Name: Piriformis Self-administered Dynamic Release a.k.a. Pin & Stretch
Uploaded: 2023-04-26T01:00:27.000Z
Duration: 5 min 31 s

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https://stream.mux.com/FBxW2kEvLtqrOIhvwDmStD00f8cm2D3bos4r00OmTML4Q.m3u8

Learn how to properly perform a piriformis self-administered dynamic release (a.k.a. pin and stretch) in this comprehensive step-by-step instructional video from the Brookbush Institute. This evidence-based video provides expert coaching on setup, positioning, alignment, and technique (including progressions and regressions). Safely reduce piriformis hypertonicity, improve posterior hip mobility, and decrease hip discomfort while supporting optimal lumbopelvic alignment and lower-extremity mechanics. Suitable for all fitness levels. Perfect for athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and rehabilitation clients seeking to reduce pain, improve mobility, and restore optimal movement mechanics while reducing injury risk.

Introduction to Piriformis Dynamic Release Techniques

Challenges in Self-Administered Release for the Piriformis

Demonstration of the Pin and Stretch Technique

Recommended Practices and Precautions

Assessing Movement Improvements Post-Technique

Encouragement for Using Massage Therapy Balls

Piriformis Self-administered Dynamic Release a.k.a. Pin & Stretch

This is Brent of the Brookbush Instititue and in this video we're bringing you advanced self-administered release techniques. In this particular video, we're going to go over piriformis dynamic release, or pin and stretch technique. Now, the piriformis created a little bit of a logistics problem for self-administered dynamic release. Two reasons. Number one, it's a fairly thin band-like muscle and it's deep to the gluteus maximus, which is a fairly thick muscle, so I had to find something that was going to have a small enough surface area so that I can get the pressure per square inch to get deep to the glute max while still maintaining my perpendicular width, so that I could block the adhesive tissue as I pull the muscle fibers through. That's when I happened to come across these massage therapy balls from Trigger Point. This is a 5 inch multi-density foam ball. They work quite well. I will warn you guys, once again, these dynamic release, or pin and stretch techniques are a progression from static release techniques. One of the reasons being is for this particular video, this is not nice. This is going to be fairly firm and cause a fairly large amount of discomfort. I wouldn't start with this. I would want to progress up to this if somebody's already started to desensitize and started to release some of those very active trigger points that they started with. I'm going to have my friend, Melissa, come out. She's going to help me demonstrate this technique. Now, your piriformis, once again, is a horizontal band of tissue that goes from tailbone to greater trochanter. So this is like a horizontal line across the top of your backside, but it's deep to your glutes. So, you're going to go ahead and sit on that foam ball. We're going to start on her right cheek. Notice that she's down on her elbows so that she's a little bit more stable. And then we're going to take this leg and we're going to have her put her ankle up on her knee. Now, what that does is it lengthens the glute max, so that if that muscle's lengthened, it's also a little bit thinner. It also gets me ready to put my piriformis on stretch. Now, I'm going to have you find the most tender spot horizontally across the top of your backside. She can go from from her tailbone all the way out almost to the side of her hip, just posterior to her greater trochanter. Got it? Alright, so once she finds that most tender spot, just like all of our other dynamic release or pin and stretch techniques, I'm going to have her go just distal to that spot. This means just closer to the greater trochanter so that she just rolls to the lateral side of that adhesion. You there? You're now going to take this hand and you're going to grab this knee. How you feeling? And she's going to pull with her arm, get a good stretch on that piriformis, hold for 2 to 5 seconds, and relax. Make sure she's still got the spot, she's still got the adhesion. Once again, pull through. So all we're doing, guys, is using that massage ball to block the adhesive tissue as she then stretches her piriformis and pulls the muscle fibers through that adhesive tissue, hopefully increasing our functional extensibility. She's going to do ten to fifteen reps. As you can see, you guys, this is, once again, not nice. This is going to cause a fair amount of discomfort, so you need to start with those static release techniques using something like a Trigger Point Roll, or a softer medicine ball. Make sure that you tone down some of those active trigger points, desensitize the area a little bit first, and then you can work on some more of these fascially based techniques increasing functional extensibility. I might have somebody on a foam roll for four to six weeks before I even introduce this technique. You ready for the other side? Good. Of course, after I did this technique, I would want to see some sort of improvement in my movement patterns. To give you guys an idea, if I was doing an overhead squat assessment, I might release the piraformis if I saw somebody who had knees bow out. If I was doing goniometric assessment, I can actually make a good argument for a decrease in internal rotation or decrease in external rotation in goniometry, so I would want to retest those. I make sure that if I'm going to subject my client or patient to this technique, which is a little uncomfortable, that I am getting good results from it. I hope you guys enjoy using the new massage therapy balls. I think you guys will find they're wonderful for all sorts of techniques. I hope you find good results from dynamic, or pin and stretch technique for the piriformis. I look forward to hearing about your results.

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Knowing hip external rotator release and lengthening techniques can reduce hip pain, lower back pain, sacroiliac (SI) joint pain, etc., and improve fitness performance.

Hip External Rotator: Release and Lengthening

Piriformis & Deep Rotator (Self-Administered) Dynamic Release:

Note: Like many of the "Dynamic Release Techniques", the position is very similar to the "Static Release Technique"

Explain to your patient/client where their piriformis and deep rotators are (from tailbone to greater trochanter), and if necessary palpate the piriformis and deep rotators so they know where to exert pressure with the release tool. I have found the cue, "It's a horizontal band across the top of your butt" helpful.

Instruct your patient/client to assume a position sitting on a foam roll or other broad release tool.

Have them lean onto the side assessed as over-active.

Cross the leg: Have your patient/client place the heel of the leg being released, on the opposite knee.

Have your patient/client rock side-to-side (from sacrum to greater trochanter), as well as up and down (from ischium to posterior iliac spine) using the release tool to scan the entire piriformis and deep rotators for tender points.

Once, the most tender point is located (generally midway between the sacrum and greater trochanter) have your patient move the foam roll just lateral to that point, so it abuts the tender point from the lateral side.

Instruct your patient/client to pull the knee of the side they are releasing toward the chest, holding for 1 - 2 seconds at end range. Perform 10 - 15 repetitions.

Move on to another tender point or the next muscle to be released.

Crossing the wrong leg. If the opposite leg is crossed over the knee, then only the leg of the piriformis and deep rotators you wish to release is left to maintain balance. This will increase activity and reduce the likelihood a release will be achieved.

Not finding the right release tool for the individual (i.e. softball versus foam roll). Dynamic release techniques require that a broad enough release tool is used to "block" the adhesive tissue. For the piriformis and deep rotators, a medicine ball or 

If it tingles or numbs, get off it. This technique can result in compression of the sciatic nerve. Nerves are not very wide. If a tingling, numbing or electric type pain is felt, moving a 1/2 inch will usually move the foam roll off the nerve.

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