Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is also a good treatment for Piriformis Syndrome. Since the problems are caused by muscular problems, the treating physiotherapist has a number of therapeutic approaches to address the problem. These include, for example, relaxing the muscles by massaging or stimulating so-called trigger points.
Specially trained physiotherapists can also try to positively influence the piriformis muscle by using ultrasound therapy as well as heat, cold and electrotherapy. A further essential point of the therapy is also to find the origin of the problems. These can be, for example, one-sided activities, too much sedentary work or errors in the movement sequence.
By avoiding and correcting these things, the course of the disease can in many cases be influenced positively and later problems can be prevented. A large part of the physiotherapeutic treatment will also consist of the above mentioned and many other exercises to stretch, loosen and strengthen the piriformis muscle. It is important to give the patient a better awareness of his own body and to make him understand how important it is to do the exercises regularly even after the therapy is over.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture, as a traditional Chinese healing method, can also help to alleviate the symptoms of piriformis syndrome.The difference between acupuncture and western medicine is that it is assumed that the body is traversed by life pathways, the so-called meridians, through which the life energy Qi flows. With the help of acupuncture, certain points on the meridians are stimulated to restore the undisturbed flow of the life energy. The treatment is carried out through the smallest pinpricks.
For treatment of problems of the piriformis muscle, an acupuncture point on the meridian of the gall bladder is usually chosen. This meridian runs from the outer angle of the eye to the fourth toe on the foot. The acupuncture point GB30 chosen for therapy is located between the thigh bone and the sacrum and is stimulated with the help of small needles during treatment.
During an acupuncture treatment, the needles usually remain in the body for a few minutes and are then removed by the therapist. Depending on the type and severity of the pain, several sessions may be necessary before success is achieved. Some patients, however, often experience an immediate improvement of the pain.
