Re: [RBW] Re: Piriformis - Help!

[Philip Barrett]

The full diagnosis is that the Piriformis inflammation is putting pressure 
on the Scatica which would also cause very similar symptoms to those you 
describe with the IT band plus extending all the way to the front ankle 
which mine does. My calf hurting is actually the 1st indicator I have of 
what's on its way. I also have no knee pain (the only bit that doesn't hurt 
right now!).

On Monday, August 8, 2022 at 3:14:47 PM UTC-5 George Schick wrote:

> After reading all of these replies (along with your original post) I'm 
> strongly suspecting at least an IT band problem, especially if she's 
> recommending that you stay off the bike for a while, but you can still run 
> without problems.  I had similar issues ~40 years ago and discovered that, 
> though I didn't recognize it at the time, it was in fact an inflammation of 
> the IT band.  I originally thought it was a knee problem, especially 
> bursitis, but having since been married to a professional massage therapist 
> (just one small step below a physical therapist) I've come to realize that 
> it was likely an IT band issue.  I solved my problem back then in two ways: 
> 1) in colder weather I applied some Cramergesic with a wooden applicator 
> (popsicle stick), wrapped a layer of Saran Wrap over that, and covered that 
> with a loosely wrapped Ace bandage using an up-and-down and crossways 
> technique, and 2) carefully played around with my saddle height, eventually 
> finding that I was riding with the saddle in too high a position.  
> Supposedly, common cycling knowledge - at least among the racing crowd - is 
> that knee pain is more likely to occur along the outside of the leg if the 
> saddle is too high and on the inside if it's too low.  
>
> On Monday, August 8, 2022 at 2:58:55 PM UTC-5 philipr...@gmail.com wrote:
>
>> Well the doc reviewed my MRI and says stay off the bike for awhile until 
>> things clear up. Not good, but it makes sense & I trust her as she's a 
>> sports doc not just a GP. Luckily I can still run but being off the bike 
>> for an undetermined period of time is a big hit to the physical & mental 
>> well being.
>>
>> On Sunday, August 7, 2022 at 9:10:50 AM UTC-5 Philip Barrett wrote:
>>
>>> Mine is similar, except on the floor, good old Iyengar twist. Like you, 
>>> seems to work without making anything worse.
>>>
>>> I did the same for my computer too, I have to recommend the Monoprice 
>>> electric sit/stand desk - less than $200 and a very substantial piece of 
>>> kit. 
>>>
>>> On Sunday, August 7, 2022 at 8:46:02 AM UTC-5 Jim Whorton wrote:
>>>
 Philip, the stretch that has worked for me—I’ll see if I can describe 
 it—it to sit on a chair with my back straight, cross my legs so that one 
 knee is in the air, then bend forward and twist my shoulders towards that 
 knee, so I can feel the tight muscle stretching. I do this usually at 
 night 
 or whenever it feels tight, but not when truly sore.  

 Oh, and I also moved my computer to a standing desk.  

 Jim 

 On Aug 6, 2022, at 6:06 PM, Philip Barrett  
 wrote:

 Thanks Jim - you were doing the simple stretches only? My PT 
 recommended those (which feel good) & the lacrosse ball direct massage 
 which seems to make things worse.



 On Saturday, August 6, 2022 at 4:43:48 PM UTC-5 Jim Whorton wrote:

> Another thing is just giving yourself plenty of time to heal.  I had 
> an awful bout with piriformis syndrome--in my case the cause, I think, 
> was 
> a combination of a lot of jogging and a lot of sitting in a chair.  
> Stretching did not cure it, rest did--but stretching has kept it from 
> coming back.  Right now I am riding a Clem H with a Brooks B17 and it's 
> fine for me, but I seem to have learned how to stretch and when, to keep 
> the problem from recurring.  Good luck!  It can be agonizing.
>
> Jim in Rochester
>
> On Friday, August 5, 2022 at 10:01:55 AM UTC-4 philipr...@gmail.com 
> wrote:
>
>> My riding is being seriously compromised by Piriformis syndrome. I'm 
>> with a sports doc and in PT for this so don't need advice on treatment, 
>> more so, any shared experience specific to cycling.
>>
>> Pressure on the Periformis area causes both localized pain and pain 
>> in my calf. Running does not exasperate the problem, in fact it seems to 
>> help! Cycling however is difficult & will leave lingering pain long 
>> after 
>> the ride. I've readjusted fit & seat height, my saddles are all Brooks 
>> B-17s and I stay focused on a spin rather than big pressure but nothing 
>> seems to help. Basically a bike ride sets any recovery process backwards.
>>
>> I'm actually suspecting the seat, albeit it seems to support 
>> correctly perhaps there's just enough pressure in the wrong place to 
>> cause 
>> issues? Anyone's experiences around this would

