All-Star I'm At A Loss...pain In The Butt

[Gemma]

Going to add one more weird thing but because you mentioned the hamstrings being awful tight. Not sure how long this is going on but because she is 8.... could be a growth spurt going on as well? I know my oldest has shot up like an inch and then gone through terrible pain for close to a month and we had her do lots of stretching because her legs and tush everything just got tight.

I'm hoping that is all it is---she seems to have gotten taller and leggier lately so maybe

 

[FlyHighUK]

You haven't mentioned her complaining of any back pain? Which for me would initially rule out Sciatica, stress fracture, L-spine damage, disc problem. Not to say that isn't possible, but I would be inclined to look elsewhere first and come back to that if still at a loss.

Could possibly be a tight piriformis muscle? It's a small muscle, deep inside the bum/hip joint. It sits across the sciatic nerve and when tight, can often be the cause of sciatic type pain. However you haven't mentioned your daughter complaining of shooting/tingling pains down the legs which is a good sign. It's a lateral rotator, so when it contracts it turns the leg out from parallel, but it's also involved in extension - when the leg is behind. In a backwards walkovers - she bends back, the leg is in extension and the piriformis is contracted, then the leg will kick over stretching the piriformis which, if it's too tight, will be sore. Would definitely cause pain across both cheeks.

This would be a good stretch to try, and will also stretch out the gluteals which are probably tight too. She demos a basic version, and then a progression. I find the progression version to be most effective and stable.



I am studying to be a soft tissue specialist right now so like @Mamarazzi, I would also recommend some deep tissue sports massage if at all possible. A bit tough because she's such a young athlete, but if you find a willing therapist then there is PLENTY of good work that can be done through a towel, avoiding the therapist being hands on. Ice is good too - alleviates pain, and reduces inflammation. Bag of frozen peas, for 15mins after training, make sure she moves it around the sore area, not holding it on one place.

Please do let me know if the piriformis stretch helps her, or not at all! It is all an education for me

 

[Gemma]

You haven't mentioned her complaining of any back pain? Which for me would initially rule out Sciatica, stress fracture, L-spine damage, disc problem. Not to say that isn't possible, but I would be inclined to look elsewhere first and come back to that if still at a loss.

Could possibly be a tight piriformis muscle? It's a small muscle, deep inside the bum/hip joint. It sits across the sciatic nerve and when tight, can often be the cause of sciatic type pain. However you haven't mentioned your daughter complaining of shooting/tingling pains down the legs which is a good sign. It's a lateral rotator, so when it contracts it turns the leg out from parallel, but it's also involved in extension - when the leg is behind. In a backwards walkovers - she bends back, the leg is in extension and the piriformis is contracted, then the leg will kick over stretching the piriformis which, if it's too tight, will be sore. Would definitely cause pain across both cheeks.

This would be a good stretch to try, and will also stretch out the gluteals which are probably tight too. She demos a basic version, and then a progression. I find the progression version to be most effective and stable.



I am studying to be a soft tissue specialist right now so like @Mamarazzi, I would also recommend some deep tissue sports massage if at all possible. A bit tough because she's such a young athlete, but if you find a willing therapist then there is PLENTY of good work that can be done through a towel, avoiding the therapist being hands on. Ice is good too - alleviates pain, and reduces inflammation. Bag of frozen peas, for 15mins after training, make sure she moves it around the sore area, not holding it on one place.

Please do let me know if the piriformis stretch helps her, or not at all! It is all an education for me

Thank you so much! This is great info---she is already asleep but we will start trying this stretch in the morning. The PT showed us one similar to this, but not quite the same. She has no other back pain and no shooting pain down her legs---and that is exactly how she describes the pain, deep in the middle and across. I will keep you posted, thanks again!!

 

[Gemma]

You haven't mentioned her complaining of any back pain? Which for me would initially rule out Sciatica, stress fracture, L-spine damage, disc problem. Not to say that isn't possible, but I would be inclined to look elsewhere first and come back to that if still at a loss.

Could possibly be a tight piriformis muscle? It's a small muscle, deep inside the bum/hip joint. It sits across the sciatic nerve and when tight, can often be the cause of sciatic type pain. However you haven't mentioned your daughter complaining of shooting/tingling pains down the legs which is a good sign. It's a lateral rotator, so when it contracts it turns the leg out from parallel, but it's also involved in extension - when the leg is behind. In a backwards walkovers - she bends back, the leg is in extension and the piriformis is contracted, then the leg will kick over stretching the piriformis which, if it's too tight, will be sore. Would definitely cause pain across both cheeks.

This would be a good stretch to try, and will also stretch out the gluteals which are probably tight too. She demos a basic version, and then a progression. I find the progression version to be most effective and stable.



I am studying to be a soft tissue specialist right now so like @Mamarazzi, I would also recommend some deep tissue sports massage if at all possible. A bit tough because she's such a young athlete, but if you find a willing therapist then there is PLENTY of good work that can be done through a towel, avoiding the therapist being hands on. Ice is good too - alleviates pain, and reduces inflammation. Bag of frozen peas, for 15mins after training, make sure she moves it around the sore area, not holding it on one place.

Please do let me know if the piriformis stretch helps her, or not at all! It is all an education for me

@FlyHighUK, she did this stretch before cheer tonight and her eyes popped open and she said, "ooooooo!!!" She felt it right where it has been hurting and said it is the best stretch of all! I'll see how she felt at cheer when she gets home, but wanted to thank you for taking the time to post this stretch--it's a keeper!!

 

[FlyHighUK]

@FlyHighUK, she did this stretch before cheer tonight and her eyes popped open and she said, "ooooooo!!!" She felt it right where it has been hurting and said it is the best stretch of all! I'll see how she felt at cheer when she gets home, but wanted to thank you for taking the time to post this stretch--it's a keeper!!

Oh that's great news! I love this stretch too. Yes please, do let me know how she gets on. If it is the piriformis, might take a few days to lengthen out.

And no problem, happy to help

 

[Twinklestars]

I am going to try this later today. I have a tight pirifomis on my left side. Sneezing, coughing, any sharp or quick movements are excruciating.


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[Mom2Cheergirls]

Was watching Dr. Oz yesterday and they said this muscle has a lot to do with back issues in general. Going to try it for myself and see if it helps with my other back pain.

 

[Twinklestars]

I can definitely feel a difference. If only I could remember to stretch it daily!


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