Aching in the buttocks is often caused by muscle strains (glutes, hamstrings), inflammation (bursitis, tendinitis), nerve issues like sciatica or piriformis syndrome, joint problems (sacroiliac joint dysfunction, hip arthritis), or referred pain from the lower back. It can also stem from prolonged sitting, overuse, injury, or conditions like a herniated disc or stress fractures, requiring proper diagnosis to identify the underlying source.
Piriformis syndrome causes pain or numbness in your butt, hip or upper leg. It occurs when the piriformis muscle presses on the sciatic nerve. The condition may be caused by injury, swelling, muscle spasms or scar tissue in the piriformis. Most episodes go away in a few days or weeks with rest and simple treatments.
Red flags for buttock pain needing urgent care include loss of bowel/bladder control, severe leg weakness, saddle numbness (groin/inner thigh numbness), fever/chills with pain, severe night pain disrupting sleep, or pain after trauma, suggesting serious issues like cauda equina syndrome or infection, while persistent, worsening pain, or numbness/tingling warrant a doctor's visit to rule out sciatica, disc issues, or SI joint problems.
10 Ways to Relieve Buttock Muscle Pain
The typical pain from hip arthritis is located in the groin thigh or buttock. The pain is generally worse with weight bearing activities (e.g., walking, standing, or twisting).
Incorporating the right vitamins into your diet can potentially help with sciatic nerve pain relief. By focusing on key vitamins such as Magnesium, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and vitamin C, you can support nerve health and reduce inflammation in the body.
Sciatica symptoms
Muscle spasms or weakness. Numbness, tingling or a pins-and-needles sensation. Shooting or burning pain that travels down to your buttock, leg and foot.
Common Hip Conditions That Cause Buttock Pain
Labral Tears: Damage to the hip's cartilage rim can cause deep, aching pain and a catching sensation during movement. Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI): Abnormal contact between the femoral head and hip socket can cause pain that radiates into the buttock and groin.
Pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be helpful for buttock pain when sitting or lying down. It's important to make sure that you are safely able to take these medications, based on your medical history.
Here's a list of seven symptoms that call for attention.
The piriformis test is used to screen the piriformis muscle and to detect tightness of the muscle or other discomforts of the sciatic nerve as it passes through or under the Piriformis muscle. Because this is a muscle and neurological test.
Symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency
Muscle pain (especially thighs and buttocks) Chronic widespread pain. Muscle stiffness (especially in the mornings) Weakness.
Orthopedic specialists diagnose and treat musculoskeletal conditions, including what causes pain in the buttocks. After an examination, a physician may recommend: Physical therapy for stretching, strengthening, and mobility. Imaging tests such as X-rays or MRIs to diagnose nerve, bone, or muscle injuries.
To relieve butt pain, use heat or ice, take OTC pain relievers, try gentle stretches like pigeon pose or figure-four stretches, use a sitz bath for anal pain, and rest; but if pain persists or worsens, see a doctor for potential underlying issues like sciatica or muscle strain.
Key Takeaways. Buttock pain can come from arthritis, nerve compression, or overuse. Sciatica is pain caused by compression of the sciatic nerve in the lower back. Osteoarthritis can cause a dull, aching pain in the hip and buttocks.
However, vitamin deficiencies in B12, D, and magnesium play a key role in sciatic pain and relief. If you've tried stretches, painkillers, or even therapy and found little to no relief, this could be your answer. A B12 vitamin deficiency, for example, leads to increased nerve pain and sciatica symptoms.
Arthritis frequently affects the low back and the sacroiliac joint, which connects the base of the spine to the hip joint. Often arthritis pain can mimic low-back or buttock pain.
Below are some examples of conditions often mistaken for sciatica:
Sciatica most commonly occurs in people between the ages of 30 and 50 years. It is pain that starts along your sciatic nerve and spreads down your buttock and the back of 1 thigh.
Lifestyle and home remedies
Dehydration and increased inflammation from alcohol can worsen sciatic pain over time. Instead, stick to water, herbal teas, or anti-inflammatory beverages like green tea to stay hydrated and support recovery.
Over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen sodium, as well as topical ointments and patches can help with pain relief, but don't discount the power of movement, says Christopher. In addition to routine aerobic exercise, try gentle stretching, yoga or a muscle massage.
Capsules of omega-3 fatty acids show some of the best evidence as anti-inflammatories.