Since Monday, the left side of my erectors has been feeling really tight. Theres a tingly feeling that runs down my left glute, left side of my left hamstring, and the outside of my left calve whenever I bend over. It feels like all those muscles are really tight all at once. And the tightness is so bad in the outside of my calves that I can't extend my hamstring when I'm bent over. My knees have to stay bent. I've been stretching out my piriformis, lower back, hamstrings, calves, and hip flexors but the tightness is never completely gone and comes back in the morning. I've also been foam rolling my glutes hamstrings and calves. I read online it could be Sciatic Nerve Pain or Piriformis Syndrome.

Any ideas about what's going on and stretches to fix this?

Not sure how much help this will provide but ...

 

http://www.drnickcampos.com/health-newsletter/PiriformisSyndrome.html

Hey @Ohawkey, have you checked out anything else? Have you seen anyone yet?

Really in depth article. Thanks Gerald!

My twin's father-n-law and his brother-n-law are both chiropractor's that helped me when I was dealing with my lower back pain a few weeks back. Turned out my hip flexors were and are still a bit of a problem for me. I agree with @scott_herman though .. if it persists I'd go see someone ... and if you see a general physician don't let them use their default answer of here is a script for anti-inflamitory and pain meds ... make them actually back up their diagnosis. I went through several general physcians last 2 years til I found one that actually worked for their pay. I refuse to be put on pain meds - that is NOT the answer.

If you do end up going to see someone I'd recommend trying to find a good PT. Any good doctor would just refer you to a PT in this situation anyway.

 

Also, for any low back issue, or something more similar to your situation, I like to take a lacrosse ball to the glutes. Just get a lacrosse ball, get up against a wall and work around the curve of the hip bone. You can also get down to the piriformis with it. For the hips the lacrosse ball just does an overall better job than a foam roller.

 

Anyway, that's my go to move back/hips stuff. Try it out.

Thanks man! I tried using the ball last night, felt really good. Is a PT more beneficial than a chiropractor for my problem?

Hmm, that's a tough call. I think it might really come down to the source of the problem and the knowledge of the practioner. I'm a massage therapist, and generally speaking I like PT for bodywork because I believe strengthening is the true key to long term success. As far as I know, only PTs can help you in that regard when it comes to rehab. As a massage therapist, I can know exactly how someone needs to strengthen their body to get better, but I can't legally tell them. A PT, on the other hand, would be able to give you specifics on both strengthening and stretching to get the best results.

 

With all that said, sometimes I just go get a massage and that alone does the trick. And, there's my plug for massage therapy.