Pain in the buttocks

Many people are familiar with back pain, but often they actually get stuck Pain in the buttocks behind. Since the pain can radiate, the original focus is often recognized late and then treated accordingly.

What is buttock pain?

Buttock pain can be of varying intensity. Many people are familiar with the sharp pain when walking, bending over or sitting, which can radiate from the buttocks to the thighs.

At the beginning, the pain often only occurs when exercising; later, severe pain attacks also occur when you are at rest, especially in the early morning. The intensity of the pain is reminiscent of sciatica, and sometimes the pain in the buttocks is even indirectly triggered by the sciatic nerve. A large gluteus muscle runs just above the sciatic nerve.

If this is enlarged due to inflammatory processes, direct irritation of the sciatic nerve can arise and lead to severe pain. During office work and wrong posture, muscular complaints are very common.

The gluteal muscle is heavily stressed in many activities, regardless of whether it is running, sitting, walking or standing, without the piriformis muscle the usual daily movements would not be possible. Irritation, inflammation or overuse are not uncommon due to the daily stress, so buttocks pain and back pain have now become a widespread disease.

causes

Pain in the buttocks can be centered at just one point or it can spread over large parts of the lower back. The symptoms are often misinterpreted, and it is not uncommon for buttock pain to be interpreted as sciatica and treated accordingly.

In fact, there is a muscle deep in the buttocks, the so-called piriformis muscle, which can be seen as the cause of the discomfort. This muscle runs over the sacrum to the thigh bone, which often explains how the pain is transmitted to the leg. Immediately below the piriformis muscle is the sciatic nerve, one reason why buttock pain is so often diagnosed as a sciatica.

The gluteal muscles are used in almost every form of movement, but also when sitting. If this muscle is overused or injured, it swells, which in turn puts pressure on the sciatic nerve. The result is a burning pain in the buttocks that radiates to the lower back and often to the leg.

Another cause of pain in the buttocks can be the hip joint, also known as the sacroiliac joint. Often these types of symptoms occur after injuries to the tailbone or hip. Overloading the hip bone during exercise can also lead to pain in the buttocks.

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Diseases with this symptom

• Bedsores (bedsores)

• sciatica

• ISG syndrome

Diagnosis & course

Before going to the doctor, many people try to treat the pain in the buttocks themselves with pain relievers. This can relieve the symptoms in the short term, but the cause remains. At first, the pain occurs only sporadically with movement and exertion, but the condition quickly improves at rest.

As the disease progresses, the pain gets worse and can no longer be completely suppressed with painkillers. Most of those affected see a doctor now at the latest. He will first inquire about the progression of the complaints and then get an impression using imaging procedures.

As a rule, MRI or CT scans are preferred over X-ray examinations because a better diagnosis is possible. If left untreated, the pain in the buttocks would worsen and those affected would limit everyday life. Once the diagnosis has been made, however, appropriate therapy is quickly initiated so that the patient has a good chance of recovery.

Complications

Buttock pain may be associated with sore muscles, poor posture, sciatic pain, and herniated discs. Buttock pain can also be accompanied by inflammatory pain associated with Bechterew's disease - a rheumatic disease. The chronic disease can stiffen the spine.

Buttock pain can also be related to an abscess. The abscess develops from a bacterial infection in the spine or intestinal area. An injection into the gluteal muscle can also trigger an abscess. In addition to this purulent inflammatory process, the patient may suffer from a fever.

Pain in the buttocks can also indicate a coccyx fistula - especially if the pain is severe. A coccyx fistula is a granuloma that can form around an ingrown hair. Patients with coccyx fistula may not be able to sit or walk properly and may feel generally uncomfortable. Surgical intervention is usually necessary.

Buttock pain may also be related to bleeding in the gluteal muscles. This occurs especially in people with increased bleeding tendencies and injuries to the buttocks. Gluteal pain can also be associated with fibromyalgia syndrome, which is often difficult to treat.

When should you go to the doctor?

