Piriformis stretches


Buttock pain, Low back pain, Piriformis syndrome, Restless leg syndrome (RLS), Sciatic pain, Stretches, Stretching (Active Isolated method)

The piriformis stretch is for piriformis syndrome, sciatica, low back pain, deep buttock pain, sacroiliac joint pain and restless leg syndrome. 1) This Active Isolated Stretch (AIS) is absolutely the most effective: Stretch the gluteus maximus first by lying on your back and bringing your right knee to your left shoulder. To do this you […]

November 4, 2009

Knee pain: Understanding the hamstring muscles


Back surgery, Knee pain, Muscle information, Piriformis syndrome, Repetitive strain, Restless leg syndrome (RLS), Sciatic pain, Scoliosis, Structural asymmetry

Knowledge is power. The better you understand the muscles of your knee the more empowered you will be to keep them out of pain. The last post discussed the quadriceps in the front of the thigh. The “hamstrings” are in the back of the thigh. Guys refer to them affectionately as “hammies” at the gym. […]

June 28, 2009

Sciatica, piriformis syndrome, restless leg: The best 5 stretches


Back pain, Buttock pain, Chronic pain, Hip pain, Leg pain, Low back pain, Sciatic pain, Stretching (Active Isolated method)

For anyone with piriformis syndrome, restless leg syndrome, low back pain, hip pain, buttock pain, sciatica pain, thigh pain and back leg pain, these 5 specific stretches will help. If you feel discomfort or pain when you stretch, that’s the place that needs it. You won’t harm yourself even if it hurts if you stretch […]

June 21, 2009

Restless leg syndrome: Perpetuating factors


Buttock pain, Chronic pain, Hip pain, Leg pain, Piriformis syndrome, Restless leg syndrome (RLS), Scoliosis, Structural asymmetry, Tips for therapists

According to Travell & Simons in their Trigger Point Manual, “In patients with chronic myofascial pain, attention to perpetuating factors often spells the difference between sucessful and failed therapy.” Perpetuating factors in the case of Krystal S. were an important consideration in reducing the need for continued treatment for restless leg syndrome at my Neuromuscular […]

June 20, 2009

Restless leg syndrome pain: Treatment of Krystal S.


Buttock pain, Chronic pain, Leg pain, Piriformis syndrome, Restless leg syndrome (RLS), Scoliosis, Structural asymmetry

When muscle tension and hyperactivity from Trigger Points are the cause of RLS, Neuromuscular Therapy is very successful in relieving symptoms and sometimes eliminating this disturbing condition. When an initial series of appointments works, but symptoms return, underlying or perpetuating factors need to be discovered. Treatment in the case of Krystal S. in my Neuromuscular […]

June 18, 2009

Restless leg syndrome pain: A Neuromuscular Therapy point of view


Buttock pain, Chronic pain, Leg pain, Muscle information, Neuromuscular therapy, Piriformis syndrome, Restless leg syndrome (RLS), Scoliosis

So how do I think about RLS? What jumps out at me is the “restless” part. The muscles are hyperactive. What can cause that? Well, I’m a Neuromuscular Therapist and when you’re a hammer everything looks like a nail, so I go right to Trigger Points! Trigger points are hyperactive. They are working 24/7. They […]

June 16, 2009

Butt and leg pain from a herniated disc: A Neuromuscular Therapist’s point of view


Buttock pain, Chronic pain, Foot pain, Hip pain, Leg pain, Neuromuscular therapy

As a Neuromuscular Therapist, how do I think about the muscle pain and numbness caused by a herniated disc? Whenever there is a problem in the low back such as a herniated disc, the nerve signals generated by the irritation there can cause symptoms down into the muscles along the nerve pathway that can persist long […]

April 3, 2009

Butt and leg pain from a herniated disc: Treatment of Pablo B.


Buttock pain, Chronic pain, Foot pain, Hip pain, Leg pain, Neuromuscular therapy

The symptoms of butt and leg pain, numbness and burning in the foot and “foot drop” that were caused by muscles in Pablo’s case were treated with Neuromuscular Therapy techniques in my clinic West of Boston. Trigger Points, nerve entrapment (piriformis syndrome), and local muscle inflammation were all addressed.   Treatment included NMT locally in his […]

March 21, 2009