Can I keep running with piriformis syndrome?
Yes and No. You can run in the early stages; Warm up the piriformis before running and stretch before and after any activity. Decrease your mileage at least 30-50%, slow down and avoid hills and speed work as well as uneven surfaces. If you are finding that the muscle pain is causing you to alter your gait, slow down and start therapy before you end up with another injury. Think of it this way, as the piriformis tightens, the pelvis is actually pulled upward which gives you a functional leg length discrepancy. Major biomechanical injuries to your other leg and foot can occur due to compensation! In other words, piriformis tightness in the left hip can cause arch or knee pain in the right leg! What else could it be? Only a sports medicine physician can give you a true diagnosis of piriformis syndrome. Lumbar spine injuries like a herniated disc or degenerative arthritis as well as a pelvic stress fracture can mimic piriformis syndrome. A complete physical exam should highlight the culpr
