With winter in Lincoln Park and Chicago here, activity levels increase due to achieving certain health goals, mainly resolutions and wanting to get healthier.  However, as the holidays ended, and time off forces Chicagoans back to work, sitting for long periods again in front of your screen(s) are common due to increasing work demands.  One common kind of pain resulting from sitting for too long working is buttock muscle pain. Buttock pain is an issue that affects people of all ages and activity levels. Whether it’s a dull ache, a sharp, stabbing pain, or a persistent discomfort, understanding the causes and learning the treatment options can help you address the issue effectively. In this post, we’ll explore the common causes, symptoms, and remedies for buttock muscle pain from a chiropractic perspective.

Common Causes of Buttock Muscle Pain include, but are not limited to:

1. Muscle Strain: Overuse or sudden movements can lead to muscle strain in the glute region. This is common in athletes, runners, or those who engage in heavy lifting.
2. Piriformis Syndrome: This condition occurs when the piriformis muscle, located deep in the buttocks, irritates the sciatic nerve. It commonly results in pain that radiates down the leg.
3. Sciatica: Caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, sciatica can cause sharp, shooting pain that starts in the lower back and extends through the buttocks and down the leg.
4. Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursae (small fluid-filled sacs that cushion joints) in the hip can lead to pain in the buttocks.
5. Trigger Points: Tight knots or spasms in the gluteal muscles can cause localized or referred pain.
6. Lower Back Issues: Conditions such as herniated discs or spinal stenosis (or narrowing of the spinal canal compressing nerves in your spine) can contribute to pain that manifests in the buttocks.
7. Prolonged Sitting: Spending long hours seated, especially on hard surfaces, can compress the muscles and nerves in the buttock region, causing discomfort.

Symptoms of buttock pain can include, the following:

• Pain or tenderness in the buttock area
• Radiating pain down the leg (sciatica symptoms)
• Stiffness or limited range of motion in the hips and/or lower back
• Muscle weakness in the glutes or legs
• Numbness or tingling sensations in the buttock area

If you experience severe or persistent symptoms, it’s necessary to reach out to a chiropractor or healthcare professional to learn how to treat this based on the cause.

There are several options for treatment, depending on the root cause of the issue.  Once consulting with a chiropractor, and undergoing a series of tests in your exam, treatment for your injury will include likely several elements to help you heal.  Stretching (piriformis and hip rotator muscles) in addition to gluteal strengthening exercises (including bridges, and clamshells) can create less muscle imbalance, and more activation  to reduce the pain and increase your stability.  Also, engaging your core more through your abdominal wall and pelvic floor create more stability for your buttock pain. Also, applying ice and heat help your symptoms depending on the length of time you’ve experienced these symptoms to either reduce inflammation and swelling (ice), or to increase circulation and improve muscle tension (heat).

Chiropractic manipulation to reduce the pressure on the nerves around these areas increases movement and function from reporting less pain.  Lastly, seeking out an Active Release Techniques provider helps to break down scar tissue via stretching that likely contributed to this injury. Treatment may likely involve a few treatments to reduce your pain, improve your movement, and function, but having this conversation with the chiropractor you seek out is important to determine the right course of action.

To decrease your pain, warm up properly before exercise, avoid prolonged periods of sitting, strength training, consistent stretching, and ensuring proper posture.  Buttock muscle pain can significantly impact your daily life, but with the right approach, it’s possible to find relief and prevent recurrence. By understanding the underlying causes and implementing these remedies and prevention tips, you can stay active and pain-free.