Sudden pain in the buttocks always requires a medical evaluation. A visit to the doctor is particularly advisable if symptoms repeatedly occur that increase in intensity over the course of the day. If the buttock pain is associated with other symptoms, a doctor must be consulted for further clarification. Side effects such as chills and fever indicate a bacterial infection, which may already have formed an abscess in the buttock region that must be removed immediately.

Tiredness and exhaustion indicate fibromyalgia that requires treatment. If the pain mainly occurs after lying down, a doctor should also be consulted. There may be inflammation of the spine (ankylosing spondylitis), which, if left untreated, can lead to permanent bone damage. If you suspect a pinched nerve, you should speak to your doctor in order to avoid unpleasant secondary diseases such as piriformis syndrome. Buttock pain after an accident or fall should be clarified immediately and treated if necessary. If you experience severe pain that affects essential bodily functions, we recommend going to the emergency room.

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Treatment & Therapy

Treatment for buttock pain depends on the cause. At the beginning the pain is usually harmless, occurs only rarely and disappears again at the latest after taking a commercially available painkiller.

But the cause cannot be remedied with such self-medication, so going to the doctor is absolutely advisable. The best way to determine what causes buttock pain is through an imaging examination. MRI or computed tomography are better suited than X-rays because they give the doctor a better insight.

If minor injuries to the gluteal muscles are causing the pain, the best treatment options are rest and cooling. The injured region should be cooled with ice packs. Once the injuries have healed, the pain will usually go away completely.

Permanent overuse of the glutes can be caused by poor posture. In this case, physiotherapy is the method of choice to relieve the symptoms. In this case, the pain in the buttocks can only be alleviated by consistently avoiding bad posture and excessive strain.

If a strain of the glutes is responsible for the pain, heat will help relieve the symptoms. In these cases, heat ointments or plasters are ideal for treatment, as they allow the muscles to relax and the pain to subside. Continuous training of the glutes can also alleviate the symptoms. Corresponding instructions or training methods are shown to those affected during physiotherapy.

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prevention

Bad posture and incorrect movements are very often the cause of buttock pain. In order to avoid improper stress on the gluteal muscle in the first place, some precautionary measures should be observed even with everyday movements.

Lifting heavy objects, bending down frequently and exercising without warming up beforehand are the main reasons for improper stress on the gluteal muscle, in addition to sitting at the computer for too long. Such complaints can often be remedied with a few changes in everyday life. When a heavy load needs to be lifted, many people bend forward with their upper bodies and then lift the weight.

This creates an overload of the gluteal muscle. Large loads should always be lifted from the knees, first kneeling, then lifting the load with the strength of the legs protects the glutes and the back. When exercising, the muscles should always be warmed up beforehand, as otherwise painful strains can occur, including in the gluteal muscle.

Sitting at a desk for long periods of time can also overload the gluteal muscles. If you are sitting for a longer period of time, it is recommended to stand up once in between, loosen up your muscles and then continue to work.

You can do that yourself

Various self-measures and home remedies can help with pain in the buttocks. Discomfort as a result of hemorrhoids or minor injuries can be alleviated by rest and cooling. In the case of strains, however, heat helps, for example in the form of heat ointments, hot baths or warm compresses. In addition, the glutes should be strengthened through regular exercise.

A permanent overuse of the gluteal muscle can be counteracted through physiotherapy or yoga. In acute cases it helps to turn the office chair over and lean against it with a pillow between the back and stomach. Stretching exercises also bring relief. The spine in particular should be trained regularly to strengthen the pelvis and buttocks. If the buttock pain is caused by a wound, it is advisable to see a doctor. In addition, the symptoms can be alleviated through increased intimate hygiene and the protection of the affected area.

Pain-relieving home remedies such as chamomile tea or applications with tea tree oil and sage promise quick help. If the pain is severe, antibiotics and other drugs from the pharmacy will help. Bed rest and regular walks often help to relieve pain in the buttocks. Massages also promise quick relief, especially pressure point massages for the buttocks area or Ayurveda massages, which stabilize the flow of energy in the body.