If you experience pain in your buttocks after working long hours on your computer, take action now to get rid of your discomfort. People who sit for prolonged periods of time can experience a number of symptoms, including buttock pain and back pain. Prolonged sitting can also cause piriformis syndrome, which can become worse without treatment. In addition, the syndrome can potentially cause problems with your sciatic nerves and the body areas they support. Here are things to know about piriformis syndrome, how it causes buttock pain and what you can do to stop it.

What's Piriformis Syndrome?

Piriformis syndrome occurs when the piriformis muscles of your buttocks ache or tighten up from stress, inflammation and pressure. Sitting tends to flatten out the muscles that support your buttocks, thighs and hips, including the gluteus maximus. As the muscles flatten, they become weak and flaccid. The piriformis muscles may need to work harder in order to compensate for the weakened muscle tissues in your buttocks, which can cause them to twitch uncontrollably. The spasmodic piriformis muscles can eventually aggravate the sciatic nerves traveling near them.

Sciatic nerves travel from the lower region of your back, through your hips and down the backs of your thighs. One of the problems with sciatic nerve pain is that it can originate in one area of the body, such as a piriformis muscle, and gradually cause problems in other places, such as your feet and hips. Although the pain usually affects one specific side of the body, it's possible to experience discomfort in both sides. This is most likely why you have pain in both buttocks instead of one.

The pain can eventually spread up your back and to your shoulders and neck. You may notice that your posture seems out of place when you sit down. The muscles in these areas become tired and weak, which forces your shoulders to slouch and neck to arch forward. After awhile, you experience pain all over.

To get rid of your pain and prevent the issues above, make a few changes in how you work at home and on your computer.

What Can You Do to Alleviate Your Pain?

One of the best ways to alleviate your current pain and prevent other issues is to see a chiropractor for care. A chiropractor is a specialist who treats body aches and conditions without medications. Instead, the specialist uses treatments, such as spinal adjustments, water therapy and ice therapy, to remove inflammation from the body. Other treatments may include using equipment that stimulate nerve function and control involuntary movement in muscle tissues.

Before your chiropractic treatment begins, a specialist may examine your hips, spine and buttocks with X-rays. The images may reveal the sources of your pain, such as the exact location of your pinched sciatic nerves or inflamed piriformis muscles. The exam may also involve manually checking the condition and position of your body to find out if you have alignment problems in your posture.

After a chiropractor begins treatment, they may suggest that you change how you work at home. For instance, instead of using a regular work chair, you might invest in an ergonomic workstation that allows you to adjust the height of your computer to accommodate your pain. You may choose to use a chair that features a more supportive back and seat. Placing a footrest or stool beneath your feet to raise or lift your legs may take stress off your buttocks as well. These are just a few things you can do to help you work without pain.

For more information about your buttock pain and where it comes from, contact a chiropractor in your area today.

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