ACE MediCupping and Piriformis Syndrome

What is Piriformis Syndrome?

Piriformis syndrome is a condition that occurs when the piriformis muscle in the buttocks compresses the sciatic nerve, causing pain, inflammation, and other symptoms. It can happen on one side of your body or both.

The piriformis is a flat, narrow muscle. It runs from your lower spine through your butt to the top of your thighs. Your piriformis muscle extends to each side of your body and aids in almost every movement of your lower body.

The sciatic nerve most commonly runs underneath the piriformis. The nerve travels from your spinal cord, through your buttocks, down the back of each leg, to your feet. It’s the longest, largest nerve in your body.

Piriformis Syndrome Symptoms Include:

• Pain: Pain in the buttocks that may feel like shooting, burning, or aching down the back of the leg 
• Numbness: Numbness in the buttocks 
• Tingling: Tingling sensations along the sciatic nerve 
• Pain when sitting: Pain that may worsen after sitting for a while, climbing stairs, walking, or running 

Piriformis Syndrome Can Be Caused by a Number of Factors, Including:

• Tight muscles from lack of physical activity 
• Improperly lifting something 
• Not warming up or stretching before physical activity 
• Overexercising or repetitive motions 
• Traumatic events, such as a fall or car accident 
• Abnormal anatomy at birth

Piriformis Syndrome Treatment Using ACE MediCupping

People often seek relief from piriformis syndrome and sciatic pain from massage therapists. The traditional approach to massage brings some easing of the condition, but the multi-faceted approach of ACE MediCupping may be a better way to alleviate symptoms.

First, a traditional massage approach to piriformis syndrome and sciatic pain often treats the muscles of the lower back and hip with compression and pin and stretch. Most massage therapists are familiar with using manual pressure, friction, or compression and a deep glide to release trigger points in the quadratus lumborum to reduce symptoms. Application of compression and joint manipulation to stretch and relieve pressure of piriformis on the sciatic nerve. Some therapists compress the belly of the piriformis, but this approach must be done with caution and wisdom in order to avoid damage to the sciatic nerve by compression that is too deep. Another approach would be to pin the piriformis at the insertion site of the superior aspect of the greater trochanter, but if the symptoms of piriformis syndrome and sciatic pain are caused by inflammation of the trochanteric bursa, this approach may exacerbate the symptoms. Options with this approach can be limited.

In addressing piriformis syndrome and sciatic pain with ACE MediCupping Therapy, the treatment would begin with magnetic therapy. Place negative (blue) Magnetic MicroCups along the path of the sciatic nerve, then with the client’s feedback, place a positive (red) Magnetic MicroCup either near the origin of the sciatic nerve (L4, L5, S1, S2, S3) or the termination of the sciatic nerve. (The client determines which location is more effective.) The magnetic therapy calms the nerve. After about three minutes of this therapy, remove the Magnetic MicroCups.

Continue the treatment with decompression of the quadratus lumborum and thoracolumbar fascia. Using the appropriately sized cup and suction intensity, the therapist lifts and scoops the tissue from the lamina groove laterally. The decompression and resulting hydration of these dense tissues can release adhesions and allow freer movement and a reduction in pain.

Lift the tissue over the sacrum by placing the appropriately sized cup over the sacrum and use the pumping feature of the MediCupping machine for approximately three minutes while assessing through manual palpation the piriformis and other lateral rotators of the hip. After treating the sacrum for several minutes, remove the cup.

Next, place a large cup over the entire glute and use the pumping feature to lift the gluteus maximus, piriformis, and all accompanying tissue. The decompression will reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve as it passes under or through the piriformis, this will bring hydration and nutrition to the muscles and nerves in posterior hip without compromising the sciatic nerve with compression. As the tissues respond and the client tolerates, add joint mobilization to the hip with internal and external rotation (typically from the flexed knee) timed with the lifting pump of the MediCupping machine to further stretch and treat the belly of the piriformis. After a few minutes of treatment, remove the cup.

Select a cup that will cover the area of the greater trochanter, especially the superior aspect where the insertion of the piriformis is located. Apply an appropriate intensity of straight suction while medially and laterally rotating the hip (typically from the flexed knee.) Be mindful of the intensity of suction and duration of the treatment. This is similar to a pin and stretch at the insertion tendon of the piriformis, but the decompression of the straight suction will not aggravate the trochanteric bursa if there is any bursitis.

Because the piriformis muscle is stretched with decompression and the tissues superficial to the sciatic nerve are lifted and decompressed rather than pressed into the sciatic nerve, this approach is not only safer, but also more comfortable for the client. The piriformis is treated from origin to insertion, space is created for the nerve, nutrients and oxygen are brought to the tissue without inciting inflammation or injury to the nerve or involved bursa. Relief is often achieved in one treatment.

About the Author

Educator Info

• LMT, CMCE

Contact

• Email: fromthedeskofjana@gmail.com

Jana Rego-Heins graduated from the Illinois Central College Massage Therapy Program in December 2006 and became an LMT in early 2007. After graduation, she sought out additional massage continuing education, including various deep tissue and myofascial release modalities. Jana returned to ICC as an instructor teaching muscle anatomy, Swedish, sports, deep tissue, and Condition Specific Massage while completing her bachelor’s at Eastern Illinois University and running her own massage business. She was promoted to program coordinator for the Massage Therapy Program at ICC, acting as instructor and administrator. Now, living in South Georgia, her new passion is ACE Massage Cupping & MediCupping.

Jana is a very proud mother of seven children and four stepchildren. She loves to ride bikes with her husband and her giant dog.