Sciatica vs. Piriformis Syndrome

​Both cause debilitating pain!

True sciatica happens when a disc is bulging or herniated in your spine and is compressing the sciatic nerve, causing pain/tingling/numbness down into the buttocks, down the leg and sometimes into the foot.  It often affects one side of the body, only. (Mayo Clinic)  Massage can help relax the muscles around the spine that are working overtime to help stabilize the problem, however, it will not eliminate the pain.

Piriformis syndrome is a tight piriformis muscle that is compressing the sciatic nerve causing the same symptoms.  The sciatic nerve can run alongside or through the piriformis muscle, so when the muscle is tight, symptoms appear. (WebMD)
Often pifiromis syndrome symptoms can be helped or even eliminated through massage therapy and yoga/stretching.

I have had countless clients come in with this pain, and a small number of them actually have been diagnosed with sciatica, which is why I always ask if there has been a doctor diagnosis.

If you have a pain in the butt, I can probably help!