Piriformis Syndrome vs. Herniated Disc: Why Buttock Pain Differs
Bolingbrook – November 01, 2026 -- Pain deep in the buttock that runs down the back of the leg does not always point to a herniated disc. A small hip muscle called the piriformis can irritate the sciatic nerve and produce similar symptoms, according to a HelloNation article featuring Dr. Mitch Quill, D.C., a chiropractor in Bolingbrook, Illinois.
The piriformis sits right next to the sciatic nerve
The piriformis is a small muscle deep in the hip that helps rotate the hip and stabilize the pelvis during movement. The sciatic nerve passes close to it. When the muscle becomes tight, inflamed, or irritated, it can press on the nerve and cause pain, tingling, or numbness.
Piriformis syndrome often starts as a deep buttock ache. Pain may travel down the back of the thigh and sometimes reaches the calf.