Piriformis syndrome is buttock pain and sciatica-like symptoms caused by irritation in the piriformis muscle and surrounding tissues, sometimes affecting the sciatic nerve. Symptoms often include deep buttock pain, pain with sitting, and discomfort that can radiate into the leg. At Mountain View Pain Center, we help identify what’s driving your symptoms and build a plan to reduce pain and restore comfortable movement.
When to Seek Urgent Care
Seek urgent evaluation if you have new or worsening weakness, loss of bowel or bladder control, saddle numbness, severe unrelenting pain after trauma, fever/chills, or rapidly worsening numbness/tingling.
Because piriformis syndrome can resemble sciatica from the spine, we start by clarifying symptom pattern and ruling out other common sources of nerve irritation. Your visit may include movement testing, hip mobility assessment, evaluation of the low back, hips, and surrounding muscles, and specific exam maneuvers that can reproduce piriformis-related symptoms. If symptoms include radiating pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness, we may also perform a basic neurologic screen. We also check for red flags to determine whether imaging or referral is appropriate.
At Mountain View Pain Center, our multidisciplinary team combines evidence-based care to reduce irritation and improve hip mechanics:
Targeted diagnostic injections and image-guided procedures when appropriate if symptoms overlap with significant nerve irritation or related joint pain sources.
Mobility and strengthening focused on hip rotation control, glute activation, and movement retraining to reduce recurring strain.
Hands-on care to support joint mobility and reduce muscle tension, tailored to your symptoms and comfort.
A supportive option that may help reduce discomfort and improve relaxation as part of a broader plan.
Every clinic below has Chiropractic, Physical Therapy, Acupuncture and Pain Management on one chart, so care can move between them without a new referral.
Downtown out through the north, west, south and east suburbs.
Academy, Interquest and Tenderfoot cover the north, central and south of the city.
Harmony in Fort Collins and our Greeley clinic serve Larimer and Weld counties.
Across the Valley, from the West Valley through Phoenix to the East Valley.
Piriformis syndrome involves irritation in the buttock/hip region that can mimic sciatica. Sciatica can also come from the low back (disc/stenosis). Evaluation helps determine the source.
Sitting can increase pressure and tension around the piriformis muscle, which may worsen symptoms.
Not always. If symptoms or exam findings suggest imaging would help guide care decisions, we’ll recommend the appropriate next step.
Many patients improve with coordinated care focused on hip mobility, glute/core strength, and movement retraining—often combining PT, Chiropractic care, and Acupuncture.
Gentle, appropriate stretching can help some people, but it’s most effective when combined with strengthening and mechanics work. We’ll guide what’s appropriate.
Often, no. Some insurance plans require a referral or authorization—if you’re unsure, we can help verify.
The nerve is being irritated in the buttock rather than at the spine, so the examination findings differ even though the leg pain can feel the same. Telling them apart changes the treatment, which is why it is worth examining rather than guessing.
Stretching alone rarely holds. What tends to work is Physical Therapy that addresses why the muscle is working that hard, alongside Chiropractic care for the pelvis and hip, with a trigger point injection where the muscle will not release.
Piriformis Syndrome is treated at every Mountain View Pain Center clinic in Colorado and Arizona — see the full clinic map, Colorado or Arizona.
