Piriformis syndrome is a pain in the butt — literally.

At a recent picnic with a group of runners, it was the most commonly mentioned injury, as in "I'm still having that piriformis problem," and "I've been working through this piriformis for months."

It seemed that at least half of that running group had suffered or was currently suffering from this relatively rare neuromuscular condition.

Although rare in the general population, piriformis syndrome, like shinsplints and I.T. band syndrome, are common in runners, especially runners who train long and hard, race often and rest little.

The piriformis is a long muscle that runs from the base of the spine through the pelvis to connect to the top of the thigh bone. This muscle helps you walk or run by controlling hip rotation throughout your stride.

When this muscle deep within the buttocks becomes inflamed, it can irritate your sciatic nerve. As anyone who's suffered with sciatic pain can tell you, it can be very painful and difficult to cure.

Piriformis syndrome usually begins gradually as a dull ache within the pelvis where the hip and buttock meet. An intense workout or a run on sloping surface usually precedes it. Pain can radiate down the leg, but, unlike sciatica, the pain usually doesn't continue past the knee.

If you choose to run through the pain, as most runners do, the situation most likely won't improve. The piriformis remains inflamed and further impinges on the sciatic nerve. It can cause nerve damage if left untreated.

The first step in curing piriformis syndrome is to get an accurate diagnosis. Many conditions, including hip bursitis, sciatica, low-grade arthritis or a stress fracture, can produce pain in the same general area.

Rest is the preferred treatment for piriformis syndrome. You can ice the lower back and take aspirin or ibuprofen to lessen inflammation for the first few days after injury. Sleep on your back or side on a firm mattress with a pillow between your knees. Seek medical attention immediately if your leg goes numb or weak.

Professional treatment, including ultrasound therapy, muscle relaxants and manipulation, can hasten recovery. And if you don't see improvement after four to six weeks of self-treatment, you'll want expert advice.

After a week or so of rest, you can resume non-weight bearing exercise. Swimming, running in water or stationary bicycling are acceptable activities. Gradually resume running when the pain is completely gone. Introduce a stretching and strengthening regimen to avoid recurrence of this nagging injury.

Like many running injuries, piriformis syndrome is much easier to prevent than to cure. It can be caused by overtraining, especially by suddenly ramping up distance, speed or hill workouts.

Those with office jobs can be vulnerable to piriformis syndrome because prolonged sitting can put pressure on that muscle. Try to move away from the desk for some light stretching every two hours, if possible. And try to break long drives into segments of two to three hours.

Piriformis syndrome can be caused by leg length difference, muscle imbalances and inflexibility in the hip area. Work on strengthening the abdominals and back, as well as balancing hamstring and quadriceps strength, for prevention. A prescription orthotic can cure the leg length difference.

Tight hip flexors can also put pressure on the piriformis muscle. Seek professional advice on stretches for the hip area or search the many running websites for information on stretches for the hips and lower back.

To read about this and other running injuries, visit American Running and Fitness website, www.americanrunning.org.

Upcoming events

Wednesday, 6 p.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. Change of day and time for summer. 724-898-2525 or www.runpa.com

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Saxonburg Festival of the Arts 5K, Saxonburg. Third race in Saxonburg Distance Series. 724-898-2525 or Shoes@RunPa.com

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Ikea-Montour Trail Half Marathon and 5K, Imperial. 724-695-2638 or www.montourtrail.org

Saturday, 8:15 a.m.: Charleroi Little Great Race 5K, Charleroi. 724-489-4435 or www.litlegreatrace.com

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Festival in the Woods 5K, Bradford Woods. Level to rolling course; church festival follows race. 724-935-3135.

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Lee Foster Memorial 5-Mile Run, St. Marys. 814-781-1249 or jlecker_espi@alltel.net

Sunday, 9 a.m.: Pizza Joe's 5K, New Castle. 800-860-JOES or www.pizzajoes.com

Sept. 13, 8:30 a.m.: Peanut Butter Festival 5K, New Bethlehem. 814-275-3929

Sept. 14, 7 a.m.: Erie Marathon at Presque Isle, Erie. Also half marathon, half marathon race walk and 5K fun run. 814-898-4472 or www.eriemarathon.org

Sept. 20, 9 a.m.: Green River Trail Run 5K and 15K, Millsboro. 724-627-5541 or arinehart@alltel.net

Sept. 20, noon: Junior Great Race, Point State Park, Pittsburgh. One-mile fun run or 50-yard tot trot for kids 12 and under. Parents accompany youngsters for free. 412-255-2493 or www.rungreatrace.com

Sept. 28, 8:30 a.m.: Richard S. Caliguiri-City of Pittsburgh Great Race 5K, Pittsburgh. Early bird discount registration before Friday. Also 10K at 9:30. 412-255-2493 or www.RunGreatRace.com

Sept. 28, 9 a.m.: The Equalizer, Boardman, Ohio. Age graded 4-mile run. 330-480-5656

