Sciatica

The glute minimus is a small, fan-shaped muscle group that lies deep in the buttock region, just above and behind the hip joint. It attaches to the pelvic bone and runs downward to attach to the thigh bone (the femur) near the hip joint. Like the larger Gluteus Medius muscle group that lies over it, the Gluteus Minimus functions to stabilize the pelvis during walking and other upright activities.
Gluteus Minimus trigger points can refer pain to the hip joint, buttocks, down the back of the leg to the calf, and down the outside of the leg to the ankle. These trigger points can be activated by trigger points in the quadratus lomborum muscle group, by long periods of immobilization, or by the abnormal body mechanics that are created when a person must limp for any reason. Additionally, men may activate these trigger points by sitting on a large wallet that is kept in the back pocket. The trigger points in this muscle can be divided into two groups. The posterior trigger points, typically three or four in number, refer pain to buttocks, back of the thigh, and calf regions. The lateral trigger points lie directly above the hip joint and refer pain to the outside buttock, hip joint, outside thigh, and lower leg regions.

The piriformis muscle is a short, small muscle that is located deep in the buttock region. It functions to rotate the thigh, and helps to stabilize the hip joint during walking. This muscle lies next to a major nerve (the Sciatic Nerve) and blood vessels. Trigger points in this muscle can cause it to become tense enough for it to entrap or compress the nerve and blood vessel, producing systems such as pain, numbness, and swelling that travel down the leg from the gluteal region. Clinical studies suggest that sciatica symptoms are cuased by Piriformis syndrome more often than they are caused by a spinal disc rupture or prolapse.
Additionally, the Piriformis trigger points may refer pain to the Sacro-Iliac Joint, buttock, and hip joint regions. This referred pain may occur with the other symptoms created by entrapment of the sciatic nerve.

" When I first went to see Jessa I had pain in my side and lower back. She was gentle and with her techniques she was able to alleviate the pain and get me back to my normal routine in a short time. Along with her treatments and the exercises she gave me I am a much happier woman! " - Sandra Etsy, Grass Valley

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