can I run while recovering from piriformis syndrome?

Aug 20, 23 12:36

Post #1 of 19 (2538 views)

Hi All,

I tweaked my piriformis in mid-July (sudden sharp, electric pain tangled through my glute). It's happened a few more times over the next several weeks. Since the first time, I immediately stopped running. I've been riding and elliptical-ing, and have had massage and chiropractic since it happened. I'm also stretching and am on the lacrosse ball 2-3 times a day. I haven't had a "tweak" in about three weeks. Do you think I could try running (I always build extremely cautiously when coming back from injury)? My chiropractor and massage therapist think yes.... I also really value what any ST'er who has had piriformis syndrome has done!

Thank you so much!

Re: can I run while recovering from piriformis syndrome? [minniebeck] [ In reply to ]

Aug 20, 23 14:35

Post #2 of 19 (2468 views)

minniebeck wrote:

Hi All,

I tweaked my piriformis in mid-July (sudden sharp, electric pain tangled through my glute). It's happened a few more times over the next several weeks. Since the first time, I immediately stopped running. I've been riding and elliptical-ing, and have had massage and chiropractic since it happened. I'm also stretching and am on the lacrosse ball 2-3 times a day. I haven't had a "tweak" in about three weeks. Do you think I could try running (I always build extremely cautiously when coming back from injury)? My chiropractor and massage therapist think yes.... I also really value what any ST'er who has had piriformis syndrome has done!

Thank you so much!

this injury i did a lot of stair master to keep run fitness. start there

Re: can I run while recovering from piriformis syndrome? [minniebeck] [ In reply to ]

Aug 20, 23 15:16

Post #3 of 19 (2443 views)

Use your best judgement and get some professional advice to make sure that is in fact the issue.

having said that….

I think this is one where you are better off staying active while building some glute strength.

Lots of exercises can be found online.

Re: can I run while recovering from piriformis syndrome? [minniebeck] [ In reply to ]

Aug 20, 23 16:18

Post #4 of 19 (2415 views)

Yes - butt it will hurt

"What's your claim?" - Ben Gravy
"Your best work is the work you're excited about" - Rick Rubin

Re: can I run while recovering from piriformis syndrome? [SBRinSD] [ In reply to ]

Aug 20, 23 16:23

Post #5 of 19 (2413 views)

SBRinSD wrote:

I think this is one where you are better off staying active while building some glute strength.

Lots of exercises can be found online.

Since I've been WFH full-time since 2020, and find myself going up & down the steps in the house constantly all day, I've found that taking them two-at-a-time is magnificent for the buttoski

YMMV

"What's your claim?" - Ben Gravy
"Your best work is the work you're excited about" - Rick Rubin

Re: can I run while recovering from piriformis syndrome? [minniebeck] [ In reply to ]

Aug 20, 23 16:34

Post #6 of 19 (2404 views)

i don't know what that is but i doubt it. you probably got it from running. go to a pool and do some jogging on the spot if you really want to. then in 4 weeks re assess. good luck :)

Re: can I run while recovering from piriformis syndrome? [minniebeck] [ In reply to ]

Aug 20, 23 16:52

Post #7 of 19 (2387 views)

Chronic piriformis sufferer. Dry needling has been surprisingly helpful in getting me back into running. Wouldn't recommend running with a sore piriformis fwiw

Re: can I run while recovering from piriformis syndrome? [Jimi Sendrix] [ In reply to ]

Aug 21, 23 18:06

Post #8 of 19 (2216 views)

Thank you. I will ask my PT about dry needling. We've done it for other injuries. I think I will wait for one more week of no pain before getting back to running.

Re: can I run while recovering from piriformis syndrome? [synthetic] [ In reply to ]

Aug 21, 23 18:07

Post #9 of 19 (2212 views)

Thank you. I've been doing elliptical and one of those big stairmills. Getting there.

Re: can I run while recovering from piriformis syndrome? [SBRinSD] [ In reply to ]

Aug 21, 23 18:09

Post #10 of 19 (2206 views)

Thanks for this. I feel pretty sure of the diagnosis.... Arrived at by my PT, chiro and massage therapist. I think I'm doing all of the things I should be doing while in recovery (stretching, massage, exercises). I appreciate your reply!

Re: can I run while recovering from piriformis syndrome? [RandMart] [ In reply to ]

Aug 21, 23 18:10

Post #11 of 19 (2203 views)

Lol. Thank you. :)

Re: can I run while recovering from piriformis syndrome? [RandMart] [ In reply to ]

Aug 21, 23 18:10

Post #12 of 19 (2200 views)

Appreciate this! Thanks so much.

