Buttocks pain - causes of pain in the buttocks

Pain on the butt

Buttocks pain is very common, but is usually perceived by those affected as back pain or low back pain, as it is generally assumed that the butt begins only where the buttock fold begins - instead, the gluteal muscles begin at the top of the pelvis. Due to this assumption and presumably also out of a sense of shame, sufferers rarely speak directly from pain in the buttocks. In addition, while pain may arise in this area, but also radiate into the back, so that the source of pain can often be recognized and treated late.

contents

• Pain on the butt
• Symptoms: Symptoms of buttocks pain
• Causes of pain in the buttocks
• Buttocks pain in case of irritation of the sciatic nerve
• Inflammatory rheumatic diseases
• Other causes of a headache
• Treatment options for buttocks pain
• Therapy for ankylosing spondylitis
• Naturopathy for buttocks pain
• Prevention of buttocks pain

Symptoms: Symptoms of buttocks pain

Many sufferers experience a piercing or stinging pain when walking, sitting, or stooping, which can be centered at just one point as well as stretch over much of the lower back or even the thighs. While the buttocks pain in many cases initially occur only in stressful situations, later on, even in periods of rest - often especially in the morning after a long period of lying - severe symptoms. The pain in the buttocks is of varying intensity, often reminiscent of sciatic pain, although in some cases the discomfort is actually caused indirectly by the sciatic nerve, as above this nerve there is a large buttock muscle (see Causes of Buttock Pain)..

Buttocks pain can cause significant harm to those affected in everyday life. (Photo: diy13 / fotolia.com)

Causes of pain in the buttocks

Pain in the butt can have many different causes, for example, in many cases, simply a new bicycle saddle that is not yet "retracted" or sometimes too soft or too narrow, causing problems in the seat bones and the attaching here Muscle tendons can come. Also common and relatively undramatic is the classic "muscle soreness" as a result of unaccustomed physical stress such as a hike or prolonged squatting, in addition, it may in sports to strains of the glutes, hip muscles and hamstrings on the ischium come.

However, the most common cause is dysfunction of the body's musculoskeletal system (muscles, tendons and ligaments) caused by chronic overwork. There are various forms of functional causes: On the one hand so-called myofascial pain in the form of tense muscles and tendons can be the trigger for buttocks pain, caused primarily by postural errors or monotonous movements in the profession (hairdressers, assembly line workers, load carriers, etc.) and partly even in the form of palpable hardening (so-called "contraction nodes" or "trigger points") in the musculature are noticeable. However, it must not be forgotten that muscles can also be unevenly loaded by diseases or malformations of the skeleton.

Another functional cause of pain in the buttocks may be the "piriformis syndrome", which is caused by an irritation of the sciatic nerve and results in a radiating from the hip pain, which is similar to a herniated disc, but is causally unrelated.

The name of the syndrome goes back to the piriformis muscle, which exerts or transmits internal or external pressure on the sciatic nerve, causing irritation. This can be caused, for example, by accidents or falls on the buttocks, prolonged, monotonous loading (e.g., endurance running), frequent forward bending, wrong stooping or constant heavy lifting out of a straddle.

A fall on the butt can cause nasty pain. (Image: RioPatuca Images / fotolia.com)

In addition, a blocked cross-iliac joint may be a functional cause of the pain in the buttocks, because disturbances in the interaction of the heavily used ligaments and muscles in the joints between the cross and pelvis (sacroiliac joints, short: ISG) can lead to muscle tension and acute blockages are coming. The trigger for this are usually mechanical factors such. Postural or athletic overuse, but also a unilateral leg shortening, an increased curvature of the spine forward (lordosis) or Gelenkabnutzungen such. a hip joint osteoarthritis.

Buttocks pain in case of irritation of the sciatic nerve

In addition to the functional - mostly "sciatica-like" causes - but also a "real" sciatica (sciatica or Lumboischialgie) can trigger pain in the buttocks. The prerequisite for this, however, is that the sciatic nerve roots are irritated or damaged, resulting in stinging pains in a specific band of skin along the leg, say, where the lateral suture line runs. In addition, there is sometimes a tingling and / or numbness in a specific area of ​​the skin, or even a weakening of certain leg muscles.