Re: [RBW] Re: Piriformis - Help!

[George Schick]

After reading all of these replies (along with your original post) I'm 
strongly suspecting at least an IT band problem, especially if she's 
recommending that you stay off the bike for a while, but you can still run 
without problems.  I had similar issues ~40 years ago and discovered that, 
though I didn't recognize it at the time, it was in fact an inflammation of 
the IT band.  I originally thought it was a knee problem, especially 
bursitis, but having since been married to a professional massage therapist 
(just one small step below a physical therapist) I've come to realize that 
it was likely an IT band issue.  I solved my problem back then in two ways: 
1) in colder weather I applied some Cramergesic with a wooden applicator 
(popsicle stick), wrapped a layer of Saran Wrap over that, and covered that 
with a loosely wrapped Ace bandage using an up-and-down and crossways 
technique, and 2) carefully played around with my saddle height, eventually 
finding that I was riding with the saddle in too high a position.  
Supposedly, common cycling knowledge - at least among the racing crowd - is 
that knee pain is more likely to occur along the outside of the leg if the 
saddle is too high and on the inside if it's too low.  

On Monday, August 8, 2022 at 2:58:55 PM UTC-5 philipr...@gmail.com wrote:

> Well the doc reviewed my MRI and says stay off the bike for awhile until 
> things clear up. Not good, but it makes sense & I trust her as she's a 
> sports doc not just a GP. Luckily I can still run but being off the bike 
> for an undetermined period of time is a big hit to the physical & mental 
> well being.
>
> On Sunday, August 7, 2022 at 9:10:50 AM UTC-5 Philip Barrett wrote:
>
>> Mine is similar, except on the floor, good old Iyengar twist. Like you, 
>> seems to work without making anything worse.
>>
>> I did the same for my computer too, I have to recommend the Monoprice 
>> electric sit/stand desk - less than $200 and a very substantial piece of 
>> kit. 
>>
>> On Sunday, August 7, 2022 at 8:46:02 AM UTC-5 Jim Whorton wrote:
>>
>>> Philip, the stretch that has worked for me—I’ll see if I can describe 
>>> it—it to sit on a chair with my back straight, cross my legs so that one 
>>> knee is in the air, then bend forward and twist my shoulders towards that 
>>> knee, so I can feel the tight muscle stretching. I do this usually at night 
>>> or whenever it feels tight, but not when truly sore.  
>>>
>>> Oh, and I also moved my computer to a standing desk.  
>>>
>>> Jim 
>>>
>>> On Aug 6, 2022, at 6:06 PM, Philip Barrett  wrote:
>>>
>>> Thanks Jim - you were doing the simple stretches only? My PT 
>>> recommended those (which feel good) & the lacrosse ball direct massage 
>>> which seems to make things worse.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Saturday, August 6, 2022 at 4:43:48 PM UTC-5 Jim Whorton wrote:
>>>
 Another thing is just giving yourself plenty of time to heal.  I had an 
 awful bout with piriformis syndrome--in my case the cause, I think, was a 
 combination of a lot of jogging and a lot of sitting in a chair.  
 Stretching did not cure it, rest did--but stretching has kept it from 
 coming back.  Right now I am riding a Clem H with a Brooks B17 and it's 
 fine for me, but I seem to have learned how to stretch and when, to keep 
 the problem from recurring.  Good luck!  It can be agonizing.

