Buttock Pain referred from the Lumbar Spine

What is pain referred from the lumbar spine?

Pain in buttocks can be referred from the lower back. There does not necessarily have to be pain in the lower back as well for pain to be referred into the buttocks.

What are the symptoms of pain referred from the back?

• An aching in the buttocks that is difficult to pinpoint.
• The slump test may reproduce buttock pain which is eased when the neck is relaxed back (extended).
• Areas of the lumbar spine may be tender and have poor mobility.
• Tight gluteal muscles and other muscles of the buttocks.

What can the athlete do?

• See sports injury professional who can identify the problems in the lower spine.
• Begin an exercise programme that will stretch and strengthen the muscles supporting the lumbar spine.
• Stretch the gluteal muscles and hip rotator muscles.

What can a sports injury professional do?

• Manipulate and mobilize the segments of the lumbar spine. This is a good way of assessing whether the lumbar spine is a cause of buttock pain. If it is then symptoms will be relieved.
• Deep tissue sports massage techniques can be applied to the lower back and buttocks to release muscle tension, particularly in chronic conditions.
• Acupuncture or dry needling can also help reduce chronic tension in muscles.

What other injuries are related or similar?

• Piriformis syndrome
• Sciatica
• Sacroiliac joint pain.