Why Does My Butt Hurt? 6 Common Causes of Butt Pain

Whether your buttocks pain is caused by injury, muscle strain, or something more serious, this type of discomfort is fairly straightforward to treat and prevent.

Although avoiding butt pain completely may not always be possible, understanding the cause of this discomfort can help reduce it.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the various treatment options for the common causes of butt pain and the strategies you can implement to avoid future discomfort.

What is Butt Pain?

Buttocks pain mainly refers to the discomfort that develops in the butt, but it may also stretch to the lower back and cause leg or thigh pain.

This type of pain usually manifests as a sharp, dull, or throbbing sensation that may be accompanied by symptoms like swelling, redness, and difficulty moving.

Common Causes of Buttocks Pain

There are several factors that can contribute to discomfort and pain in the buttocks area, ranging from mild to severe. Let’s take a closer look at what these are.

Muscle strain

Muscle strain is one of the most common causes of mild to severe pain in the buttocks, typically resulting from overuse or injury to the piriformis muscle.

Activities that involve extensive running, jumping, or abrupt starts and stops can overly strain the gluteal muscles, leading to buttocks pain.

This discomfort can range from mild to severe, depending on the extent of the muscle strain.

Sciatica

Sciatica — or piriformis syndrome— is a condition characterized by pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which extends from the lower back through the hips and buttocks and down each leg.

It’s often caused by a herniated disk, bone spurs on the spine, or spinal stenosis (narrowing of the vertebrae) that compresses part of the nerve.

Symptoms of sciatica typically develop in the legs and buttocks and may include:

• Sharp or shooting pain
• Numbness
• Tingling sensations
• Leg pain

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids — which are swollen veins in the lower rectum or anus — can cause discomfort and pain in the buttocks area.

They may result from chronic constipation, straining during bowel movements, pregnancy, or sitting for long periods.

Symptoms of hemorrhoids include itching, discomfort, and bleeding during bowel movements.

Pilonidal cysts

A pilonidal cyst is an abnormal growth on the tailbone that contains hair and skin debris.

It can cause discomfort and swelling at the bottom of the spine, potentially causing infection, redness, pus formation, and intense, burning pain.

Pilonidal cysts may develop due to a combination of friction, ingrown hairs, and genetic factors, but the exact cause is unclear.

Lower back problems

Issues in the lower back — such as a herniated disc or spinal stenosis — can cause pain in the buttocks.

This happens when nerves are compressed or irritated, leading to pain in another location along their pathway, like the buttocks.

Infections

Infections — such as abscesses or cellulitis — can also cause radiating pain in the buttocks area.

These infections develop when bacteria enter the skin, often through cuts or abrasions. This can lead to swelling, redness, warmth, and buttock pain.

How is Buttocks Pain Diagnosed?

Diagnosing butt pain is usually done through self-assessment, especially when your discomfort is mild.

However, it’s important to understand when you might need a doctor’s opinion.

Self-diagnosis tips

When you’re trying to determine the cause of your butt pain, it’s important to take the following factors into consideration:

• Activity level: Reflect on any recent increase in physical activity or specific incidents that could have led to muscle strain. If your butt pain started after intense physical activity, that is most likely the cause of your discomfort.

• Symptom pattern: Observe if the discomfort is continuous or intermittent, and whether specific activities or positions worsen or relieve pain. Limit certain activities to see if this decreases the discomfort.

• Location and nature of pain: Identify the exact location of the pain and whether it is sharp, dull, radiating, or accompanied by tingling or numbness. This can help differentiate between causes like muscle strain, sciatica, or pilonidal cysts.

You should also be aware of any other symptoms that accompany your discomfort, such as:

• Changes in bowel movements, which could indicate hemorrhoids
• Changes in skin texture, which could suggest an infection or cyst

Warning signs to watch for

Although you can self-diagnose butt pain, experiencing any of the following signs or symptoms requires you to make an appointment with your doctor for a professional evaluation:

• Severe or debilitating pain
• Numbness or weakness
• Fever
• Swelling
• Chronic pain that persists for more than a few weeks without improvement
• Unexplained or unintentional weight loss

These symptoms could signal a serious underlying issue causing your discomfort that requires a professional diagnosis and treatment.

Treatment Options for Buttocks Pain

Home remedies

Home remedies may be effective in alleviating minor discomfort caused by muscle strain or overuse. These remedies may include:

• Rest and ice: Limiting physical activity and applying ice to the affected area for the first 48-72 hours after straining the muscle can help reduce pain and inflammation.

• Heat therapy: After the initial 72 hours, switching to heat therapy can help relax tight muscles and increase blood flow to the area to support the healing process.

• Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen can help reduce pain and inflammation.

• Stretching and strengthening exercises: Gentle stretching and strengthening exercises can help improve flexibility and reduce the risk of future pain.

• Proper posture and ergonomics: Adjusting your sitting and standing posture and ensuring an ergonomic work environment can prevent strain on the buttocks. This can aid in preventing tight muscles that lead to pain and discomfort.

Physical therapy

If your butt pain is due to conditions like sciatica or caused by lower back problems and muscle strain, physical therapy can be a great solution.

A physical therapist can design a personalized treatment plan to help you strengthen your muscles and reduce pain. This plan may also include:

• Targeted exercises that help strengthen the muscles in the buttocks, lower back, and core to support proper posture and alignment.

• Manual therapy like massages and mobilization to improve flexibility and reduce muscle tension.

• Pain management techniques such as ultrasound therapy, electrical stimulation, or heat and ice therapy to help reduce pain.

  Medications

If your butt pain is more severe or doesn’t improve with home remedies, your doctor may recommend medications for relief. These drugs may include:

• Prescription pain medications
• Muscle relaxants
• Topical treatments
• Antibiotics

Although these medications can help alleviate discomfort, they are short-term solutions and shouldn’t replace treatment options like physical therapy.

It’s also important to use these medications as directed to avoid potential side effects and addiction.

Surgery

In severe cases, your doctor may recommend surgery to help relieve buttock pain. This may involve procedures to treat the following:

• Sciatica: If it is caused by a herniated disk or spinal stenosis that does not improve with treatment, surgery might be required to relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve.

• Pilonidal cysts: Recurrent or severe pilonidal cysts may need surgical removal to prevent further infections.

• Severe muscle or tendon injuries: Although rare, significant tears might require reattachment surgeries to mend them correctly.

Can Butt Pain Be Prevented?

While not all causes of butt pain can be prevented, there are several strategies you can implement to reduce your risk of discomfort.

These can be particularly helpful for minimizing pain related to muscle strain, overuse, and other common issues, and may include:

• Exercising more regularly
• Properly warming up before exercises and cooling down afterward
• Ensuring proper form when lifting weights
• Incorporating stretching exercises into your daily routine
• Paying attention to your posture
• Creating a more ergonomic workspace
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Following a balanced diet
• Wearing supportive shoes

In addition to these strategies, you can also schedule routine check-ups with your healthcare provider to help identify and manage any underlying conditions.

These check-ups are also important for addressing any conditions as early as possible and preventing a significant negative impact on your daily life.

Where Can You Learn More About Pain Management?

If you’re concerned about your butt pain or want to know more about any discomfort you’re experiencing, LifeMD is here to help.

A team of medical professionals can assist you with information and provide guidance on managing butt pain while avoiding any complications.

Make an appointment with LifeMD today to learn more about butt pain care — all from the comfort of your home.