There are many reasons a person may experience pain in their buttocks when sitting. The causes range from minor injuries and bruises to more severe conditions, such as sciatica and damaged disks.
People spend a lot of time sitting down, and experiencing pain in the buttocks when sitting can cause concern. Pain in this area can be temporary due to a bruise or minor injury, but it can also result from a more serious, long-term condition.
In this article, we discuss possible symptoms and causes of buttock pain, diagnosis, and when a person should seek medical attention.
Symptoms
Symptoms may vary depending on the cause and location of the pain and can include:
- bruising or discoloration
- numbness and tingling
- tingling in the legs
- a sore tailbone (coccyx)
- swelling
- difficulty moving the muscle
- difficulty moving from a sitting to a standing position
Sometimes, the pain may go away on its own. Other times, medical treatment may be necessary.
Causes
There is a variety of reasons a person may experience pain in the buttocks when sitting down.
Conditions that may cause pain in the buttocks include:
Sciatica
Sciatica is a condition that results from compression or obstruction of the sciatic nerves. These are the two largest nerves in the body. They run from the lower spine, through the buttocks, to the knees.
Compressions due to a disk prolapse or the narrowing of the spinal canal can put pressure on the sciatic nerve, causing pain and discomfort. Sciatica can cause shooting pain, tingling, or numbness anywhere from the buttocks to the legs.
People may find that symptoms worsen when they sit for long periods, move, sneeze, or cough. Sciatica often resolves in 4–6 weeks, but sometimes it can last longer.
Treatment may include:
- over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
- exercises and stretches
- heat packs
- physical therapy
- pain relief injections
- a procedure to prevent nerves in the back from sending pain signals
- surgery
Learn more about how sciatica causes buttock pain here.
Piriformis syndrome
The piriformis muscle is a pear-shaped muscle in the buttocks that extends from the base of the spine to the top of the thigh. Piriformis syndrome develops when the piriformis muscle irritates or compresses the sciatic nerve.
According to the National Academy of Sports Medicine, symptoms may include:
- pain in the buttocks
- pain down the back of the leg or thigh
- pain when sitting
- pain when walking up stairs or hills
- reduced motion of the hip joint
Treatment may include:
- OTC pain relievers
- stretches
- gentle exercise
- cold and heat therapy
Learn about nerve flossing exercises to relieve pain from sciatica and piriformis syndrome here.
Coccydynia
The coccyx is the last bone at the bottom of the spine, also known as the tailbone. Coccydynia is the medical name for pain in the tailbone. It can occur if a person injures or strains their coccyx or the surrounding muscles and ligaments.
Common causes of coccydynia may include:
- childbirth
- an injury or accident, such as a fall
- repeated or prolonged strain on the coccyx
- poor posture when sitting
- having overweight or underweight
Symptoms may include:.……. Continue Reading……
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