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Hip Pain
8 min read5 Signs Your Piriformis Pain Is More Serious Than You Think
FFC
By the Doctors of Flintridge Family Chiropractic
Team chiropractors for USWNT, LAFC & LA Galaxy · 50+ years combined experience
Not sure if your piriformis pain needs a doctor? Our La Cañada Flintridge chiropractors walk through the warning signs that mean it's time to get checked.
Most cases of piriformis pain are frustrating but not dangerous. That said, there are specific patterns we take seriously — and if any of these apply to you, don't wait.
The piriformis is a small muscle deep in the buttock. When it gets tight, it can irritate the sciatic nerve running underneath it and mimic sciatica.
The Red Flags
- Pain that wakes you up at night and doesn't ease with position change.
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness that's spreading or getting worse.
- Loss of bowel or bladder control, or new numbness in the saddle area — this is a rare emergency, go to the ER.
- Fever, unexplained weight loss, or night sweats alongside the pain.
- Pain that's steadily worsening over weeks despite rest and self-care.
The Yellow Flags Worth Getting Checked
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Call (818) 707-5724 or book online. Same-week appointments in La Cañada Flintridge — serving Pasadena, Glendale, La Crescenta, Montrose, Burbank, and Altadena.
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