10 Wonderful Piriformis Stretches To Help You Get Rid of Sciatica, Hip & Lower Back Pain

1. Supine Piriformis Stretch

1. Lie down on your back with your knees bent upwards.
2. Pull one leg towards the chest, and gently cross it over the other leg
3. Grab your knee with one hand and your ankle with the other hand and slowly pull toward the shoulder that is in line with your ankle, feeling an enjoyable stretch in the glutes in the buttock.
4. Hold for 30 to 60 seconds, then slowly release.

Here is a video to show one variation of this stretch:

2. Standing Piriformis Stretch

1. While standing, place one leg over the other leg’s knee, making a shape similar to the number 4.
2. Slowly lower the hips towards the ground at a 45 degree angle by gently bending the support leg.
3. Lean forward and lower your chest toward your knees while keeping your back straight.
4. Hold for 30-60 seconds, then slowly return to a normal standing position and switch legs and repeat.

If you have trouble balancing, stand with your back against a wall, and walk your feet forward 24 inches.

3. Outer Hip Piriformis Stretch

1. Lie on your back and bend the right knee upwards.
2. Use the left hand to pull the knee over to the left side. Keep your back on the ground, and feel the enjoyable stretch in the hip and buttocks.
3. Gently hold for 20-30 seconds, and then return to your original position, and repeat with the other leg.

4. Long Adductor (Groin) Stretch

1. Sitting on the floor, stretch your legs straight out, as far apart as comfortable.
2. Slowly tilt your torso forward at the hips and place your hands next to each other on the floor.
3. Gently and slowly lean forward, bringing your elbows to the floor if possible. You should feel a good pelvic stretch, but stop if you feel any pain.
4. Hold for 10-20 seconds, and then release.

5. Short Adductor (Inner Thigh) Stretch

1. While sitting on the floor, put the soles of your feet together in front of your pelvis.
2. Hold your ankles with the opposite hands (right hand to left ankle and vice versa)
3. Gently use your elbows to apply downward pressure on your knees to increase the stretch.
4. Hold for 30 seconds, release, and flutter your legs slowly (like a butterfly) for 30 seconds to release any tension in the muscles.

6. Side Lying Clam Exercise

1. Lay on your side with the hip that needs help on top.
2. Bend your knees creating an ‘L’ shape, while keeping one foot over the other and keeping the legs parallel to each other.
3. Make sure your spine is straight and that the top part of your hip is vertically aligned with the bottom.
4. Keeping your feet together, raise the top knee.
5. Slowly return the knee to the starting position. Repeat 15 times.

7. Hip Extension Exercise

1. Place your hands and knees on the ground with your shoulders directly over your hands. Shift your weight a little off of the leg you’re about to wonderfully stretch.
2. Keeping the knee bent, raise your leg off the floor so that the sole of the foot moves towards the ceiling.
3. Slowly lower the leg close to the starting position, but not all the way to the floor, then repeat 15 times.

8. Supine Piriformis Side Stretch

9. Buttocks Stretch For The Piriformis Muscle

1. Laying with your stomach on the ground, bring the affected leg’s foot underneath the trunk of your body and gently stretch it to the other side, while pointing the knee to the shoulder.
2. Lower your head, until your forehead touches the ground, and lean your forearms on the ground for support.
3. Slowly stretch the non-affected leg out behind you, while keeping the pelvis straight.
4. Gently push your hips towards the floor during the stretch.
5. Hold for 30 seconds, and then slowly return to starting position, repeating 3 times.

10. Seated Stretch

1. In seated position, cross your right leg over your left knee.
2. Bend slightly forward, making sure to keep your back straight.
3. Hold for 30 to 60 seconds, slowly release, and then repeat on the other side.