective tissue. The therapist will apply a gel onto the skin over the problem area, and then will slide the instrument back and forth, applying gentle pressure, to break up scar tissue in the muscle. It takes several sessions, sometimes combined with other physical therapy, such as stretching, before improvements will be noticed.
Graston Technique for Treatment of Piriformis Syndrome
The instrument the therapist uses to treat piriformis syndrome looks similar to a bottle opener. Because the piriformis muscle is so deep, this narrow instrument allows the therapist to "feel" the muscle and its adhesions and scar tissue more easily than if he or she were to just massage the area with their hands. Several sessions of this therapy, in addition to stretches that target the piriformis muscle and physical therapy that focuses on strengthening and improving motion of the hip and legs, can provide great improvements in the pain and discomfort associated with piriformis syndrome.
Even after the therapy sessions have ended, patients should continue the stretching exercises on a regular basis to help keep the piriformis muscle flexible, as well as follow any other instructions given to them by their therapist or chiropractor. Anyone who believes they have piriformis syndrome should talk to their doctor first to get a correct diagnosis and to rule out other possible causes of the pain and discomfort. If the problem is found to be piriformis syndrome, patients can get more information about the Graston Technique and locate a trained provider at the Graston Technique website. Hopefully, over time, patients will be able to return to the athletic activities they enjoy.
Scott Anderson - Scott Anderson works in the emergency management/homeland security field, but also has an interest and a background in writing and ...
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