 Jim in Rochester

 On Friday, August 5, 2022 at 10:01:55 AM UTC-4 philipr...@gmail.com 
 wrote:

> My riding is being seriously compromised by Piriformis syndrome. I'm 
> with a sports doc and in PT for this so don't need advice on treatment, 
> more so, any shared experience specific to cycling.
>
> Pressure on the Periformis area causes both localized pain and pain in 
> my calf. Running does not exasperate the problem, in fact it seems to 
> help! 
> Cycling however is difficult & will leave lingering pain long after the 
> ride. I've readjusted fit & seat height, my saddles are all Brooks B-17s 
> and I stay focused on a spin rather than big pressure but nothing seems 
> to 
> help. Basically a bike ride sets any recovery process backwards.
>
> I'm actually suspecting the seat, albeit it seems to support correctly 
> perhaps there's just enough pressure in the wrong place to cause issues? 
> Anyone's experiences around this would be very much appreciated as I've 
> had 
> to cut my riding time down exponentially and I find that (literally) 
> depressing.
>
 -- 
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>>> https://group

Re: [RBW] Re: Piriformis - Help!

[Philip Barrett]

Well the doc reviewed my MRI and says stay off the bike for awhile until 
things clear up. Not good, but it makes sense & I trust her as she's a 
sports doc not just a GP. Luckily I can still run but being off the bike 
for an undetermined period of time is a big hit to the physical & mental 
well being.

On Sunday, August 7, 2022 at 9:10:50 AM UTC-5 Philip Barrett wrote:

> Mine is similar, except on the floor, good old Iyengar twist. Like you, 
> seems to work without making anything worse.
>
> I did the same for my computer too, I have to recommend the Monoprice 
> electric sit/stand desk - less than $200 and a very substantial piece of 
> kit. 
>
> On Sunday, August 7, 2022 at 8:46:02 AM UTC-5 Jim Whorton wrote:
>
>> Philip, the stretch that has worked for me—I’ll see if I can describe 
>> it—it to sit on a chair with my back straight, cross my legs so that one 
>> knee is in the air, then bend forward and twist my shoulders towards that 
>> knee, so I can feel the tight muscle stretching. I do this usually at night 
>> or whenever it feels tight, but not when truly sore.  
>>
>> Oh, and I also moved my computer to a standing desk.  
>>
>> Jim 
>>
>> On Aug 6, 2022, at 6:06 PM, Philip Barrett  wrote:
>>
>> Thanks Jim - you were doing the simple stretches only? My PT recommended 
>> those (which feel good) & the lacrosse ball direct massage which seems to 
>> make things worse.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Saturday, August 6, 2022 at 4:43:48 PM UTC-5 Jim Whorton wrote:
>>
>>> Another thing is just giving yourself plenty of time to heal.  I had an 
>>> awful bout with piriformis syndrome--in my case the cause, I think, was a 
>>> combination of a lot of jogging and a lot of sitting in a chair.  
>>> Stretching did not cure it, rest did--but stretching has kept it from 
>>> coming back.  Right now I am riding a Clem H with a Brooks B17 and it's 
>>> fine for me, but I seem to have learned how to stretch and when, to keep 
>>> the problem from recurring.  Good luck!  It can be agonizing.
>>>
>>> Jim in Rochester
>>>
>>> On Friday, August 5, 2022 at 10:01:55 AM UTC-4 philipr...@gmail.com 
>>> wrote:
>>>
 My riding is being seriously compromised by Piriformis syndrome. I'm 
 with a sports doc and in PT for this so don't need advice on treatment, 
 more so, any shared experience specific to cycling.

 Pressure on the Periformis area causes both localized pain and pain in 
 my calf. Running does not exasperate the problem, in fact it seems to 
 help! 
 Cycling however is difficult & will leave lingering pain long after the 
 ride. I've readjusted fit & seat height, my saddles are all Brooks B-17s 
 and I stay focused on a spin rather than big pressure but nothing seems to 
 help. Basically a bike ride sets any recovery process backwards.

