Piriformis Syndrome

There are several potential causes of sciatica, including a herniated disc, a narrow spinal canal, and a misplaced vertebra. But if you are frequently experiencing shooting pain or numbness down one leg when you climb stairs or sit for a long period, you may have piriformis syndrome. This muscular disorder can result from acute injuries and overuse, but at the Carolina Chiropractic Center in Florence, South Carolina, we’ll identify its cause and help you find safe pain relief.

The sciatic nerve branches off from the spinal cord in the lumbar region of the spine and travels down the leg. On the way, it passes around, through, or on either side of deep muscle in either side of the pelvis named the piriformis. The piriformis muscle is shaped like a triangle and connects the sacrum, the part of the spine between the hip bones, to the top of the femur. It helps to stabilize the hip and rotates the leg away from the body. A swollen piriformis can compress the sciatic nerve, triggering sciatica symptoms.

People can develop Piriformis Syndrome by falling on their hips or by doing intense lower body work that jostles their hips a lot, such as if they run up stairs or rocky hills. Because the symptoms it causes are similar to those of other musculoskeletal disorders, Piriformis Syndrome is diagnosed through imaging and process of elimination. The body can usually recover from piriformis inflammation, so we focus on relieving the patient’s pain through noninvasive, non-addictive treatments such as manual adjustments, therapeutic ultrasounds, and electric muscle stimulation. Patients should gradually return to activity but avoid high-impact exercises and running on hard surfaces.

Dr. James Huggins runs the Carolina Chiropractic Center at 1627 Suite C, South Irby, Florence, South Carolina, 29505. To set up an appointment, call 843-665-9192 or visit Carolina Chiro Center and fill out a contact form.

 

Knee Pain

Have you taken a bump to your knee that’s still sore days later? Don’t wait any longer to get it checked out. At the Carolina Chiropractic Center in Florence, we frequently help people whose musculoskeletal systems have been disrupted by sports injuries and degenerative conditions. If your knee is out of alignment, you may find yourself compensating by throwing off the balance of your hips and lower back, leading to more pain. Our office will help you treat the pain and prevent it from returning.

Knee pain is formally called “patellofemoral syndrome.” The patella, or kneecap, is the largest of the body’s sesamoid bones. What this means is that the kneecap does not directly connect to other bones; it is anchored into a groove in the femur by tendons and ligaments and rests over a bed of cartilage. If there is something wrong with the ligaments, the kneecap may move out of place and rub against the cartilage, removing the leg bones’ cushioning and triggering inflammation. Soreness and stiffness will persist as long as the kneecap is displaced.

An adjustment can put the kneecap back in place and noninvasive therapies, such as electric muscle stimulation and ultrasound, can reduce swelling in the surrounding soft tissues. Our chiropractic office is dedicated to providing musculoskeletal solutions that are cost-effective and low risk. Strengthening exercises will allow the knee tendons to hold the patella more firmly in place in the future, and better posture and hydration will make them less likely to fray.

Dr. James Huggins runs the Carolina Chiropractic Center at 1627 Suite C, South Irby, Florence, South Carolina, 29505. To set up an appointment, call 843-665-9192 or visit Carolina Chiro Center and fill out a contact form.