Piriformis Syndrome

Piriformis syndrome has distinct occupational causative factors. Riding a motorcycle for long periods, like a delivery rider, fixes the hip joint in a flexed and externally rotated state, causing the piriformis muscle to contract continuously. Repeatedly climbing stairs, carrying heavy loads on one side, and standing for long periods with weight on one leg also cause pelvic asymmetry, leading to an overload on the piriformis muscle. When pain is severe on only one side, occupational causes often lead to asymmetry, and the recurrence rate is high if treatment is administered without posture correction. From a Korean medicine perspective, this type corresponds to a state where the function of organs responsible for digestion and circulation is impaired, and internal dampness and waste products are stagnated in the muscles. When Qi and blood become congested in the meridians running through the buttocks and the back of the thighs, the muscles become chronically stiff, and the supply of oxygen and nutrients decreases. At Dongjedang, we restore meridian circulation using acupuncture and moxibustion, and combine this with internal treatment to resolve internal dampness and blood stasis, allowing the piriformis muscle to regain normal elasticity. When the cause is repetitive occupational movements, thread embedding therapy for joint stabilization is also considered.