Radiating neurological pain that goes down the back of the leg is often diagnosed as originating from disc hernias in the lumbar spine; however, there are numerous sites where nerve irritation may produce similar symptoms. One of the most common is in the gluteal region, where the sciatic nerve may get compressed by the piriformis muscle, creating a condition known as piriformis syndrome.

Neurological pain may also be produced in this region by entrapment of other nerves, such as the superior and inferior gluteal nerves. This entrapment is sometimes referred to as piriformis syndrome, as well.

The massage practitioner will need to be thorough when performing an evaluation to identify the tissues at fault. Soft-tissue techniques will be far more effective with a comprehensive assessment. A solid understanding of piriformis syndrome starts by investigating the anatomical relationships in this area.

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