NO! Walking when done consistently is good for the cardiovascular system, but it is NOT always good for Piriformis Syndrome.
Consider these 2 things:
Does walking trigger piriformis syndrome?
If you answered yes. Stop walking. Try to not trigger piriformis syndrome.
If no. Walking does not aggravate the piriformis syndrome. Then walking is good.
There are a common group of characteristics that piriformis syndrome has. That’s what syndrome means, but it applies here to the common things that happen when the piriformis is triggered.
So if you find that walking triggers the conditions surrounding the piriformis muscle.
Stop walking.
Stop picking the wound.
Give it time to heal.
But, if walking does not aggravate piriformis syndrome during or AFTER then you’re safe to walk.
OK, what’s next?
If though you have rested and you still experience your piriformis syndrome you should seek the help of a healthcare professional.
Family Medicine
Your family MD or general doctor will perform a few orthopedic tests to check if you truly have piriformis syndrome and try to differentiate it from a disc problem.
Based on their findings its common to recommend a short course of steroids and general physical therapy.
If you have tried steroids and basic physical therapy you may seek a sports physical therapist of even a chiropractor.
Sports PT and Chiropractors often perform stretches and exercises that the average physical therapist does not.
Check your Yelp reviews or ask around if they know a PT or Chiropractor who works for themselves. You may have to look a little but it will be worth it.
Piriformis syndrome stretches and exercises
That’s a post i need to write. Comment below if you’d like to know some stretches and exercises for piriformis syndrome.
or follow me @ TheanatomyofTherapy on instagram, tiktok and youtube. I also have a podcast somewhere out there you can listen to.