SupremeA deep ache in your buttock?
Sitting through a meeting, a drive or a film turns into a slow burn deep in one cheek. Sometimes it creeps down the back of your thigh. You've sat on a tennis ball more times than you can count. The piriformis is small, deep and very good at holding on.
Nick Monczakowski 4.9 from 74 Google reviews · 13+ years
Piriformis or your back?
They can feel alike. These are general patterns, not a diagnosis. Nick's assessment helps work out which it is and he'll point you to your GP if it looks like it's coming from your spine.
Deep buttock pain
Mostly in the buttock and worse sitting or on stairs. It may travel down the back of the thigh.
Little or no back pain
Your lower back feels fine. It's the buttock that aches.
Pain into the calf or foot
Pain, numbness or tingling running below the knee into the calf or foot more often comes from the lower back.
Back pain too
Pain that's worse bending, coughing or sneezing often points to the spine.
Small muscle. Bad position.
Sitting squashes it.
Sitting puts pressure straight onto the piriformis. Hours a day and it stays irritated.
It covers for your glutes.
When the bigger glutes are weak or switched off, the piriformis works overtime to steady your hip as you walk and run.
The sciatic nerve runs right past it.
When the muscle is tight, the nerve beside it can get irritated and send pain down your leg.
Deep glutes, done properly.
Piriformis & deep rotators
Slow, targeted pressure on the small rotators deep in the buttock.
Glute medius & max
Releasing the bigger glutes and getting them working takes load off the piriformis.
Hamstrings
Often tight alongside and adds to the pull at the back of the thigh.
Lower back & SI area
Checked and treated so the whole area moves well together.
Sitting, running or both.
Runners
Hills and speed work load the deep hip. Massage for runners →
Cyclists
Hours in the saddle with the hip bent.
Drivers
Sitting all day, often on a wallet in the back pocket. Driver stiffness →
Desk workers
Sitting on it all day, often with legs crossed.
Footballers
Kicking, twisting and changing direction.
Parents
Carrying on one hip, plus lots of sitting.
Comfortable again. In their words.
“I was recommended Nick whilst suffering chronic back pain and associated sciatica in both legs… After 2 and a bit months I'm pain free and able to walk and do yoga classes again.”
Holly · Back pain & sciatica“I always felt the relief and improvements following the sessions. To a point where now I don't feel those issues I used to.”
Tomas · Client for years“Has been great for me not only helping me heal but also helping me to understand how to fix it and how it happened.”
Gabriel · Google reviewPiriformis myths. Busted.
“Sitting on a ball will fix it.”
Tap to flip →It can ease it for a while. Without freeing the hip and waking up the glutes, it comes back.
“It's definitely sciatica.”
Tap to flip →Piriformis pain can feel a lot like sciatica. The cause and the treatment differ, which is why a proper assessment matters.
“I'll stop running until it goes.”
Tap to flip →Rest calms it down. It doesn't fix tight rotators or sleepy glutes, so it often returns when you start again.
One hour. Sit comfortably again.
- 01
Talk
Where it hurts, how far it travels and what makes it worse.
- 02
Assess
Hands-on assessment of the glutes, hips and lower back to work out where it's coming from.
- 03
Treat
Deep, careful release of the piriformis and the muscles around it.
- 04
Plan
Stretches and glute exercises that fit your day, plus an honest view on sessions.
Before you book for piriformis pain.
Can sports massage help piriformis syndrome?
Yes. Targeted release of the piriformis and deep hip rotators, plus the glutes and hamstrings around them, usually eases the deep buttock ache and any pain down the leg.
How do I know if it's piriformis or sciatica from my back?
They can feel alike. Piriformis pain usually sits deep in the buttock and is worse sitting. Pain below the knee, numbness in the foot or back pain that's worse bending more often comes from the spine. Nick's assessment helps tell them apart and he'll refer you if needed.
Why is it worse when I sit?
Sitting presses directly on the piriformis and keeps the hip in a position that tightens it. That's why long drives and meetings make it flare.
How many sessions will I need?
Most people improve clearly within 3 to 4 sessions, alongside a couple of stretches and glute exercises.
Where is the practice?
Beverley Road, New Malden KT3 4AW. About a 10-minute walk from New Malden station with free street parking nearby. Open Monday to Friday, 11am to 7pm.
When to see your GP first
Call 999 or go to A&E straight away if you have numbness around your bottom or genitals, problems peeing or controlling your bowels, or weakness in both legs.
Call NHS 111 or see your GP before booking if you have buttock or leg pain with any of these:
- Numbness or weakness in your leg or foot that's getting worse
- Pain in both legs at once
- Pain that's severe at night and doesn't ease
- Leg pain with a fever or feeling unwell
Not sure? WhatsApp Nick a quick description first. If massage isn't the right first step, he'll tell you before you book.
Deep hip pain has neighbours.
Sit through the film again.
- £80 first session, assessment included
- Mon–Fri 11am–7pm
- Near New Malden station · free street parking
- Personal reply from Nick, usually same day
“I've learned that you need to be consistent to get a results, it is definitely not happening over one session.”