That Pain Shooting Down Your Leg: Understanding Piriformis Syndrome and Finding Relief in San Jose

You’re sitting at your desk when it starts—a deep ache in your buttock that radiates down the back of your leg. Or maybe it hits when you’re driving, the discomfort intensifying with every mile. The sensation ranges from a dull throb to sharp, electric jolts that make you shift constantly seeking relief. If this scenario sounds painfully familiar, you might be dealing with piriformis syndrome, a condition that mimics sciatica and affects countless Bay Area professionals, athletes, and everyday people.

At The Stretch Masters, our physician-supervised stretch therapists see clients struggling with this frustrating condition regularly. The good news? Understanding what’s actually happening in your body—and getting the right professional help—can make a remarkable difference in finding lasting relief.

The Tiny Muscle Causing Major Problems

The piriformis is a small, flat muscle located deep within your buttock, running from your lower spine to the top of your thigh bone. Despite its modest size, this muscle performs a crucial job: it helps rotate your hip outward and stabilizes your pelvis during movement.

Here’s where things get complicated. The sciatic nerve—the longest and thickest nerve in your body—runs directly beneath the piriformis muscle in most people. In some individuals, the nerve actually passes through the muscle itself. When the piriformis becomes tight, inflamed, or spasms, it can compress or irritate the sciatic nerve, creating symptoms that radiate far beyond the muscle’s location.

This compression is what we call piriformis syndrome, and it’s notoriously underdiagnosed because the symptoms so closely resemble true sciatica caused by spinal issues. Many people suffer for months or years, pursuing treatments that address the wrong underlying cause.

Recognizing the Signs of Piriformis Syndrome

Piriformis syndrome presents with a distinctive pattern of symptoms that can range from mildly annoying to significantly debilitating.

• Deep Buttock Pain: The hallmark symptom is a persistent ache deep in one buttock, often described as a feeling of tightness or pressure that doesn’t quite go away.
• Radiating Leg Discomfort: Pain, tingling, or numbness that travels down the back of your thigh and sometimes into your calf. Unlike some spinal conditions, piriformis syndrome rarely affects the foot.
• Sitting Aggravation: Symptoms typically worsen with prolonged sitting, especially on hard surfaces. Many clients tell us they can’t sit through a movie or long meeting without significant discomfort.
• Activity Triggers: Climbing stairs, walking uphill, or running often intensifies symptoms. Some people notice pain after long drives or periods of inactivity.
• Hip Movement Limitations: Reduced range of motion in the hip, particularly with internal rotation, frequently accompanies piriformis syndrome.

Why Silicon Valley Professionals Are Particularly Vulnerable

Living and working in San Jose means long hours at desks, extended commutes, and lifestyles that often prioritize productivity over movement. These factors create a perfect storm for piriformis problems.

Sitting for hours causes the piriformis muscle to remain in a shortened, contracted position. Over time, the muscle adapts to this compressed state, becoming chronically tight. Add the stress that accumulates in the hip and gluteal region during sedentary periods, and you have a recipe for nerve compression.

Weekend warriors face additional risk. Jumping into intense activity after a week of sitting asks unprepared muscles to perform at high levels. The piriformis, already tight from desk work, becomes strained and inflamed, irritating the sciatic nerve it’s supposed to protect.

Even fitness enthusiasts aren’t immune. Runners, cyclists, and gym-goers who neglect proper stretching often develop piriformis tightness. The repetitive motions of these activities can overwork the muscle without adequate recovery.

Why Self-Stretching Often Falls Short

If you’ve tried stretching your piriformis at home with limited success, you’re not alone. The piriformis is one of the most challenging muscles to effectively stretch without assistance, for several important reasons.

First, the muscle’s deep location makes it difficult to isolate. Many common stretches intended for the piriformis actually target surrounding muscles more effectively, leaving the piriformis itself undertreated.

