Cycling with Pirformis Syndrome, Sciatta, or back problems...
#1
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Cycling with Pirformis Syndrome, Sciatta, or back problems...
I did not really see any section of the forum with this info inside. Does anyone have leg/backside/back nerve pain while cycling? i developed this within the last year or so and its been not so fun. last year i think i got the piriformis by lifting heavy luggage down the stairs but this was exacerbated by lifting my bike up and down 5 flights of stairs everyday for 1 month plus riding 10 to 20 miles a day every single day.
Anyone have similar problem? how did you deal with it? i had to stop riding for a few months to let the symptoms clear but now it comes back a bit when i put in a long ride.
Anyone have similar problem? how did you deal with it? i had to stop riding for a few months to let the symptoms clear but now it comes back a bit when i put in a long ride.
Last edited by TravelBiker; 02-20-21 at 03:28 AM. Reason: Added details
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You did not say how you arrived at your diagnosis or your age. A while back, I thought that I had pirformis syndrome, but it was a self diagnosis so I kept on trying to work it by lying on a baseball. Eventually, I figured out that I had a muscle imbalance and have been working on strengthening my glutes with weights. A warning should be placed on the many you tube videos of glute strengthening without weight(s). Results end up being disappointing. I do not know if this helps???
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#3
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You did not say how you arrived at your diagnosis or your age. A while back, I thought that I had pirformis syndrome, but it was a self diagnosis so I kept on trying to work it by lying on a baseball. Eventually, I figured out that I had a muscle imbalance and have been working on strengthening my glutes with weights. A warning should be placed on the many you tube videos of glute strengthening without weight(s). Results end up being disappointing. I do not know if this helps???
#4
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Evidently, about 10% or so of the population has fibers of the sciatic nerve running through the piriformis muscle. As I understand, the muscle arises on the inner face of the sacrum (back of the pelvic girdle) and inserts on the top of the femur. A physical therapist showed me how to stretch it and it seems to work for me.
I lie on my back and elevate one knee so that the thigh makes an angle of a little more that 90° with my trunk, and the foot is flat on the floor, then I put the other ankle on top of that knee. (It is sort of like sitting in the "broken four" posture in a chair.) Then I grab the shin of the first leg, the one with the foot on the floor, and pull it towards my chest a few times. Then do the contralateral side.
Hope this helps.
I lie on my back and elevate one knee so that the thigh makes an angle of a little more that 90° with my trunk, and the foot is flat on the floor, then I put the other ankle on top of that knee. (It is sort of like sitting in the "broken four" posture in a chair.) Then I grab the shin of the first leg, the one with the foot on the floor, and pull it towards my chest a few times. Then do the contralateral side.
Hope this helps.
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Timely discussion for me.
I am recovering from Piriformis Syndrome and have been doing the stretches described. I do 3 sets of 10 twice a day. It is getting better, less pain and aching on my right side now but it is slow going. I got it from work on removing and replacing flooring. Lots of bending and twisting. I read that we should supplement the stretching with strength building in the Pitiformis muscles, otherwise it will come back. Thats where I am now, planning to add stregthening exercises to my daily routine (without overdoing it and making it worse) It is improving but I wish it would improve faster. I can ride my road bike and only get moderate soreness afterwards if I limit to short rides, no intense hill climbing. If you have had Piriformis Syndrome, did cycling aggravate it for you ?
I am recovering from Piriformis Syndrome and have been doing the stretches described. I do 3 sets of 10 twice a day. It is getting better, less pain and aching on my right side now but it is slow going. I got it from work on removing and replacing flooring. Lots of bending and twisting. I read that we should supplement the stretching with strength building in the Pitiformis muscles, otherwise it will come back. Thats where I am now, planning to add stregthening exercises to my daily routine (without overdoing it and making it worse) It is improving but I wish it would improve faster. I can ride my road bike and only get moderate soreness afterwards if I limit to short rides, no intense hill climbing. If you have had Piriformis Syndrome, did cycling aggravate it for you ?
Last edited by frogman; 02-21-21 at 11:15 PM.
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#6
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Timely discussion for me.
I am recovering from Piriformis Syndrome and have been doing the stretches described. I do 3 sets of 10 twice a day. It is getting better, less pain and aching on my right side now but it is slow going. I got it from work on removing and replacing flooring. Lots of bending and twisting. I read that we should supplement the stretching with strength building in the Pitiformis muscles, otherwise it will come back. Thats where I am now, planning to add stregthening exercises to my daily routine (without overdoing it and making it worse) It is improving but I wish it would improve faster. I can ride my road bike and only get moderate soreness afterwards if I limit to short rides, no intense hill climbing. If you have had Piriformis Syndrome, did cycling aggravate it for you ?
I am recovering from Piriformis Syndrome and have been doing the stretches described. I do 3 sets of 10 twice a day. It is getting better, less pain and aching on my right side now but it is slow going. I got it from work on removing and replacing flooring. Lots of bending and twisting. I read that we should supplement the stretching with strength building in the Pitiformis muscles, otherwise it will come back. Thats where I am now, planning to add stregthening exercises to my daily routine (without overdoing it and making it worse) It is improving but I wish it would improve faster. I can ride my road bike and only get moderate soreness afterwards if I limit to short rides, no intense hill climbing. If you have had Piriformis Syndrome, did cycling aggravate it for you ?
Last edited by TravelBiker; 02-22-21 at 12:19 AM.
#7
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You did not say how you arrived at your diagnosis or your age. A while back, I thought that I had pirformis syndrome, but it was a self diagnosis so I kept on trying to work it by lying on a baseball. Eventually, I figured out that I had a muscle imbalance and have been working on strengthening my glutes with weights. A warning should be placed on the many you tube videos of glute strengthening without weight(s). Results end up being disappointing. I do not know if this helps???
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There are a number of stretches that have really helped me with my piriformis issues. If you google "piriformis stretches" or "stretching for cyclists" you'll find most of the ones I do regularly. The "Figure 4" seems to help the most.
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I have been dealing with this a bit lately. Mine seemed to kick in after several weeks of my going for some really tough(for me at least) climbing, 4-5 times a week. It's actually fine while I'm riding, walking, moving. Usually "presents" in the morning when I wake up. Mine seems to be originating in the piraformis area, and pain is referring down my leg--outside. It's very intermittent, comes and goes. I've been getting great results after seeing a myofascial release therapist. He really got things opened up and released. Now doing self-myofascial release exercises he gave me with yoga therapy balls, stretching, and foam rolling and I'm back to riding, and it seems to be almost totally resolved.