 I'm actually suspecting the seat, albeit it seems to support correctly 
 perhaps there's just enough pressure in the wrong place to cause issues? 
 Anyone's experiences around this would be very much appreciated as I've 
 had 
 to cut my riding time down exponentially and I find that (literally) 
 depressing.

>>> -- 
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>>  
>> 
>> .
>>
>>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Piriformis - Help!

[Philip Barrett]

Mine is similar, except on the floor, good old Iyengar twist. Like you, 
seems to work without making anything worse.

I did the same for my computer too, I have to recommend the Monoprice 
electric sit/stand desk - less than $200 and a very substantial piece of 
kit. 

On Sunday, August 7, 2022 at 8:46:02 AM UTC-5 Jim Whorton wrote:

> Philip, the stretch that has worked for me—I’ll see if I can describe 
> it—it to sit on a chair with my back straight, cross my legs so that one 
> knee is in the air, then bend forward and twist my shoulders towards that 
> knee, so I can feel the tight muscle stretching. I do this usually at night 
> or whenever it feels tight, but not when truly sore.  
>
> Oh, and I also moved my computer to a standing desk.  
>
> Jim 
>
> On Aug 6, 2022, at 6:06 PM, Philip Barrett  wrote:
>
> Thanks Jim - you were doing the simple stretches only? My PT recommended 
> those (which feel good) & the lacrosse ball direct massage which seems to 
> make things worse.
>
>
>
> On Saturday, August 6, 2022 at 4:43:48 PM UTC-5 Jim Whorton wrote:
>
>> Another thing is just giving yourself plenty of time to heal.  I had an 
>> awful bout with piriformis syndrome--in my case the cause, I think, was a 
>> combination of a lot of jogging and a lot of sitting in a chair.  
>> Stretching did not cure it, rest did--but stretching has kept it from 
>> coming back.  Right now I am riding a Clem H with a Brooks B17 and it's 
>> fine for me, but I seem to have learned how to stretch and when, to keep 
>> the problem from recurring.  Good luck!  It can be agonizing.
>>
>> Jim in Rochester
>>
>> On Friday, August 5, 2022 at 10:01:55 AM UTC-4 philipr...@gmail.com 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> My riding is being seriously compromised by Piriformis syndrome. I'm 
>>> with a sports doc and in PT for this so don't need advice on treatment, 
>>> more so, any shared experience specific to cycling.
>>>
>>> Pressure on the Periformis area causes both localized pain and pain in 
>>> my calf. Running does not exasperate the problem, in fact it seems to help! 
>>> Cycling however is difficult & will leave lingering pain long after the 
>>> ride. I've readjusted fit & seat height, my saddles are all Brooks B-17s 
>>> and I stay focused on a spin rather than big pressure but nothing seems to 
>>> help. Basically a bike ride sets any recovery process backwards.
>>>
>>> I'm actually suspecting the seat, albeit it seems to support correctly 
>>> perhaps there's just enough pressure in the wrong place to cause issues? 
>>> Anyone's experiences around this would be very much appreciated as I've had 
>>> to cut my riding time down exponentially and I find that (literally) 
>>> depressing.
>>>
>> -- 
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>  
> 
> .
>
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Piriformis - Help!

[James Whorton]

Philip, the stretch that has worked for me—I’ll see if I can describe it—it to 
sit on a chair with my back straight, cross my legs so that one knee is in the 
air, then bend forward and twist my shoulders towards that knee, so I can feel 
the tight muscle stretching. I do this usually at night or whenever it feels 
tight, but not when truly sore.  

Oh, and I also moved my computer to a standing desk.  

