Being mobile during pregnancy has many benefits but sometimes just that short walk can prove to be difficult. Pain and pregnancy are common but when your doctor suspects Piriformis Syndrome it can sound worse than it is. Piriformis syndrome in pregnancy can be painful and not what you need to add to your list of pregnancy symptoms.
Piriformis Syndrome In Pregnancy – What Is It?
Piriformis syndrome is not thought to be common but amongst pregnant women, it is quite the opposite.
There is a significant increase in symptoms becoming problematic, this is caused when the piriformis muscle stretches and tightens with posture change and hormones. Symptoms are similar to Sciatica but Piriformis Syndrome during pregnancy is recognized as a separate condition.
Pregnancy Aches and Pains
Your body and mind are totally transformed during pregnancy. From the moment you get your big fat positive you are hurled both mentally and physically into baby making mode.
Hormones are popping like fireworks, and your early symptoms are becoming more apparent be it morning sickness or headaches. This is when experiencing aches and pains in your back and butt may increase causing anxiety and discomfort.
You may be likely to jump on the Sciatica bandwagon but many women can be subjected to Piriformis Syndrome in pregnancy. Both have very similar symptoms yet the problems resonate in different areas of your body.
Please note that this is for information purposes only and it is not a replacement for genuine medical advice.
What is Piriformis Syndrome During Pregnancy?
Your Piriformis muscle is a band of muscles in your buttock. It is located at the top of the hip joint and is responsible for movement in your hips and legs. It’s not until this muscle becomes compromised do you realize how important it is for pain free movement.
During pregnancy a hormone called Relaxin is released, this hormone is the main team player in helping your ligaments, and tendons stretch to allow space for your uterus to expand. During the release of this hormone, your hips will shift and expand meaning your Piriformis muscle will stretch and tighten. This muscle usually runs perpendicular to your sciatic nerve but in some, the nerve can actually run through it. Compression of the sciatic nerve results in pain in the buttock, hip, and thigh region. Usually, with piriformis syndrome, you can expect your symptoms to be worse on one side whereas sciatica can be present in both legs.
Is Piriformis Syndrome Common In Pregnancy?
Piriformis Syndrome is one of the many conditions causing sciatica pain. In a recent 2022 study, it found that up to 50% of women who are pregnant suffer fromlower back pain in pregnancy with the foremost cause being the tightening of the piriformis muscle.
This proves that if you are suffering from lower back and buttock pain it could well be as a result of piriformis syndrome rather than the typical sciatica diagnosis. Fortunately, there are many treatment options available and symptoms can ease once your baby is born.
Symptoms
To be clear, Piriformis Syndrome is a result of a muscle compressing the sciatic nerve. Having piriformis pain in pregnancy can steal your joy from being pregnant, if you are awaiting a diagnosis or you suspect you are suffering check your symptoms below.
- Lower backache
- Pain radiating in your butt
- Dull ache running down your thighs
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Pins and needles
As you can see, symptoms are extremely similar to that of Sciatica and this is because both conditions affect the same sciatic nerve. When dealing with piriformis syndrome you are more likely to only get symptoms on one side but depending how tight your muscle is against the sciatic nerve will depend on which side you feel the worst pain.
What Treatment To Expect
You will be glad to hear that there are many treatment options to help ease your piriformis pain throughout your pregnancy.
Piriformis syndrome treatment in pregnancy is not largely different to if you weren’t pregnant, the only thing to be careful about is the dosage requirement for painkillers and pressure points of heading down the massage route.
Look at the following ways to help relieve yourself of sciatic nerve compression.
Stretching
Stretching your piriformis muscle will help release the tension caused by hormones and posture imbalance.
- Roller technique
This requires a foam roller or something similar like a ball. Rolling this around your hips and buttocks can help you pinpoint the sweet spot that needs stretching.
Rolling in a circular motion can help ease the muscle a little like rolling out dough with your butt and hip being the pastry.
- Cross body stretch
This stretch feels amazing! Being a sufferer in my second pregnancy I found that lifting one ankle over the opposite knee and stretching forward gave me the chance to really stretch my hip and glute muscles.
Cold Therapy
Using ice to treat aches and pains can help numb the affected areas without medicating. Ice packs themselves are a great tool to use in pregnancy but if you haven’t got one the good old frozen peas will do the same job just be sure to wrap any frozen pack in a towel before applying it to your skin.
Heat Therapy
Alternatively you can turn to heat. The warmth from your micro pack or heat pad can relax tense muscles and encourage them to relax. Be aware though, you should only use this type of treatment for short bursts as it can raise your internal temperature.
Bath
You now have a medical excuse for taking a nice long hot soak. To be honest you have this excuse throughout your whole pregnancy but even more so if you have butt pain. Your body instantly relaxes in warm water and you can relish in the buoyancy feeling weightless can make you want to stay there forever.
Medication
Using painkillers can help in the short term but it won’t solve the problem. Acetaminophen is similar to aspirin and a main active ingredient in Tylenol. It is safe to use during pregnancy but you must seek advice from your doctor before taking any new medication.
With muscle and nerve pain you may find that areas on your body can swell. Before being pregnant the one thing you may reach for is anti inflammation meds. According to medicines in pregnancy medicines of this nature are more likely to be prescribed in early pregnancy but after 30 weeks they should be avoided.
Massage
If a massage is something you enjoyed before pregnancy then I can guarantee that getting a pregnancy rub down will be just what the doctor ordered.
Trained specialists can work those tired aching muscles and provide relief and support.
TENs Machine
Many pregnant moms invest in a tens machine. This classy device disrupts the pain signals going to the brain. You can use a Tens machine during pregnancy but only if applied according to doctors’ orders.
Never apply pads to your bump as this can implicate your baby’s health. A tens machine shouldn’t be used if you are at risk from preterm labor.
Sciatica vs Piriformis Syndrome
Piriformis Syndrome and sciatica are two very similar conditions that can become extremely common during pregnancy but the issue is with the symptoms mirroring each other which one are you suffering from?
The main difference between the two conditions is, Piriformis syndrome as we know is the restriction of the sciatic nerve through the piriformis muscle whilst sciatica is also compression of the same nerve, this begins at the base of the spine.
Understanding which one you are suffering from will help determine what stretches are necessary and where to pinpoint your therapy. No need to panic though you are not expected to differ between the two your doctor will have the knowledge to help discover exactly what your diagnosis will be.
When To Seek Advice
As mentioned this article is to provide you with information rather than advice about piriformis syndrome. If you are uncomfortable with pain at any point in your pregnancy then you should always talk to your doctor.
Keeping them in the loop will ensure your notes are up to date and if the pain gets more intense or affects your daily routine then your doctor will be able to give you clear advice about which therapies will work best for your condition.
Wrapping Up
Piriformis syndrome in pregnancy can be the result of typical pregnancy hormones shifting your hips and altering your posture. Although it doesn’t affect your baby, any typical movement can spur symptoms to get worse.
If you find that sitting for prolonged periods exacerbates your pain then you may need to plan ahead. If traveling, taking pit stops to stretch the piriformis muscle can help or if you have a stationary desk job switching your chair for a pregnancy ball may also do the trick.
The key is to identify and get the correct diagnosis for your symptoms. Sciatica and Piriformis Syndrome are regularly misdiagnosed with both having the same symptoms.
If your symptoms are not easing or in fact getting worse then seek advice and consider a prenatal massage or alternative help from a clinician trained in antenatal therapy.
More to Read
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- Can You Crack Your Back While Pregnant – Is It Safe?
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