Sciatica - Is it Piriformis Syndrome or a Herniated Disc? - Ask Doctor Jo

It’s important to know which one is causing the sciatica so you can treat it appropriately.

Piriformis syndrome is when the sciatic nerve is compressed by the piriformis muscle. Since the sciatic nerve runs down behind the leg and under the piriformis, if it is tight and pushing on the nerve, it can cause pain, weakness, numbness and tingling. An easy way to test if your piriformis is tight, is to lie on your stomach with your feet bent up to the ceiling. Let them drop down to the side. If one doesn’t go as far and feels tight, it could be piriformis syndrome.

Some piriformis stretches including the figure 4 and the knee to opposite shoulder should help loosen up the muscle and reduce symptoms.

A herniated disc can compress the sciatic nerve at the spine. To test this, you can lie on your stomach and prop up on your elbows. This might cause pain in the low back, and in the beginning, it might reproduce symptoms, causing pain, weakness, numbness and tingling. Though you might feel pain at first, one of the treatments is to hold this position, and the symptoms should start to go away.

Besides prone props, you can do prone press ups, and a cat/dog stretch in quadruped to help relieve the symptoms.

Related Videos:

Piriformis Syndrome Stretches & Exercises:

Herniated Disc Exercises & Stretches:

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Sciatica - Piriformis Syndrome or Herniated Disc? :

DISCLAIMER: This content (the video, description, links, and comments) is not medical advice or a treatment plan and is intended for general education and demonstration purposes only. This content should not be used to self-diagnose or self-treat any health, medical, or physical condition. Don’t use this content to avoid going to your own healthcare professional or to replace the advice they give you. Consult with your healthcare professional before doing anything contained in this content. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Ask Doctor Jo, LLC, its officers, employees, and contractors for any and all losses, injuries, or damages resulting from any and all claims that arise from your use or misuse of this content. Ask Doctor Jo, LLC makes no representations about the accuracy or suitability of this content. Use of this content is at your sole risk.

[AskDoctorJo]

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[GlynTaylor]

That piriformis stretch just instantly stopped the sciatica I've had for 3 days. I thought it was a herniated disc. I love you

[debkearney]

That stretch where you make 4 with the hurting side SAVED MY LIFE 2 years ago. I was suicidal from constant pain from a herniated disc & sciatica (both sides!) for months. Someone sent me a link to one of your videos and I couldn't do most of them, but I managed that one somehow and the relief was almost instant! as tough as it is for me to get on the floor, I do that one when I feel a knot forming and save myself weeks of pain. Thank you so much! Hours of PT and no one showed me that one.

[analarson]

Great tips will be doing these daily. Blessings

[sheryl]

You did a great job. I was able to follow yoor exercises very easily.

[marlashaw]

Omg.. the stretch is awesome.. I am totally going to watch the rest of your videos on this topic

[tomthumb]

Good morning. Thank you for the video and the information. I have been taking your advise and using the exercises.

[drnandhinisdentalcare]

Superb Dr Jo.... You are amazing the stretch helped me relieve pyriform muscle strain.

[christinelopez]

Wow!! Thank you so much!! I’ve been in excruciating pain & your video helped immediately!! God bless!! Thank you, thank you thank you! I will be doing these stretches every day.

[michaelmadrid]

I love this lady, she’s brought me so much pain relief

[alcottdevalte]

I love these piriformis stretches, please keep showing them, super tnx

[fiftyfive]

I have done these stretches for only one week and the pain in my left leg is almost gone. Thank you

[peterwinkler]

Thank you! I've never had Piriformis Syndrome before, and your video helped me figure out the pain. I don't think I have a herniated disc, and I will continue using your stretches.

[sejobl]

Very well explained and demonstrated! Thank you very much indeed.

[debramassaro]

This content is an amazing demonstration to aid in practitioner's examination!

[ashleyzurn]

Your saving me with your video. Even after the first time I feel a difference going to do the stretches a few more times today and see how much better it can feel

[PNW_Sportbike_Life]

I’ve had a ton of back problems; herniated disks, stenosis, sciatic pain on both sides and now I was chatting with a resident at work and he did a quick exam and said it’s most likely piriformis syndrome. It’s really stifled running, which sucks. Feels different than the normal sciatic pain, so I think he’s right. Recently saw my family practitioner and he missed it. He also missed acute diverticulitis, diagnosing it as a hernia. I nearly ended up with a colostomy on that occasion! Great content Dr. Jo!!

[sandy]

After a week on painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs I saw a nurse who said she thought it was a trapped sciatica nerve.
Long story short, I found the above video of Dr Jo’s and quickly established that I was suffering from a herniated disc; the pain on trying to push up whilst facing the floor was indescribable! Two hours later I was walking pain free! Today I have done the same exercise and NO pain whatsoever. Now I just have cramp in the leg and some pain in the hip, so clearly I need to keep doing the exercise routine for the next couple of weeks etc. Thank you so much Dr Jo for your assistance -I’m not even on painkillers today!

[stephanielakin]

Thank you for these videos! I have SI pain from psoriatic arthritis, and your videos help so much. My big problem is that when I lay on the floor to do the exercises, my dogs won't leave me alone and are smothering me with kisses. Princess is so well behaved!

[EddyJames]

Very smart and informative. thank you so much for this video, out of about 100 that I viewed, this one nailed the info I need to take care of my problem. I am now one of your biggest fans :)