Disease of the sciatic nerve is most often caused by a herniated disc, but also diseases such as bony spurs due to spinal cord wear and diseases of the bone system, including metabolic disorders (such as osteoporosis, inflammation, fractures or abscess) may be involved.

Inflammatory rheumatic diseases

In addition to the frequently occurring dysfunctions of the movement and holding organs of the body and the sciatica, inflammatory rheumatic diseases may also be the cause of a headache, albeit much less frequently occurring, in which case the ankylosing spondylitis is of particular importance.

It is an inflammatory disease of the joints, whose exact causes are still unknown, but it probably comes to a kind of malfunction of the immune system. The disease usually occurs between puberty and the 45th year of life and often runs in bouts, i. in the change of partly higher, partly lower disease activity and in the worst (rather rare) case can lead to a complete ossification of the entire spinal column.

Other causes of a headache

Also relatively rarely it comes to pain on the butt as a result of an abscess in the pelvic area, buttocks or thighs, which may be caused for example by an infection in the spine, but also as a result of an injection in the gluteal muscle. In addition, a red, swollen, pimple-like site in the gluteal fold associated with sudden pain may indicate an inflamed coccyx fistula (sinus pilonidalis).

Another possible cause of the condition is so-called fibromyalgia, an incurable disease characterized by chronic pain with varying localization in the musculature, joints and back pain, and a variety of concomitant symptoms.

Due to the variety of possible causes of pain in the buttocks, a careful and differentiated medical clarification is necessary - also in order to include other possible medical conditions in the consideration and to develop a corresponding therapeutic approach.

Treatment options for buttocks pain

If the pain in the buttocks is based on a functional problem, the therapy consists primarily of physiotherapeutic stretching exercises, often supplemented by physical therapy applications such as electrotherapy (current and ultrasound applications) with the aim of relieving muscle tension. From the medical side, if necessary, an analgesic or muscle-relaxing drug (such as acetaminophen) prescribed, for severe pain in conjunction with movement disorders may also be a weak opium preparation (opiate).

If an irritated or damaged sciatic nerve is the cause of the discomfort, physiotherapy and electrotherapy are used in the treatment. (Image: Kzenon / fotolia.com)

In the case of sciatica or lumboischialgie, i. Irritation or damage to the sciatic nerve, are quite different therapeutic approaches, the choice should of course always be made by appropriate professionals on the basis of individual symptoms. So here is e.g. often used the so-called step bearing, which relieves the lower back and is relaxed by angling of the legs of the sciatic nerve. In addition, "sciatica" generally involves physiotherapy and electrotherapy.

In the medical field, traditional drugs are usually used for the inhibition of inflammation and pain, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (short: NSAIDs) (for example aspirin) and cortisone. However, the most effective treatment for lumbo-schizalgia is "periradicular therapy" (PRT), a specific form of syringe therapy in which the appropriate medication reaches the affected nerve roots through local, targeted infiltration. In addition, infiltrations close to the spinal cord, such as the spinal cord, are used. "Epidural infiltration" are used, but due to possible side effects should only be performed under inpatient control.

If the cause of irritation or damage to the sciatic nerve is particularly severe (e.g., a very large herniated disc) and the aforementioned therapeutic measures are inadequate, surgery may be required in some cases to remove the herniated disc and / or dilate the nerve exit holes.

If the cause is an abscess in the pelvis or an abscess caused by injuries, foreign bodies or a syringe, it is in most cases surgically opened and treated in parallel with an antibiotic. In the case of a pelvic abscess, it is also important that the cause of the abscess is clearly defined and treated accordingly.

In a coccyx fistula, the abscess is first split and a rubber tongue inserted so that the pus can drain away, then the fistula system and the abscess cavity are removed surgically. Inflamed or ingrown hair nests are also removed as they are usually the cause of the fistula.