Second, achieving the precise positioning required for an effective piriformis stretch demands body awareness and flexibility that many people lack—especially when they’re already in pain. Compensating with other muscles is almost instinctive, reducing the stretch’s effectiveness.

Third, the sciatic nerve’s proximity means aggressive or improper stretching can actually worsen symptoms. Without understanding the anatomy involved, well-intentioned stretching efforts can irritate an already angry nerve.

This is precisely why physician-supervised assisted stretching produces results that home stretching cannot match.

The Stretch Masters Approach to Piriformis Relief

At The Stretch Masters, we combine expert musculoskeletal knowledge with advanced myofascial release techniques to address piriformis syndrome comprehensively. Our approach differs fundamentally from what you’ll find at typical stretching studios.

Every client begins with a thorough evaluation. Our physician-supervised therapists assess your piriformis and gluteal flexibility, identify any compensation patterns you’ve developed, and understand the specific activities and positions that trigger your symptoms. This assessment informs a customized treatment plan targeting your unique needs.

During one-on-one sessions, our skilled therapists guide your body into precise positions that effectively lengthen the piriformis muscle while protecting the sciatic nerve. The assisted stretching format allows you to relax completely—eliminating the muscle guarding that limits self-stretching effectiveness—while our therapists apply appropriate pressure and movement.

We integrate myofascial release techniques that address the fascia surrounding the piriformis and related muscles. This connective tissue often contributes to chronic tightness, and releasing fascial restrictions enhances the benefits of stretching alone.

Addressing the Complete Picture

Piriformis syndrome rarely exists in isolation. Tight hip flexors, weak gluteal muscles, hamstring imbalances, and postural issues typically contribute to the pattern that led to piriformis problems in the first place.

Our holistic treatment approach addresses these interconnected factors rather than focusing narrowly on symptomatic relief. By improving overall hip mobility, addressing muscular imbalances, and promoting better movement patterns, we help prevent recurrence while resolving current symptoms.

Education forms a cornerstone of our philosophy. We don’t just stretch you and send you home—we teach you about your body, explain what’s contributing to your symptoms, and provide strategies for maintaining improvements between sessions. This empowerment ensures that the benefits of professional stretching extend far beyond our treatment room.

What to Expect During Your First Visit

If you’ve been living with buttock pain and leg symptoms, your first session at The Stretch Masters provides both assessment and relief.

We’ll discuss your symptoms, their history, and the activities that seem to trigger or worsen your discomfort. A physical assessment evaluates your flexibility, identifies restriction patterns, and helps us understand exactly what’s happening in your body.

Your initial stretching session targets the areas of greatest need while establishing baseline measurements we’ll track as treatment progresses. Most clients experience noticeable improvement even after a single session, though lasting relief typically requires a series of treatments combined with consistent home care.

We’ll provide clear recommendations for session frequency, home exercises, and lifestyle modifications that support your recovery. Our goal isn’t just temporary relief—it’s helping you return to the activities you love without the constant distraction of pain.

Reclaim Your Comfort This February

Winter months often mean less movement and more sitting, creating conditions that worsen piriformis syndrome. If you’ve been putting up with buttock pain and radiating leg symptoms, February offers the perfect opportunity to take action.

At The Stretch Masters, our team of physician-supervised stretch therapists brings medical expertise and advanced technique to every session. We serve clients throughout San Jose, Los Gatos, Morgan Hill, and the greater Bay Area who are ready to move beyond managing symptoms and toward genuine resolution.

Schedule Your Piriformis Assessment Today

Stop living with pain that disrupts your work, limits your activities, and affects your quality of life. The specialized piriformis and gluteal stretching services at The Stretch Masters can help you find the relief you’ve been seeking.

Contact us at (408) 521-0080 to schedule your evaluation. Our San Jose location at 1610 Blossom Hill Road, Suite 4, offers convenient Monday through Friday appointments. Discover why our integrated approach to assisted stretching and myofascial release delivers results that self-stretching simply cannot achieve.