Self Myofascial Release in Individuals With Piriformis Syndrome

The Effect of Self Myofascial Release and Stretching Exercises in Individuals With Piriformis Syndrome

Piriformis syndrome is pain that extends from the hip to the knee, caused by the pressure of the piriformis muscle in the hip on the sciatic nerve. There is no valid protocol for the treatment of this syndrome. Physiotherapists generally use hip strengthening exercises and modalities for pain. In this study, in addition to the classical treatment, we will give two different programs consisting of self-myofascial relaxation and stretching exercises to two different groups for 4 weeks as home exercise. We will question the level of pain that people felt in the hip before starting the exercises and at the 4th week after starting the exercises and measured the hip joint range of motion.

Piriformis syndrome (PS) is a condition caused by compression of the sciatic nerve, causing pain, tingling, and numbness. Although conservative treatment includes hip muscle strengthening and stretching, there is no proven treatment method in the literature.

This study will be conducted to investigate the effect of stretching and myofascial release added to standard physiotherapy treatment in piriformis syndrome.

This prospective, randomized controlled study will be planned to completed with 64 individuals between the ages of 20-40. Participants will be randomized into the Piriformis Muscle Stretch Group (PiM-S) and Piriformis Muscle Self Myofascial Release Group (PiM-SMR). Both groups will be included in a home program of muscle strengthening exercises for 4 weeks. And groups will be subjected to perform stretching and self-myofascial relaxation exercises, respectively, in addition to the home exercise program. The primary outcome of the study is pain intensity, and the secondary outcome is determined as the range of motion (ROM) of the hip.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male and female participants
• Aged 20 to 40 years
• Presented leg or hip posterior compartment pain
• Diagnosed with chronic PS and without any other source of pain

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any pathology or acute injury around the hip, sacroiliac joint, or lumbar spine;
• Limb length discrepancy,
• Recent buttock trauma,
• Deep gluteal syndrome,
• Extrapelvic compression of the sciatic nerve or sacral plexus ischiogluteal/ischiofemoral bursitis or impingement, Upper hamstring tendinitis,
• Fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome
• Pregnancy.