Piriformis Syndrome
Piriformis syndrome occurs when the piriformis muscle, located deep in the buttock, compresses or irritates the sciatic nerve. This can cause sharp, burning, or radiating pain through the glutes and down the back of the leg, mimicking sciatica. It's often triggered by prolonged sitting, overuse, or muscular imbalances that lead to tension and inflammation in the area.
At Sparq Physical Therapy in Castle Rock, CO, we combine expert orthopedic care with dry needling to release deep muscle tension, reduce nerve irritation, and restore healthy movement patterns. Our one-on-one approach ensures we treat the root cause—not just the symptoms.
Affected Area
Piriformis syndrome directly impacts the piriformis muscle and nearby sciatic nerve, but it often involves dysfunction in surrounding muscles like the glutes, hip rotators, hamstrings, and low back stabilizers. Compensation patterns can also affect gait and pelvic alignment over time.
Symptoms
Common symptoms include deep buttock pain, tenderness over the piriformis muscle, and pain that radiates down the back of the thigh or into the calf. Symptoms often worsen with sitting, climbing stairs, or transitioning from sitting to standing. You may also experience numbness, tingling, or tightness through the glute and leg.
Treatments
Dry needling is a highly effective tool for releasing deep-seated muscle tension that’s difficult to reach with stretching or massage alone. At Sparq PT, we use dry needling as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that may include:
Targeted dry needling to the piriformis and surrounding gluteal muscles
Manual therapy to improve hip and pelvic alignment
Mobility work for the hips, hamstrings, and low back
Strengthening exercises for the core, glutes, and deep hip rotators
Postural and movement retraining to reduce strain on the sciatic nerve
Education on activity modification and home exercises to prevent recurrence
Many patients experience noticeable relief after just a few sessions, especially when dry needling is used alongside corrective exercise and hands-on therapy.