Oct. 3, 5:30 p.m.: Run for Hunger 5K and 10K, Walk, Freeport. Run on golf course cart path and challenging trail, post race spaghetti dinner. 724-295-3656 or tomparenti@yahoo.com

Oct. 18, 9 a.m.: Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, Cabot. Start training now for this fast downhill run to Freeport. 724-898-2525 or register online at www.active.com

Race results

Raider Maze 5K, July 26: Scott McGeary, 1st Overall M, 16:03; Louis Butler, 2nd Overall M, 16:05; Chris Cipro, 3rd Overall M, 16:48; Angela Peck, 1st Overall W, 20:14; Elizabeth DiNunzio, 2nd Overall W, 20:57; Joelle Scarnati, 3rd Overall W, 21:24; Matt Davis, 1st 16-19 M, 16:49; Alex Mascio, 1st 13-15 M, 16:55; Dan Carlino, 1st 20-29 M, 17:19; Cameron Stauffer, 2nd 16-19 M, 17:20; "Z", 1st 30-39 M, 17:26Grant Baron, 3rd 16-19 M, 17:40; Brendon Lemmex, 3rd 13-15 M, 18:31; Brent Collins, 2nd 40-49 M, 18:42; Stephen Mick, 2nd 20-29 M, 19:31; Curt Grimm, 1st 50-59 M, 20:06; Luigi Mascio, 3rd 50-59 M, 20:43; Megan Powell, 1st 16-19 W, 21:24; Cindy Grimm, 1st 50-59 W, 21:54; Erin Lopresti, 2nd 16-19 W, 21:56; Billy Lott, 1st 12 and under M, 22:06; John Antinossi, 1st 60-69 M, 22:09; Dez Csizmadia, 2nd 60-69 M, 22:45; Aaron Hall, 3rd 20-29 M, 22:29; Kristen McKinney, 1st 13-15 W, 23:22; Cindy Waltemire, 2nd 50-59 W, 23:27; Susan Moury, 1st 30-39 W, 23:51Lauren McKinney, 3rd 16-19 W, 23:56; Brianna Sucharski, 2nd 13-15 W, 23:56; Mary Ann Patrick, 1st 40-49 W, 24:36; Nancy Bilger, 2nd 30-39 W, 24:50; Trey Razanauskas, 2nd 12 and under M, 24:52; Adam Johanknecht, 3rd 12 and under M, 24:53; Pamela Marlowe, 1st 20-29 W, 25:14; Ann Cheman, 3rd 50-59 W, 25:30; Michelle Botyrius, 3rd 13-15 W, 25:47; Laura Lunz, 2nd 20-29 W, 26:13; Karn Lyle, 3rd 30-39 W, 26:20; Kelley Morrone, 2nd 40-49 W, 29:33Maura Razanauskas, 1st 12 and under W, 29:38; Sarah Johanknecht, 2nd 12 and under W, 29:39; Emily Kier, 3rd 12 and under W, 31:24; Catherine Chris, 3rd 40-49 W, 34:11Matt Marchese, 17:44; Jake Montag, 18:31; Matt Marshall, 19:08; Fred Weaver, 19:33; Andrew Mascio, 19:50; Mark Davis, 19:58; Andrew Razanauskas, 20:16; Rick Colonelo, 20:17; Chris Matessa, 20:27; John Hackworth, 20:55; Roger Murray, 21:23; Bill Tracy, 21:59; Max Chris, 22:04; Mike McKinney, 22:39; Robert Dummer, 23:10; Nick Panos, 23:20; Matt Kuli, 23:29; John Fiore, 23:35; Kay Ogiyama, 23:57; Bob Clark, 23:58; Len Yensull, 24:01; Franklin Bame, 24:06; David Adams, 24:13; Lou Peterson, 24:19; Richard Buechele, 24:35Mike Franko, 24:52; Josh Keir, 24:58; Gale Mussey, 25:01; Steve Cooper, 25:22; Ryan Patrick, 25:28; Stevie A. Mick, 26:43; Kathleen Franko, 27:07; Jim Hodgson, 27:16; Liz Buechele, 27:33; Megan Peaco, 27:33; Ray Peaco, 28:31; Anie Wiest, 28:39; Rachel Kerr, 29:24; Kurt Johanknecht, 29:45; Stephanie Vaughan, 29:53; Cynthia Daley, 29:55; Ed Murray, 30:28; Donna Latsko, 30:38; Eric Wiegel, 30:44; Scott McKinney, 32:16; Eric Duchess, 32:37; Judy Lyle, 33:00; Sue Platt, 34:28; Susan Oliver, 34:29; Sara Strauss, 35:58; Tom Kuli, 36:50; Colette Kuli, 37:59; Kristen Cypher, 43:13; Connor Patrick, 46:53; Lisa Patrick, 46:54Send comments and suggestions to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg, PA 16056. Phone: 724-352-4395. E-mail: bigp16@connecttime.netPat Neubert is the running columnist for the Butler Eagle.