Jim 

> On Aug 6, 2022, at 6:06 PM, Philip Barrett  wrote:
> 
> Thanks Jim - you were doing the simple stretches only? My PT recommended 
> those (which feel good) & the lacrosse ball direct massage which seems to 
> make things worse.
> 
>> On Saturday, August 6, 2022 at 4:43:48 PM UTC-5 Jim Whorton wrote:
>> Another thing is just giving yourself plenty of time to heal.  I had an 
>> awful bout with piriformis syndrome--in my case the cause, I think, was a 
>> combination of a lot of jogging and a lot of sitting in a chair.  Stretching 
>> did not cure it, rest did--but stretching has kept it from coming back.  
>> Right now I am riding a Clem H with a Brooks B17 and it's fine for me, but I 
>> seem to have learned how to stretch and when, to keep the problem from 
>> recurring.  Good luck!  It can be agonizing.
>> 
>> Jim in Rochester
>> 
>>> On Friday, August 5, 2022 at 10:01:55 AM UTC-4 philipr...@gmail.com wrote:
>>> My riding is being seriously compromised by Piriformis syndrome. I'm with a 
>>> sports doc and in PT for this so don't need advice on treatment, more so, 
>>> any shared experience specific to cycling.
>>> 
>>> Pressure on the Periformis area causes both localized pain and pain in my 
>>> calf. Running does not exasperate the problem, in fact it seems to help! 
>>> Cycling however is difficult & will leave lingering pain long after the 
>>> ride. I've readjusted fit & seat height, my saddles are all Brooks B-17s 
>>> and I stay focused on a spin rather than big pressure but nothing seems to 
>>> help. Basically a bike ride sets any recovery process backwards.
>>> 
>>> I'm actually suspecting the seat, albeit it seems to support correctly 
>>> perhaps there's just enough pressure in the wrong place to cause issues? 
>>> Anyone's experiences around this would be very much appreciated as I've had 
>>> to cut my riding time down exponentially and I find that (literally) 
>>> depressing.
> 
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[RBW] Re: Piriformis - Help!

[Nick Payne]

On Saturday, 6 August 2022 at 1:26:16 am UTC+10 George Schick wrote:

> Interestingly, I have either B-17's or a Flyer on all but one of my bikes 
> and I ride them without issue.  The 4th one, however, has a Team Pro, 
> probably the narrowest of the Brooks saddles and whenever I ride that one I 
> begin to develop similar problems, probably piriformis or related.  
> Similarly, in the past when I switched one of the B-17's out for a B-17 
> Narrow I rode it for a couple hundred miles and just could not get past the 
> same kind of discomfort as with the Team Pro.  So, there may indeed be 
> something to this saddle type, width, etc. issue.


I have B-17s on a couple of bikes, but over the last few years I've started 
using the Berthoud Vars/Aubisque/Mente saddles on new bikes that I build. 
The Vars/Aubisque/Mente have exactly the same top (5mm wider than B-17),  
and I find them most comfortable saddles I've ever sat on. In descending 
order of price, the Vars has Ti rails and can be disassembled if parts need 
replacing, the Aubisque is the same but with stainless steel rails, the 
Mente also has stainless steel rails but the top is riveted on.

XXCycle seems to have about the best price on them.

Nick

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[RBW] Re: Piriformis - Help!

[Philip Barrett]

Thanks Jim - you were doing the simple stretches only? My PT recommended 
those (which feel good) & the lacrosse ball direct massage which seems to 
make things worse.

On Saturday, August 6, 2022 at 4:43:48 PM UTC-5 Jim Whorton wrote:

> Another thing is just giving yourself plenty of time to heal.  I had an 
> awful bout with piriformis syndrome--in my case the cause, I think, was a 
> combination of a lot of jogging and a lot of sitting in a chair.  
> Stretching did not cure it, rest did--but stretching has kept it from 
> coming back.  Right now I am riding a Clem H with a Brooks B17 and it's 
> fine for me, but I seem to have learned how to stretch and when, to keep 
> the problem from recurring.  Good luck!  It can be agonizing.
>
> Jim in Rochester
>
> On Friday, August 5, 2022 at 10:01:55 AM UTC-4 philipr...@gmail.com wrote:
>
>> My riding is being seriously compromised by Piriformis syndrome. I'm with 
>> a sports doc and in PT for this so don't need advice on treatment, more so, 
>> any shared experience specific to cycling.
>>
>> Pressure on the Periformis area causes both localized pain and pain in my 
>> calf. Running does not exasperate the problem, in fact it seems to help! 
>> Cycling however is difficult & will leave lingering pain long after the 
>> ride. I've readjusted fit & seat height, my saddles are all Brooks B-17s 
>> and I stay focused on a spin rather than big pressure but nothing seems to 
>> help. Basically a bike ride sets any recovery process backwards.
>>
>> I'm actually suspecting the seat, albeit it seems to support correctly 
>> perhaps there's just enough pressure in the wrong place to cause issues? 
>> Anyone's experiences around this would be very much appreciated as I've had 
>> to cut my riding time down exponentially and I find that (literally) 
>> depressing.
>>
>

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[RBW] Re: Piriformis - Help!