Re: can I run while recovering from piriformis syndrome? [waverider101] [ In reply to ]

Aug 21, 23 18:13

Post #13 of 19 (2190 views)

Thanks. I am going to wait another week or so to give running a try again. Interestingly, I didn't get it from running. When it happened, I hadn't been running much at all for a month or so. I'm pretty sure it happened because I started going to "body pump" class twice a week (had been going a month when it happened). Needless to say, body pump isn't happening anymore. Once I'm done with this glute injury, I will have to figure out a different way to strength train.

Re: can I run while recovering from piriformis syndrome? [minniebeck] [ In reply to ]

Aug 22, 23 3:15

Post #14 of 19 (2125 views)

I had it for a few weeks and ended up having to take a whole week off from running after limping through painful jogs for a few weeks. Bulgarian split squats with a bit of weight have kept me out of trouble ever since.

Re: can I run while recovering from piriformis syndrome? [minniebeck] [ In reply to ]

Aug 22, 23 6:48

Post #15 of 19 (2085 views)

I've struggled on and off for probably 15 years with piriformis pain. It comes and goes, and typically hangs around for a day or two. Most times I'm able to stretch and foam roll it to the point that cycling and running are tolerable. For preventative measures, I've noticed it's become less regular the more glute exercises I do. I have no clue what causes it to flare up. There are times when I go to bed feeling 100% then waking up with the piriformis tightening down on my sciatica.

Re: can I run while recovering from piriformis syndrome? [minniebeck] [ In reply to ]

Aug 23, 23 8:06

Post #16 of 19 (1936 views)

When I'm deciding my return to running after a lower body injury, I gage it by seeing if I can go for a 40-60 minute walk without pain. If I don't have pain walking, I slowing start the return to running.

I had piriformis syndrome years ago and it lingers for quite some time. I also suffered with a chronic SI joint issue. Driving was the worse! I did the typical seeing the doctors and all the specialist etc etc.

I stopped giving the painful area direct attention and left it alone with rolling and stretching it. I read once on here I think.. that if you had a bruised area from a fall etc would you punch it over and over and roll on it over and over to heal it?

I'd work up stream and downstream from your painful area. One thing that helped me all around was to strengthen the glute medius.

I started to use a band around my knees to do lateral band walks and monster walks etc. I do traditional sit ups with a band around my knees and my feet anchored. I concentrate on pushing my knees out to keep tension on the band. I think this keeps the abs out of the movement to a small degree and the hip flexors are worked more.

Also, squats with the band around my knees concentrating on keeping tension on the band during the movement. If you notice either one or both of your knees trying to cave in, this might be a sign of weak glute medius.

Knock on wood, I currently don't have any issues with the piriformis and si joint.

Gall

Re: can I run while recovering from piriformis syndrome? [minniebeck] [ In reply to ]

Aug 23, 23 11:43

Post #17 of 19 (1894 views)

No disrespect to any of those... But, they are not qualified diagnosticians. Cetaintly not the massage therapist or the chiro. A good actual licensed PT (not an assistant), maybe. But, a good orthopedist would still be better, with follow up from the liscnesed PT.

Perhaps you have pirformis syndrome. But, sports orthopedist and good PT is in the best position to tell you what activity is allowable while you recover. But, in general with soft tissue injuries, if it hurts don't do it. Any painful reptetive motion is more likely to get worse, not better. Light exercise that doesn't cause any pain may be beneficial.

Re: can I run while recovering from piriformis syndrome? [Tom_hampton] [ In reply to ]

Aug 25, 23 12:00

Post #18 of 19 (1712 views)

"piriformis syndrome" may be one of most OVER-diagnosed M/S conditions. It's actually pretty rare. So, yes, get a thorough exam from a PT, preferably one who really know's runners/triathletes. There are about 3-4 differential diagnoses that it could be. And back to your question...technically yes you CAN run, the more appropriate question would be SHOULD you run...and a qualified clinician SHOULD be able to guide you. I personally wouldn't go the orthopedic surgeon route for a couple reasons...a qualified sports medicine doc..sure.

Good luck

CB
Physical Therapist/Endurance Coach
http://www.cadencept.net

Last edited by: PTinAZ: Aug 25, 23 12:01

Re: can I run while recovering from piriformis syndrome? [PTinAZ] [ In reply to ]

Aug 25, 23 12:54

Post #19 of 19 (1698 views)

Fair enough on the ortho. Most of the good sports med specialists here in Dallas that I know are also orthos. Hence, my conflation, and the term "sports ortho".

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