Buttocks pain from a herniated disc is one theory used to explain often severe symptoms in the postural muscles, including the large gluteal structures that help to keep the body upright on the legs. Since these crucial soft tissues are innervated by the nerves of the lower back, it is certainly possible that a bulging disc can affect the entire region, enacting painful expressions from both pinched nerves and central spinal stenotic change.
However, it is important to understand that herniated and degenerated discs in the lumbar spine are virtually universal. Many exist without causing any symptoms whatsoever. Research shows no direct correlation between disc issues and the occurrence of chronic pain. Meanwhile, many patients have terrible symptoms, but no structural issues to blame. It is for this reason that herniations in the lumbar spine must never be accepted blindly as the source of buttocks pain, unless they can be verified as the definitive source through nerve conduction testing.
The scope of this essay will delve into the common patient complaint of buttocks pain and investigate the possible links to the most prevalent forms of disc abnormalities in the lower back.
Buttocks Pain from a Herniated Disc Considerations
Herniated disc buttocks pain may exist alone or in combination with lower back and/or leg pain. A significant herniated disc in the lumbar spine might impinge on the entire cauda equina structure, enacting symptoms through the process of spinal stenosis.
A herniation might also block one or more of the openings through which the nerve roots leave the spinal column. This event is called foraminal stenosis.
Finally, chemical radiculitis may occur if a ruptured disc spills nucleus proteins onto sensitive nerve tissue.
Remember, the only way for any herniation to enact symptoms is through neurological involvement. If no nerve tissue is affected, then the disc will be innocent of causing any pain.
Other reasons for buttocks pain to occur might not be related to any coincidental disc degeneration or herniation. The most common causes of these symptoms includes: piriformis syndrome, sacroiliac joint pain and regional ischemia enacted by the mindbody process.
Herniated Disc Buttocks Pain Therapy
The buttocks muscles are a crucial component of the postural musculature. They are among the strongest in the body and are generally very resistant to injury. However, when deprived of oxygen or proper nerve signal, these muscles can produce a battery of uncomfortable or even debilitating symptoms. Finding adequate relief form these painful complaints may require professional treatment in some instances. The actual therapy options used will depend greatly upon the unique symptomatic pattern of the condition, as well as the specific diagnosis explaining the buttocks pain from a herniated disc.
Regardless, herniated disc treatment should always begin with conservative care approaches and only advance to include more risky and possibly invasive herniated disc surgery modalities if there is no other option.
Every patient should consider attempting to use alternative medicine for herniated discs to make sure there are no psychoemotional issues causing or perpetuating existing pain syndromes. This is especially important if the pain only began after the diagnosis was made. This is a common programmed response called the nocebo effect.
Buttocks Pain from a Herniated Disc Summary
I endured some of the worst of my symptoms in the buttocks region. At times, I felt as if there was some powerful force pushing my pelvis forward from the inside, placing huge pressure on my lower spinal area and buttocks muscles. This pain was unbearable and often brought me to a state of complete disability. I understand the agony of postural pain and how it can make even the simplest tasks seem virtually impossible to accomplish.
I highly recommend learning everything possible about your specific diagnosis, in order to prevent yourself from suffering the same fate as I did. I was misdiagnosed by many care providers, including some of the best orthopedic surgeons and chiropractors in the area. No one seemed to be able to fix my bad back and with time, the reasons for the complete medical failure became obvious.
I recommend questioning the diagnosis of any chronic painful syndrome which has been blamed on a structural condition, yet has resisted all attempts at therapy. There is a good chance that the spinal abnormality being blamed for the pain is innocent and that the symptoms might be the result of a completely different physical or psychosomatic source. This holds true in many cases where herniations are coincidental to pain in the buttocks, legs and feet.
Warning: Central spinal stenosis in the neck can cause similar symptomatic expressions to lumbar herniation in some patients. In many cases, this stenosis change is not discovered until a plethora of unnecessary treatments for a coincidental lumbar disc condition have been endured. Always be sure that cervical stenosis is not a possible diagnostic explanation before undergoing any drastic or surgical approach to care.
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