Many individuals experience pain in the buttocks. There are a lot of factors that can cause this condition. It is important to be aware that butt pain may just be a fleeting feeling or may be a symptom of a more serious health condition that needs immediate medical attention.
The most common causes of buttocks pain are hours of prolonged sitting, such as working at a computer or even driving while sitting on lopsided car seats. Activities that involve twisting or turning of the torso, such as golf, and strain caused by a fall may also result to pain in the buttocks. This discomfort can happen to almost anyone regardless of age, weight, sex, or physical and health condition.
Causes of Buttocks Pain
The following are the most common buttocks pain presentations.
• Piriformis syndrome – overuse of the piriformis muscle located in the deeper part of the buttocks
• Sacro-iliac joint/ligament pain – injured or inflamed ligaments in the sacro-iliac joint
• Ilio-lumbar ligament – injury from the ligament located from the base of the spine towards the waist
• Referral from the lumbar spine – posture problem
How to Prevent Pain in the Buttocks
Analogous with almost all medical conditions, it is essential for people to live a healthy lifestyle to avoid unnecessary discomfort and pain. Some methods of prevention include the following:
Proper hydration: Pain is oftentimes caused by poor hydration of the body. As water is the fuel which allows us to work more, water is needed to keep our body on the go.
Exercise and stretching: Stretching before doing rough physical activity is necessary to avoid straining the muscles and ligaments in the butt area.
Stress Reduction: Several issues in our personal life that may cause stress include family, money, and work concerns. Stress results in butt pain since it brings unconscious tension to the muscles in that area.
Posture correction: Avoid sitting for long periods of time. It is always best to move around and get some exercise.
Addressing Pain in the Buttocks
Modern medicine has suggested several treatment methods to address buttocks pain. However, these treatment methods often provide only temporary relief from the pain because they do not address the root of the problem. According to medical experts, prolotherapy is considered as the most direct treatment to address the origin of butt pain. It involves injecting a solution that strengthens the tissue and helps patients avoid musculoskeletal pain.
Nevertheless, as the old saying goes, “Prevention is better than cure”. It is best that we try to avoid the factors that cause butt pain before it worsens. Always make sure that you follow your doctor’s advice of eating nutritious foods that help strengthen the muscles and ligaments. Moreover, make sure that you keep your body hydrated always by drinking lots of fluids. Lastly, it is also important to exercise regularly, but with proper stretching first.
Having pain in the buttocks can be uncomfortable and is a difficult problem to recover from. If a person suffers from this condition persistently, it is highly advised that he or she visits a specialist for professional help such that the appropriate action can be taken. This may involve physical therapy, employing correct relaxation techniques, taking in effective medication and applying deep massages to alleviate the pain.
