Tag: Buttock Pain

Bursitis or Gluteal Tendinopathy?

Do you have pain on the side of your hip that might extend into the buttock and/or the upper thigh?  It is common for pain on the side of your hip to be diagnosed as bursitis.  New evidence suggests bursitis is rare and if it occurs it is due to another underlying dysfunction, like gluteal tendinopathy.   Gluteal tendinopathy is the irritation of one or more of the tendons that attach the buttock muscles to your hip.    

Symptoms may start without any known reason.  You may notice pain when standing with your weight on the affected leg, walking, and climbing stairs.  Symptoms may be present at night especially lying on the affected side.  The primary trigger for gluteal tendinopathy is compression or excessive tension of the tendon.  This can occur with running, hill climbing, repetitive movements, gluteus medius weakness, and obesity.  Repeated irritation of the gluteal tendons cause an altered healing of the tendon fibers and can lead to pain and dysfunction.  

Gluteal tendinopathy can be treated with soft tissue work to help with tendon healing and targeted exercises to strengthen the gluteus medius.  Avoiding aggravating postures such as standing with your weight shifted on one leg, sitting or standing with legs crossed, and sleeping on your side can also help.  Cycling or water exercises are low stress options while the tendons are healing.   

Sean Flynn, DC
Sioux City, IA Chiropractor

Piriformis Syndrome

The piriformis is a muscle in the buttocks which rotates the leg outwards.   The sciatic nerve usually runs under the piriformis.  However as much of ¼ of the population’s sciatic nerves run through the piriformis muscle.  These people are more likely to have piriformis syndrome.  Tightness or spasms in this muscle can compress the sciatic nerve causing sciatica. 

Symptoms of pain, numbness, or tingling can come on suddenly or gradually over time.  Causes could include a fall on the buttocks, sitting on the edge of a hard surface, walking long distances, or a new exercise routine.  Sometimes the cause is unknown.

Symptoms start in the buttocks and can radiate down the leg and into the foot.  Walking, running, climbing stairs, and sitting or standing for longer than 15 minutes may increase symptoms. 

Ice, stretching, soft tissue release, and chiropractic can help relieve sciatica caused by piriformis syndrome.