Forums >Running 101>Piriformis Injury? Say it isn't so..
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My husband has the exact pain as you described, he said it reminded him of a toothache. After some research this is what I came up with for his diagnosis: piriformis syndrome. Here's a link to a You Tube Video that has helped him even after just one rep: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFtUgS69rPk&feature=related Hope this helps. Barb
Hey, Denise: What is this? I now feel like I know you! I know!! I've had issues the last couple of days!! Do you feel any tingling in down your foot as well? If the pain/tingling goes all the way down to your foot or close to (like your ankle), it could be sciatica. As I'm sure you know, piriformis is a (relatively) small muscle that runs in your butt. This could get tighten and pinch your sciatic nerve. Us runners use mainly quads, hams, calves and butts. Any of these guys could get tight. And it so happens if this happens with this guy in the butt, it conveniently sits right above sciatic nerve. What I feel is this: Pain from the back of my R Knee up into the butt- deep inside- When I sit down it almost feels as if it's a pinched nerve- that sensation like circulation is cut-off somewhere- which does not go away when I sit down it almost feels a little more intense- and it actually run a little bit down the back of my calf as I feel it sitting here posting this to you To be honest with you, I actually don't qutie think this is it for your case. If you have sciatica, you have this feeling like your whole leg is collapsing (you'll feel like you have a "bad tooth" all along your leg). If the tightness is "only" in your hamstrings, it is probably where the issue is--in your hamstrings. There are usually 2 types of pain; sharp pain and a dull pain. If it's a sharp pain and you can actually pin-point exactly where it is, it's most likely a muscle pull or tear or some other nasty stuff. It doesn't sound like yours is this. If it runs all along your hamstring, it's most likely just a tired muscle(s) (knock on wood!). I'd recommend doing some LIGHT stretching, light massage, and do some icing. Take it easy on running; if you want to keep doing "something", do what doesn't bother the area. If it's your hammy, something like stair master; maybe easy biking, walking,... If just in case you can pin-point the pain, don't stretch till the pain subsides. Ice it and, after about 3 or 4 days, start light massage. I hope your right and perhaps it is just a Hammie pull! If you do feel some tingling down to your ankle/foot, do some light stretching to loosen up piriformis; sit on your butt and (you said right side) pull your right knee GENTLY to your chest. You'll feel a gentle stretch in your butt. Don't overdo it. If you feel a pinch, that's too much. Icing also helps but, a word of caustion; I had a sciatica one time and this is what I did. I iced my butt so much that I actually got frost-bitten! ;o) No joke, so be reasonable! A good news is that you WILL get over it eventually. i know, however, it's a big "pain in a butt" (literally!). But, just because your schedule calls upon; don't try to complete the given number of miles. If in doubt, do less. Good luck!
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