Therapy for ankylosing spondylitis

In the case of ankylosing spondylitis, the most important therapy is regular physiotherapy, which alleviates the pain and keeps the spine flexible and which should be continued independently at home. In addition to physiotherapy, in the inflammatory rheumatic disease from the doctor's side usually prescribed analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which should be taken but because of possible side effects such as gastric bleeding or renal failure never over a long period.

In addition to sulfasalazine or methotrexate is often used, but usually only when the shoulder, hip or knee joints are severely affected by the disease. In addition, some cortisone-containing drugs are also needed to catch an acute disease spurt.

In cases where drug therapy is insufficient, treatment with radioactivity is sometimes recommended, e.g. in the form of radon heat therapy. In case of intolerance of NSAIDs, a treatment with Radium 224 is used from time to time, which the doctor uses in the form of injections. If ankylosing spondylitis already results in decreased mobility, joint replacement may be necessary.

Myofascial pain can often be alleviated by special physiotherapy. (Image: magann / fotolia.com)

Naturopathy for buttocks pain

Naturopathy, especially in the case of functional causes of pain in the buttocks, offers a series of therapeutic measures which, depending on the case, can be used either as an alternative or in addition to the standard treatment with anti-inflammatory analgesics. Shock wave therapy, for example, has been shown to be very effective in many cases in which high-energy sound waves are directed into the painful areas of the body, so that tensions or pathological changes to muscles, tendons, ligaments, etc. can be specifically eliminated.

Specialized forms of physiotherapy, osteopathy and physical therapy often prove to be extremely useful therapeutic measures for myofascial pain, although these applications are often only possible after a pain therapy. In addition, massages as well as heating or cooling applications also often have a positive effect.

In cases of increased pain and combined musculoskeletal disorders, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), in some cases, provides an alternative medicine supplement to traditional painkillers. An attempt is made to induce a nervous reaction through electrical stimuli, which has a muscle-relaxing, circulation-promoting and pain-inhibiting effect on the affected area.

In addition, naturopathic procedures are also used in many other causes of buttocks pain - for example in the case of fibromyalgia, where there are a variety of treatment options, such as. Self-blood therapy, nutritional therapy, acupuncture or the field of homeopathy.

Especially in homeopathy, however, a comprehensive medical history is very important to find a suitable agent - for example, Arnica, Bryonia, Calcarea, Causticum, or Ledum, Nux vomica or Phosphorus may be indicated for the treatment of fibromyalgia.

A therapy with herbal medicines (phytotherapy), such as Willow bark, devil's claw or frankincense is often helpful in fibromyalgia. To support the therapy, Schüssler salts are suitable, whereby in the context of a basic therapy here usually salts no. 5 (potassium Phosphoricum), 7 (magnesium Phosphoricum) and 3 (Ferrum Phosphoricum) are used.

In order to avoid pain in the buttocks area, it is important to always lift heavy loads and keep your back upright. (Image: C. Schüßler / fotolia.com)

Prevention of buttocks pain

Pain in the buttocks is very often caused by postural damage and incorrect movements. In order to prevent sensible here, some points should already be taken into account in quite everyday movements, because incorrect loading of the buttock muscle arise in particular by heavy lifting, frequent stooping, athletic activity without prior warming up and sitting at the computer for a long time.

A lot can be achieved here with the help of small changes: so heavy loads should always be lifted out of the knees, i. it is first dropped to the knees and then lifted with the power of the legs, whereby buttock muscles and back are considerably spared - in contrast to lifting from a standing position.

During sports, care should always be taken to integrate sufficient warm-up exercises into the training, otherwise the risk of painful strains, even in the area of ​​the buttock muscle, increases massively. Likewise, overstressing this muscle by sitting for a long time can be avoided by occasionally getting up to loosen up the muscles.

Regular exercise should always be an integral part of everyday life - often just a few minutes of exercise on the day enough to feel agile and active. It is advisable to avoid overweight to prevent buttocks pain. Regular intimate hygiene can be helpful in preventing unpleasant skin inflammations such as the pilonidal sinus or a coccyx fistula in the buttocks area. Under certain circumstances, it is also advisable to take action against very luxuriant hair growth (nr, last updated on 8.3.2018)