I think you may find that the difference in stretches is due to the fact
that piriformis acts as both a medial and lateral rotator of the hip
dependent of the degree of hip flexion ( ? acts as a lateral rotator for
last 30 degrees of flexion or acts as a medial rotator for first 30 degrees
of hip flexion - I am unable to recall which) I would be interested in
hearing any other explanations.
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> From: [log in to unmask]
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Piriformis stretch
> Date: Saturday, October 30, 1999 2:28 AM
>
> Hi
> Can anyone help me solve this dilemma?
> I have read lots of conflicting evidence in how to stretch the
piriformis
> muscle.
> Here are 2 different stretches one that uses medial rotation and the
other
> uses lateral rotation.
> Stretching to RIGHT piriformis
>
> 1. Lie on your back. Bend your knees and cross your right leg over so
your
> right ankle rests on your left knee. Now, bring your left leg towards
your
> chest by bending at the hip. Reach through and grab your left thigh and
help
> pull towards your chest.
>
> 2. Lie on your back, and flex the right hip and the right knee. Now,
while
> grasping the right knee with your left hand, pull the knee towards your
left
> shoulder. This flexes and adducts the hip. In this position, grasp
above
> the right ankle with the right hand, and rotate the ankle outwards. This
> applies medial rotation.
>
> Theoretically you would think it's the medially rotated one, as
piriformis is
> a lateral rotator of the hip. But all my colleagues use the lateral
rotation
> one, and I myself have better results when using the lateral rotation
stretch.
>
> Does anyone have an explanation for this? Are different structures being
> stretched in lat rot. or is it due to the direction of the fibres??
>
> Thanks
>
> Tamsin Emmens
> Physiotherapist
> London
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