What to Do About a Pinched Nerve in Buttocks

No matter where it is, a pinched nerve is a painful experience. One particularly difficult area to have a pinched nerve is in the buttocks- while the pain may be specific to this area, it can also often shoot down your legs, hips, or groin. This can make sitting, driving, and even sleeping difficult until you are able to find relief. If you are experiencing this sort of pain, visiting Bend Spinal Care can help you to identify the cause, rule out any potential related issues, and reduce your pain levels. The goal of a chiropractor is to help you regain normal activity and comfort, and with a pinched nerve in your buttocks, this will be important for you too.

Causes of Pinched Nerve in Buttocks

In most cases, nerve pain in the buttocks and legs is caused by a condition known as sciatica, where the sciatic nerve that is near your spinal canal becomes pinched. In addition to the pain you are feeling, numbness, tingling, and weakness are also signs that sciatica is the cause of your pain. Sciatica itself is usually caused by a herniated disc or “slipped disc”.

Discs are rubber-like pads that sit between your vertebrae, which are the individual bones that make up your spine. When one of these discs pushes through its covering, this is known as a herniated disc, which can put pressure on nearby nerves, including the sciatic nerve. When the disc that becomes herniated is low in the spine, this can lead to the buttocks and leg pain you are experiencing. While discs can become herniated due to an injury, they are also more likely as you age, and the discs begin to break down. A chiropractic physician at Bend Spinal Care can perform imaging to determine the health of your spinal discs.

When sciatica is not the cause of your buttocks nerve pain, there are a number of other conditions that may be at fault. Spinal stenosis, in which the spinal canal gradually narrows, is one possibility. Piriformis syndrome, Spondylolisthesis, and Deep gluteal syndrome are all other possibilities.

Identifying a Pinched Nerve in Buttocks

It can be hard to tell where the pain in your buttocks originates to trace it back to the sciatic nerve or other causes. For this reason, the best way to determine the cause of your pain is to visit a doctor who can perform a physical exam and imaging such as MRIs to identify the impacted nerve.

Another reason it can be difficult to identify the source of your pain is that many people experience sciatic pain in different ways. Some will feel a tingling sensation, similar to a limb being “asleep” and numbness that runs down the legs. Others may experience weakness in the legs, pain that radiates down the legs, or simply a deep pain in the buttock. Sitting for long periods of exercise can exacerbate the pain in many cases.

Treating a Pinched Nerve in Buttocks

If you are in pain, you will likely try a number of home remedies to reduce the pain. In the case of a pinched nerve, these home treatments can be beneficial:

• Ice and Heat: Ice can help swelling and inflammation, so it is likely a good option for sharp pains. This can be alternated with applying heat to relax muscles and reduce nerve compression. A combination of these two temperatures can be a great first step to alleviate pain.
• NSAIDs: These over-the-counter pain medications can help with pain management as well as inflammation.

When you visit a chiropractor at Bend Spinal Care to address your nerve pain, they will be able to offer chiropractic adjustments and additional treatments to manage your pain and improve mobility. They may suggest the following as ways to address the condition:

• Decompression Therapy/Traction: This is commonly used for people suffering from sciatic nerve pain, as the traction can decrease pressure on the nerve and therefore reduce pain and inflammation. At Bend Spinal Care we have used this modality for 20+ years with a 90% success rate. This is performed using a set specific computerized variable pressure that pumps the injured disc allowing it to receive new blood flow, reduce inflammation and change the metabolic state of the area.
• Injections: Epidural steroid injections can help with inflammation of the nerve that is leading to pain. This is a more invasive medication, but these injections are considered safe and effective.
• Muscle relaxants: If pain is not effectively managed by over-the-counter medication, a doctor can prescribe muscle relaxants to help.
• Surgery: If symptoms continue to progress despite treatment, surgery can be performed to address your specific case.

You do not have to live with the pain of a pinched nerve in your buttocks. At Bend Spinal Care, we offer chiropractic physicians who are specialists committed to your recovery. From the radiologists at CORA who perform imaging to the chiropractic physicians, massage therapists and extensive treatment modalities, Bend Spinal Care is dedicated to relieving your pain and helping you regain mobility. Contact us today to address your pain and begin a path towards a pain-free life. (541) 318-8627