How To Tell If You Have Piriformis Syndrome [Step-By-Step Diagnostic Tutorial]

Tired of dealing with a literal pain in the butt? Stuck wondering if the back, hip, hamstring, piriformis or sciatic nerve is causing the problem? In this video, I guide you through a step-by-step self diagnostic process for determining if Piriformis Syndrome (or something else) is causing your buttock pain- WITHOUT needing X-rays, MRIs, diagnostic shots, or seeing another specialist. We'll talk through what Piriformis Syndrome is, what it is NOT, and how to arrive at the most likely diagnosis/cause of your issue.
True Piriformis Syndrome is super rare- yet most people have heard of this muscle being a primary cause of sciatica- or leg numbness/tingling. While it is true that the sciatic nerve passes underneath this muscle (therefore making it prone to compression) and in 15% of cases the nerve pierces through the muscle... most sciatica is caused by a herniated disc in the lower back. Some other things that cause buttock and leg pain include hip problems, back issues, and SI Joint issues.
If you think you have Piriformis Syndrome or Deep Gluteal Syndrome (DGS)-- but also feel lower back pain- then chances are the back and leg pain is coming from an issue in your back- NOT the piriformis. I step you through the exact self tests you can do at home to figure it out.
It is estimated that true Piriformis Syndrome accounts for only 6% of people who have sciatica. With it being so rare- chances are much more likely that a problem somewhere else is causing your glute and leg pain.
Follow the steps in this video (in order, don't skip around!) to arrive at the most likely cause of your pain in the buttock:
00:00- Intro
00:48- Everything you'll learn in this video
01:35- Who am I and why should you believe what I'm sharing?
02:41- The 6 Steps
03:36- Diagnosing & Defining Piriformis Syndrome
06:19- Diagnosis by Subtraction
(*DON'T SKIP STEPS! - they are in this order for a reason)
06:42- STEP 1 - Rule out big, ugly, scary things (like cancer, fracture or vascular stuff)
18:01- STEP 2 - Mind vs. Body
34:12- STEP 3 - Rule out the Back/SI Joint
38:25- STEP 4 - Rule out the Hip Joint
47:33- STEP 5 - Rule out a Hamstring Problem
57:50- STEP 6 - Piriformis Syndrome/Deep Gluteal Syndrome is your most likely diagnosis if you've made it to this step
58:23- Now... What do you do about the diagnosis you've identified today?
Submit your case for review and set up a time to chat with us to see if/how we can help you solve it! - www.drcharliejohnsonpt.com/apply
#drcharliejohnsonpt #piriformissyndrome #piriformistest #piriformisstretches
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• How To Tell If You Hav...

[@drcharliejohnson]

Thanks for watching! Want back/butt/sciatica pain relief & to get back to normal naturally? Click here to set up a time to chat & submit your case for review to see if/how we can help with what you found to be the most likely cause of your pain 👉www.drcharliejohnsonpt.com/apply

[@tractortinkerer11]

Thanks just came across your videos. Suffering this right now. Watched two of your videos and I will try this. My problem is that at night my right side is great. Most times I sleep well , but when I get up in the morning and I move to get my glasses from the night stand it fires up and then for the next 3 hours or more it is very painful. I believe this came from a lifting incident over a year ago. This will last for about 3 months and then go away for a few weeks, last was 3 weeks gone until it came back 3 days ago.

[@drcharliejohnson]

Hey! Sorry to hear- but thanks for watching. Let me know if ya get stuck or want help resolving this.
If you're interested, I'd be happy to review your case personally to see if/how I can best help.
No pressure, but if so- just visit www.drcharliejohnsonpt.com/apply - select a time to chat and follow instructions to submit your case for review.
Hang in there!
Dr. Charlie

[@didactica9326]

Same

[@user-cw7ow4yu8p]

I really appreciate where you’re going with this video because it totally spells it out for people that are new to the pain game. For myself, it lacked the experience of a sufferer. I in fact, have piriformis syndrome, bursitis, a pinched nerve, sciatic, as well as tendinosis in several places, throughout my body. So the diagnosis is broader. I don’t want all this to get lost in the fact that this was a very good video and I appreciate what you’ve said here so thank you.

[@drcharliejohnson]

Hey! thanks for you feedback. Curious what your evidence list would suggest... mind vs. body? Not to belittle your pain, but the chance that someone has ALL these conditions (PS, bursitis, pinched nerve, sciatica , tendinosis in various areas) is VERY low probability wise unless you're dealing with some systemic inflammatory condition. What is much MORE likely diagnostically is ONE source driving it all (centrally).
Appreciate your feedback and you watching. How many boxes do you check on the mind vs. body side of the equation?
Let me know!
Thanks for sharing!

[@jerrycash5606]

I feel better.
Still waiting for the Thoracic Diagnostic Guide.
Gratitude Charlie!!!
Very thorough. One of your best videos.

[@drcharliejohnson]

Thanks Jerry- HOLD tight!

[@tomcat6933]

I had lateral hip replacement 8 months ago. I am going thru this journey of MRI's, doctors, therapists, and 4th epidural shots in SI joint and between several L disc trying to solve my butt, sciatica leg, and whatever pain it is. One thing is clear, hip replacement surgery.

[@maryloucoppola9356]

I'm so confused. I definitely had sciatica, worse case, all the way from buttocks into thigh and knee and into my left foot. It somewhat subsided but pain settled into my hip area and upper thigh. Stairs are the worse. An orthopedic dr. Says I have hip bursitis. Pt is starting next week. This has been going on since February. Ouch! Thoughts?

[@drcharliejohnson]

Hey Mary! Does sound like you had sciatica (likely L4/L5 nerve irritation based off what you're describing... but hard to be certain without more details). Sounds like we simply need to begin tweaking the way you do stairs... to find what motions/strategies your body prefers when it climbs stairs. From here we can turn this into an exercise that can resolve your pain.
No pressure, as it sounds like you have a PT appointment set up- but, if you're looking for a different approach and are open to some help from me- I'd be happy to review your case personally.
If you're interested in that- just visit www.drcharliejohnsonpt.com/apply - select a time to chat, then follow instructions to submit details of your case.
Sound good?
Hang in there Mary!
Dr. Charlie PT

[@didactica9326]

Amazing thank you very much! I needed this and it came at a perfect time for me, I’m at a loss as to what to do for myself after resting from exercise for 2 full months (light walking a couple days a week) waiting for my sciatic nerve and pain in my glute to subside but it’s just an annoyance that won’t go away.

[@drcharliejohnson]

You're welcome- glad you found it helpful. Thanks for watching!
Yes, rest often "calms things down" but rarely fully resolves symptoms.
Would you be interested in me reviewing your case to see if I may be able to help?
No pressure, but if so, just visit www.drcharliejohnsonpt.com/apply - select a time to chat and then follow instructions to submit your case review.
OR if you have other questions- just drop em' below!