Tightness in the rear end - Not the good kind

For about the past month now I've experienced a 'tight' feeling deep in the side of my rear end (right side only) and can't seem to work it out.

It doesn't hurt. At best it's just a wierd sensation, and at worst, it is a yucky feeling, kind of like after getting a shot in the tush, and just a bit uncomfortable. It's similar to the tight feeling one would get before it turns into a cramp, but it never actually goes that far.

I notice it mostly on the bike when I'm in a good stretched out position and in the drops and using a far amount of power from the area in my spinning. But I also notice it faintly when I'm off the bike also.

I can't figure out if it's a muscle, tendon, or ligament.. if I messed something up in the area, or if I just need to find a stretch to work it out. Help!

Does anyone have an idea of what it might be or how to get rid of it? I don't want whatever it is to progress and start causing pain.

Here's a picture of the relative area. I've marked it in blue, with the circle being the most acute part of the tightness, which extends mostly downwards

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u.../Tightness.jpg

I had the same problem. If it is the same thing this stretch will hit it in just the right place...

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Originally Posted by meridian

I can't figure out if it's a muscle, tendon, or ligament.. if I messed something up in the area, or if I just need to find a stretch to work it out. Help!

Does anyone have an idea of what it might be or how to get rid of it? I don't want whatever it is to progress and start causing pain.

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It probably is something that you can stretch out. A PT could advise you on which muscle it is and a specific stretch to target it. Also, a deep tissue massage from a really good massage therapist can do wonders.

When I've got a tightness the first thing I usually do is just start stretching my hips and legs any way that I can imagine and figure out which one hurts the most. :rolleyes:

I get a burning sensation in the butt cheek, near the hip, and my massage therapist said it was the piriformis. She suggested I lay on the floor with a tennis ball under that spot to help stretch the muscles and to stimulate the endorphins. I found this helps me as it is difficult to find the right way to isolate it and stretch to make it feel better.

Here's a website with information about the piriformis:http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/spra...piriformis.htm