I've just been diagnosed with this as well. I have some spinal degeneration but nothing that would indicate the numbness and loss of reflex I'm having in my heel. My physiatrist thinks it must be piriformis.

She mentioned myofascial release therapy/massage. Anybody tried that?

I've already been through lots of PT and it seems to either not help or make it worse -- stretching in particular.

Can the sensation and reflex in my heel come back, or are they permanently gone?

The only kind of exercise I can do anymore is pool walking or aerobics. Even walking down the block is too painful. I used to walk every day, and this is very very frustrating.

Yes, and under the right circumstances, it can work great. It's important to get a good certified myofascial triggerpoint therapist - not just a PT who thinks they know what they're doing. The right training and experience make all the difference. Of course I can't make any promises; I'm not a doctor, and I don't know your particulars, but if your symptoms are caused by the piriformis muscle being in spasm, myofascial release may release that spasm and ease the pressure on the nerves. It may work for a long time, or temporarily (a few days) but the therapist should be able to show you how to help yourself if/when it happens again. It will hurt like cuss when they're doing it, and be sore afterward, and it will involve some stretching, but if it works (and IMO it's definitely worth a try) it'll be worth it.

http://www.myofascialtherapy.org/

Doc

Darn it. There is not a single one in my state listed on that website. x-(

Dr. Russ Schierling in Mountain View, Missouri can treat PS in a non-surgical treatment. Please do yourself a favor and contact him to see if he can help you. Here's his website:

destroychronicpain.wordpress.com

Hello,

I wanted to get any feedback on your experience with Dr. Schierling. I have read his website and will be calling his office on Monday. Did you see him? What was your experience? No answer is too short! I love details and your intuition.

I have longstanding Thoracic Outlet Syndrome or TOS ( on list of his treatments) and have had 4 surgeries for the condition. 20 years of pain. Some associated with TOS, some I"m not convinced is from the surgery, stress, chronic pain. I have had every treatment you can imagine. P.T., Accupuncture, trigger point, botox, dry needling, TENS unit, biofeedback, Feldenkrais ( which I liked), Blah.. blah.... blah...... etc.......

I am at my wits end with chronic pain.

I live in Southern California - 100 miles north of Los Angeles- so I would like to find a practitioner in my area but I'm not sure if there is one. I would rather travel and spend the money on the air ticket then spend it going to practitioners that don't/can't help me.

Please let me know your thoughts.

Thank you
MarcB

I don't know what the particulars are with that organization. My therapist is a listed member, but she was not always listed, so it may be possible that there are certified therapists in your state who don't belong to that organization, or for some reason aren't listed. ($?)

You might try phone directories, Google: myofascial trigger point therapist [your state] and ask the physiatrist who mentioned it (she may know one, or have her staff find one for you).

Doc

Yep, the physiatrist referred me to PT for myofascial release and had me download an iPhone app called Trigger Point that I can play with at home if I want. She's also sending me for pool therapy and core strengthening. She thinks that most of my pain is related to myofascial muscle spasm, though.

That's actually (IMO) good news - very good news relative to what else it could be!

Here's hoping it works as well for you as it does for us!
(You know where to find us for support. )

Doc