[Jim Whorton]

Another thing is just giving yourself plenty of time to heal.  I had an 
awful bout with piriformis syndrome--in my case the cause, I think, was a 
combination of a lot of jogging and a lot of sitting in a chair.  
Stretching did not cure it, rest did--but stretching has kept it from 
coming back.  Right now I am riding a Clem H with a Brooks B17 and it's 
fine for me, but I seem to have learned how to stretch and when, to keep 
the problem from recurring.  Good luck!  It can be agonizing.

Jim in Rochester

On Friday, August 5, 2022 at 10:01:55 AM UTC-4 philipr...@gmail.com wrote:

> My riding is being seriously compromised by Piriformis syndrome. I'm with 
> a sports doc and in PT for this so don't need advice on treatment, more so, 
> any shared experience specific to cycling.
>
> Pressure on the Periformis area causes both localized pain and pain in my 
> calf. Running does not exasperate the problem, in fact it seems to help! 
> Cycling however is difficult & will leave lingering pain long after the 
> ride. I've readjusted fit & seat height, my saddles are all Brooks B-17s 
> and I stay focused on a spin rather than big pressure but nothing seems to 
> help. Basically a bike ride sets any recovery process backwards.
>
> I'm actually suspecting the seat, albeit it seems to support correctly 
> perhaps there's just enough pressure in the wrong place to cause issues? 
> Anyone's experiences around this would be very much appreciated as I've had 
> to cut my riding time down exponentially and I find that (literally) 
> depressing.
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Piriformis - Help!

[aeroperf]

As one also with stenosis (and L2 - L4 fused), I found that bending over 
just a little bit was better than upright walking.  So…biking!  But I tried 
6 saddles on my Sam, and all of them hurt various places on my butt after a 
while.  Finally I got a Brooks B-17 carved.  After break-in and rolling 
down the edges of the carving with a light rasp, this saddle has been 
phenomenally comfortable.

On the other hand, I tried all 7 saddles on my road bike, and the Selle 
Anatomica Titanico X came out the clear winner, beating the Brooks by miles 
for long-term comfort.  Of course, that had to do with rider position.

What it taught me was that there ARE differences in seats, and you have to 
try a few to find out what is best for you on a specific bike.  If the B-17 
isn’t cutting it on that bike, I’d recommend trying the B-67.  It is wider, 
at least.

Another recommendation:  My LBS has a box full of saddles, and is willing 
to loan them out.  Want to try a Serfas RX-921V?  Here, give it back in a 
week.  So get friendly with your LBS.  

One thing that I could wish for…
There are mechanical “bikes” out there, being used for fitting, that change 
the seat height, seat setback from BB, handlebar height and “set fwd” from 
BB, etc.  Probably 8 different lengths/sizes can be dialed in, including 
the pedal arm length.  As far as I know, they are scarce and therefore 
being used currently for the Pros, to size their bikes.

I would pay someone $100/hour (the cost of only one good saddle) to set one 
of these up as my current bike and let me try various saddles in various 
positions.
It took 4 years of riding to find the right saddle for me for the Sam. 
 Maybe I could have done it in a couple of hours with one of these devices.

Perhaps your sports doc will write you a prescription to cut your costs to 
find/try one of these mechanical fitting machines.  Take a big bag of 
saddles to try.

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Re: [RBW] Re: Piriformis - Help!

[Richard Rose]

They are often on e bay. Got mine like new for $75.00!

Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 5, 2022, at 12:42 PM, Philip Barrett  wrote:
> 
> 
> Thanks & great question.
> 
> In an attempt to isolate this I've been staying on the Platypus only, it 
> seems (maybe) that the Kona ULTD doesn't cause as much issue which makes no 
> sense as it's a more forward/pressure on that area riding position so in the 
> name of eliminating variables...
> 
> I've redone the PBH measurements just to check & elevated the seat slightly 
> as stretching the Piriformis area is advised rather than "crushing" it with 
> too short a stroke which makes sense.
> 
>> On Friday, August 5, 2022 at 11:28:16 AM UTC-5 Wesley wrote:
>> Sorry to hear it, Philip! Nagging physical issues are miserable. How many 
>> bikes do you own, and is there variation in your experience between bikes, 
>> or if you adjust your seat or handlebar height?
>> -W
>> 
>>> On Friday, August 5, 2022 at 7:01:55 AM UTC-7 philipr...@gmail.com wrote:
>>> My riding is being seriously compromised by Piriformis syndrome. I'm with a 
>>> sports doc and in PT for this so don't need advice on treatment, more so, 
>>> any shared experience specific to cycling.
>>> 
>>> Pressure on the Periformis area causes both localized pain and pain in my 
>>> calf. Running does not exasperate the problem, in fact it seems to help! 
>>> Cycling however is difficult & will leave lingering pain long after the 
>>> ride. I've readjusted fit & seat height, my saddles are all Brooks B-17s 
>>> and I stay focused on a spin rather than big pressure but nothing seems to 
>>> help. Basically a bike ride sets any recovery process backwards.
>>> 
>>> I'm actually suspecting the seat, albeit it seems to support correctly 
>>> perhaps there's just enough pressure in the wrong place to cause issues? 
>>> Anyone's experiences around this would be very much appreciated as I've had 
>>> to cut my riding time down exponentially and I find that (literally) 
>>> depressing.
> 
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[RBW] Re: Piriformis - Help!

[Philip Barrett]

Thanks & great question.

In an attempt to isolate this I've been staying on the Platypus only, it 
seems (maybe) that the Kona ULTD doesn't cause as much issue which makes no 
sense as it's a more forward/pressure on that area riding position so in 
the name of eliminating variables...

I've redone the PBH measurements just to check & elevated the seat slightly 
as stretching the Piriformis area is advised rather than "crushing" it with 
too short a stroke which makes sense.

On Friday, August 5, 2022 at 11:28:16 AM UTC-5 Wesley wrote:

> Sorry to hear it, Philip! Nagging physical issues are miserable. How many 
> bikes do you own, and is there variation in your experience between bikes, 
> or if you adjust your seat or handlebar height?
> -W
>
> On Friday, August 5, 2022 at 7:01:55 AM UTC-7 philipr...@gmail.com wrote:
>
>> My riding is being seriously compromised by Piriformis syndrome. I'm with 
>> a sports doc and in PT for this so don't need advice on treatment, more so, 
>> any shared experience specific to cycling.
>>
>> Pressure on the Periformis area causes both localized pain and pain in my 
>> calf. Running does not exasperate the problem, in fact it seems to help! 
>> Cycling however is difficult & will leave lingering pain long after the 
>> ride. I've readjusted fit & seat height, my saddles are all Brooks B-17s 
>> and I stay focused on a spin rather than big pressure but nothing seems to 
>> help. Basically a bike ride sets any recovery process backwards.
>>
>> I'm actually suspecting the seat, albeit it seems to support correctly 
>> perhaps there's just enough pressure in the wrong place to cause issues? 
>> Anyone's experiences around this would be very much appreciated as I've had 
>> to cut my riding time down exponentially and I find that (literally) 
>> depressing.
>>
>

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[RBW] Re: Piriformis - Help!

