Lower back pain is extremely common and can have many different causes. One cause that is often overlooked—but occurs more frequently than many people realize—is a tight or irritated piriformis muscle.
The piriformis is a small, thin muscle located deep in the buttocks, behind the gluteus maximus. It connects the lower spine to the top of the femur (thigh bone). When this muscle becomes tight, inflamed, or spasmed, it can interfere with normal movement and place pressure on nearby nerves. Performing effective piriformis stretches can help restore muscle function and significantly reduce pain.