Buttock‑to‑Leg Pain When Sitting? Piriformis Sciatica Explained

Do these sound familiar?

• Deep buttock pain with shooting/tingling down the leg

• Worse on firm chairs, long drives or prolonged sitting

• Tender deep glute; pain on stairs, running or long standing

• Urgent: new/progressive leg weakness, bowel/bladder change, numbness in the saddle area, fever or major trauma → see your GP/NHS 111 or A&E. (see page 2) 

What’s the problem—disc or piriformis? (see page 3) 

Pattern	Disc‑related sciatica	Piriformis‑related sciatica
Pain origin	Low back + leg radiation	Buttock‑centred, minimal low back pain
Cause	Nerve compression from disc prolapse	Deep piriformis muscle compresses sciatic nerve
Clues	Cough/sneeze pain, spinal movements provoke	Worse with sitting, pressure in glutes; FAIR/Pace tests reproduce pain (see page 5)

Why it keeps coming back (see pages 4–5)

• Prolonged sitting (“wallet sciatica”), training errors, weak glutes/posture → piriformis spasm → sciatic nerve irritation → pain/inflammation → more guarding.

• Breaking the cycle = relax piriformis → strengthen glutes → restore neural mobility; rest alone rarely works.

Our 4‑part plan (what we do at J&J)

1. HCPC‑led physiotherapy assessment & rehabPrecise diagnosis, movement tests (incl. FAIR/Pace as indicated), and a targeted programme to prevent recurrence. (East‑meets‑West approach; led by HCPC‑registered physio.) 

2. Therapeutic Massage (clinical manual therapy)Deep trigger‑point release, myofascial work and assisted stretching to relax the piriformis and surrounding glutes; intensity tailored to comfort.

3. Radial Shockwave (ESWT) when appropriateBroad acoustic waves boost circulation and calm stubborn myofascial trigger points—ideal when pain lingers despite rest. (Non‑invasive; quick to apply.) (See “Radial Shockwave Therapy” in our sessions guide.) 

4. Adjunct electro‑modalities for comfort & healingUltrasound and/or TENS may be added to reduce irritation, ease spasm and maintain post‑treatment relief; pneumatic compression supports recovery where swelling/fatigue exist.

This integrated pathway—assessment → manual release → exercise coaching → adjunct tech—reflects the model on page 6 of our Instagram guide.

Who will treat you?Sessions are overseen by an HCPC‑registered physiotherapist and delivered together with experienced Korean clinical therapists (backgrounds in hospital MSK care). (See team credentials.) We’ve delivered shockwave therapies for 9+ years—experience matters for stubborn, long‑standing pain. (see page 7) 

At‑home quick wins (until your visit)

• Avoid sitting on a wallet/hard edge; use a softer seat pad.

• Little‑and‑often walking; alternate sitting/standing every 20–30 minutes.

• Gentle nerve glides and glute activation your physio prescribes—avoid forcing stretches into pain. (We’ll teach you the exact routine in session.)

Popular combinations & packages (New Malden clinic)

(Packages = 5+1 sessions; current clinic pricing below.) 

Service	Single	5+1 Package
Therapeutic Massage (1.5h) + Radial Shockwave	£170	£850
Therapeutic Massage (1h) + Radial Shockwave	£140	£700
Therapeutic Massage (30m) + Radial Shockwave	£115	£575

Booking & cancellation follow our simple 24‑hour policy.

Ready to move, sit and sleep without that burn?

Opening hours: Mon–Sun 9:00–19:20. Call/WhatsApp: 07882 943540 (main, AI‑assisted), 07935 869938 (text, EN&KR). Email: info@jjwellcare.com Web: JJTHERAPY365.com (see page 8).

FAQ

Q1. How many sessions will I need?Most feel relief within a few sessions; persistent cases need a short course combining manual therapy, exercises and (where indicated) radial shockwave. We reassess continuously and tailor the plan.

Q2. Is shockwave painful?It’s brief and generally well‑tolerated. Intensity is adjusted to comfort, and it’s non‑surgical with minimal downtime.

Q3. Can you check if mine is disc‑related?Yes—your HCPC physio differentiates disc vs piriformis using history, movement tests and neurological screening; urgent “red flags” trigger GP/A&E referral. (see pages 2–3)