[Wesley]

Sorry to hear it, Philip! Nagging physical issues are miserable. How many 
bikes do you own, and is there variation in your experience between bikes, 
or if you adjust your seat or handlebar height?
-W

On Friday, August 5, 2022 at 7:01:55 AM UTC-7 philipr...@gmail.com wrote:

> My riding is being seriously compromised by Piriformis syndrome. I'm with 
> a sports doc and in PT for this so don't need advice on treatment, more so, 
> any shared experience specific to cycling.
>
> Pressure on the Periformis area causes both localized pain and pain in my 
> calf. Running does not exasperate the problem, in fact it seems to help! 
> Cycling however is difficult & will leave lingering pain long after the 
> ride. I've readjusted fit & seat height, my saddles are all Brooks B-17s 
> and I stay focused on a spin rather than big pressure but nothing seems to 
> help. Basically a bike ride sets any recovery process backwards.
>
> I'm actually suspecting the seat, albeit it seems to support correctly 
> perhaps there's just enough pressure in the wrong place to cause issues? 
> Anyone's experiences around this would be very much appreciated as I've had 
> to cut my riding time down exponentially and I find that (literally) 
> depressing.
>

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[RBW] Re: Piriformis - Help!

[Philip Barrett]

Thanks all, I was wondering about trying a B-67 but it's a major investment 
if I'm wrong! I guess I could do Amazon & return though.



On Friday, August 5, 2022 at 10:26:16 AM UTC-5 George Schick wrote:

> Interestingly, I have either B-17's or a Flyer on all but one of my bikes 
> and I ride them without issue.  The 4th one, however, has a Team Pro, 
> probably the narrowest of the Brooks saddles and whenever I ride that one I 
> begin to develop similar problems, probably piriformis or related.  
> Similarly, in the past when I switched one of the B-17's out for a B-17 
> Narrow I rode it for a couple hundred miles and just could not get past the 
> same kind of discomfort as with the Team Pro.  So, there may indeed be 
> something to this saddle type, width, etc. issue.
>
> On Friday, August 5, 2022 at 9:01:55 AM UTC-5 philipr...@gmail.com wrote:
>
>> My riding is being seriously compromised by Piriformis syndrome. I'm with 
>> a sports doc and in PT for this so don't need advice on treatment, more so, 
>> any shared experience specific to cycling.
>>
>> Pressure on the Periformis area causes both localized pain and pain in my 
>> calf. Running does not exasperate the problem, in fact it seems to help! 
>> Cycling however is difficult & will leave lingering pain long after the 
>> ride. I've readjusted fit & seat height, my saddles are all Brooks B-17s 
>> and I stay focused on a spin rather than big pressure but nothing seems to 
>> help. Basically a bike ride sets any recovery process backwards.
>>
>> I'm actually suspecting the seat, albeit it seems to support correctly 
>> perhaps there's just enough pressure in the wrong place to cause issues? 
>> Anyone's experiences around this would be very much appreciated as I've had 
>> to cut my riding time down exponentially and I find that (literally) 
>> depressing.
>>
>

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[RBW] Re: Piriformis - Help!

[George Schick]

Interestingly, I have either B-17's or a Flyer on all but one of my bikes 
and I ride them without issue.  The 4th one, however, has a Team Pro, 
probably the narrowest of the Brooks saddles and whenever I ride that one I 
begin to develop similar problems, probably piriformis or related.  
Similarly, in the past when I switched one of the B-17's out for a B-17 
Narrow I rode it for a couple hundred miles and just could not get past the 
same kind of discomfort as with the Team Pro.  So, there may indeed be 
something to this saddle type, width, etc. issue.

On Friday, August 5, 2022 at 9:01:55 AM UTC-5 philipr...@gmail.com wrote:

> My riding is being seriously compromised by Piriformis syndrome. I'm with 
> a sports doc and in PT for this so don't need advice on treatment, more so, 
> any shared experience specific to cycling.
>
> Pressure on the Periformis area causes both localized pain and pain in my 
> calf. Running does not exasperate the problem, in fact it seems to help! 
> Cycling however is difficult & will leave lingering pain long after the 
> ride. I've readjusted fit & seat height, my saddles are all Brooks B-17s 
> and I stay focused on a spin rather than big pressure but nothing seems to 
> help. Basically a bike ride sets any recovery process backwards.
>
> I'm actually suspecting the seat, albeit it seems to support correctly 
> perhaps there's just enough pressure in the wrong place to cause issues? 
> Anyone's experiences around this would be very much appreciated as I've had 
> to cut my riding time down exponentially and I find that (literally) 
> depressing.
>

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