Buttock and Hamstring pain

[Dragolth]

I'm trying to identify the source of pain I've been dealing with for about 6 months. The most consistent symptom is varying levels of pain when standing from the seated postition. The pain is located in the right buttock and sometimes extends down the hamstring and is most intense when in the last 20% of the range of motion bringing my body erect to the standing position. Other movements, especially getting in/out of a car are also becoming painful. A curious part is that the level of pain varies and diminishes once I am moving around alot. What would this indicate?

[Heidi]

Hi

My initial thought is piriformis syndrome. This is where the piriformis muscle in the buttock tightens up and impinges on the sciatic nerve, resulting in the sciatic symptoms you have described.

Sciatica can also be caused by other things, most commonly lumbar disc herniation, however, this is unlikely if there is no back pain and there was no incident that sparked the pain.

The best way of knowing if it is muscle related is by using a tennis ball to massage the buttock area. Sit with one cheek on the ball and roll it around. At this point you may think I am slightly crazy! But if you do this and you find a very tender or even painful area mid-buttock, then piriformis syndrome it is! You can find out more here:

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/back/buttocks/piriformis.htm

Treatment for this condition usually involves massage, stretching and strengthening of larger glute muscles, particularly gluteus medius