Health Organization for Pudendal Education

Could using an elliptical machine for 30 minutes 3 times a week cause PN? How about PNE?
If it can cause PN would ceasing its use help resolve the PN?

Could doing a big piriformis stretch cause PN? How about PNE?
If it can cause PN could the PN resolve if I cease the stretch?

Thanks.

My PN pain returned after having been almost completely resolved for several years after I placed a massage ball under my piriformis. I suggest stopping both the stretches and the elliptical and seeing what happens, maybe your pain will lessen or resolve. I don't think it is possible to know for sure at this point.

Stephanies

Wanna,

I believe my pn was caused (or, at least triggered) by intense exercising on a step machine. I started a new intense exercise routine in early January and within about 4-6 weeks symptoms gradually developed, and within a few months, I had an intense burning sensation most of the time. So, I agree with Stephanies's recommendation to discontinue both the elliptical and the stretching to see if that helps. My pain declined after I stopped exercising.

April

I too agree with the last two posts. Refrain from doing both. I too have a piriformis problem and I notice that everytime I stretch it or do the elliptical I get a lot worse. For the most part I would suggest just walking. I tried doiing the elliptical for a week straight and I got worse when I did this. Lately I went back to the piriformis stretch and sadly I am in a pretty bad flare. It is strange. No one knows really what the right thing to do for PN is. Stretch to reduce the compression or leave it alone and give the nerve time to heal first. It is really a slippery slope.

I have been battling this for a year and a half now and I still haven't found out what is right. To stretch or not to stretch. That is the question (hmmm, another thread post I suppose).

-Dom

Using the elliptical and stretching made me worse.

Violet

My pain started after heavy lifting last summer and bcame the worst when I did streching of the piriformis.

This is frustrating. Amy Stein's book recommends the deep squats and piriformis stretches. Plus my own pelvic PT said the elliptical would be good for blood flow. Arghhhh!
I now have constant severe vulvar burning (used to be moderate but then went away) and bad burning with urination.

For what it is worth, my approach over the last few months is to try to strengthen my glutes via gentle exercises, with some light stretches between. This was under the assumption that some muscle was tensing to take the load because others were too weak. I think it has helped somewhat, especially with standing for long periods.

Solarmom- Would you tell me what glute exercises and light stretches you were doing? Thanks.

I play tennis three days a week for one and a half to two hours. Been playing serious tennis most of my life. Now I have this PN problem but have not considered that my passion for tennis was a negative factor. Now, should I reconsider one of the things I love as being a cause of my pain?