Piriformis Syndrome

Muscle relaxants (such as baclofen and tizanidine) and anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs) help alleviate acute spasms and inflammation of the piriformis muscle. When combined with Korean medicine treatments such as acupuncture, moxibustion, or physical therapy, short-term combined use is advantageous because the effects of moxibustion tend to be enhanced when the medication has sufficiently relaxed the muscle. However, the prescription of herbal medicine is determined by the attending Korean medicine doctor after reviewing all medications currently being taken. In particular, anticoagulants that affect blood clotting (such as aspirin and warfarin) or medications that place a metabolic burden on the liver must be disclosed in advance. From a Korean medicine perspective, anti-inflammatory painkillers temporarily relieve the surface pain caused by stagnant blood, but they cannot resolve the root causes, such as the stagnation of Qi and blood or the adhesion of muscles and ligaments. Since Dongjedang treatment focuses on opening up circulation in deep areas that medication cannot reach and restoring internal bodily functions, the two complement each other. When prescribing herbal medicine, it is formulated to support liver function, taking into account the detoxification burden on the liver, and we carefully check for any overlapping effects with other medications currently being taken.