Why does sitting at work or driving for long periods cause buttock pain radiating down the leg?

A hip muscle trapping a nerve, known as "piriformis syndrome", is a neuromuscular disorder. It occurs when the piriformis muscle, located in the buttock near the hip, becomes very tight and compresses the sciatic nerve, causing buttock pain that radiates down the leg.

Causes

It is usually caused by the following risk factors:

- Moving the lower body with poor technique

- Exercising too much

- Sitting for long periods or sitting cross-legged

- Accidents such as slipping and falling

Who is at risk?

    This condition can occur in many groups of people, especially those who sit at work in an office for long periods, which keeps the hips bent and increases the risk of this condition.

    People who have to sit in the same position for long periods, such as office workers, drivers and ticket sellers, as well as people who move their hips too much, such as those who exercise hard and runners, are also at risk of this condition.

Initial treatment

- Avoid activities that may trigger a flare-up of pain.

- Apply a hot compress to the painful area of the buttock and leg for 15–20 minutes.

- Do stretching exercises to reduce muscle tension, as follows:

     1. Lie flat on the floor with both knees bent. This is the starting position.

     2. Lift your left ankle and rest it across your right knee.

     3. Use your hands to pull your right knee towards your chest and hold for 5 seconds. Slowly return your leg to the starting position, then switch to lifting your right ankle in the same way. Repeat 10 times per side per set, for 3 sets.

Prevention

- People who have to sit at work for long periods should change position every hour, for example by going to the toilet or getting a drink of water. Changing your sitting position reduces the risk of this condition.

- Exercise correctly. In particular, people who already have this condition should cut down on exercise that causes buttock pain or that uses the hip muscles heavily. Focusing on stretching is more suitable.

    If the pain and numbness in the buttock or leg do not improve within 2–3 weeks, see a physical therapist promptly for proper diagnosis and treatment.

    Our physical therapy treatment focuses on reducing pain, relaxing the muscles, and exercises that activate the muscles to make them strong and resilient, so that the muscle inflammation does not come back. We use modern equipment, including shockwave therapy to stimulate the body's repair and reduce tension in the piriformis muscle so that it no longer squeezes the nerve, and high-power laser therapy to reduce inflammation of the compressed nerve, which can reduce numbness.

You can contact Rehab Care Clinic for advice on your health problems from our rehabilitation physicians and specialist physical therapists.

For more information, contact "Rehab Care Clinic"

Address: 423 Phetkasem Road, Bang Wa, Phasi Charoen, Bangkok (inside Kanari Sports Center, before Seacon Bang Khae) ? 061-801-2482 Line ID : @rehabcare