How to Relieve Buttock Muscle Pain Effectively

When buttock muscles feel tight or uncomfortable, it can affect daily movement. Biofreeze® Canada explains what causes buttock pain and offers simple ways to relieve it and restore comfort.
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This article has been medically reviewed for accuracy

Man suffering lower back pain while holding his back

Muscles are the foundation of strength, balance, and daily movement, enabling us to walk, lift, stay active, and sit. Among all movement issues, the buttock muscles are crucial for maintaining posture and stability. When these muscles weaken or hurt, it affects balance, mobility, and overall daily comfort.

When your buttocks ache, even simple activities can become tough, often making people wonder, Why does my buttock hurt? However, pain can take many forms, sometimes as a sharp stab, sometimes as a dull ache, or even as tingling that travels down the legs.

Additionally, when such discomfort becomes constant, it can turn into a persistent ache or even sharp pain in the buttocks, indicating that these important muscles are strained or affected by deeper issues.

In simple terms, sore buttocks refer to any discomfort in the gluteal area, from mild soreness to radiating pain down the leg. Common triggers include muscle overuse, prolonged sitting, sciatica, joint issues, or other underlying conditions. These are some of the most common causes of sore buttocks that people experience.

Worry not, Biofreeze® Canada is here to guide you about the causes, symptoms, and effective relief methods for buttock muscle pain, helping you move freely and feel better again.

What is buttock pain?

Our body is made up of nearly 40% muscle, which is essential for movement, strength, and support. Muscles are soft tissues that contract and relax to help us walk, sit, lift, and do daily activities.

Due to frequent use, muscles are prone to strain and discomfort, resulting in various types of body pain. One common issue is buttock pain, which occurs when the gluteal muscles or nearby nerves are stressed, overused, or irritated.

For example, extended periods of sitting, improper heavy lifting, or conditions like sciatica can cause sharp or dull pain in the buttock area.

Symptoms of buttock pain

Buttock pain can feel different for everyone because it has many possible causes. The intensity, location, and type of pain often vary depending on the underlying problem. Common symptoms of buttock pain.

  • A dull or stiff aching sensation, often associated with arthritis.
  • Discomfort that worsens with sitting, standing, or walking may indicate piriformis syndrome or joint issues.
  • Tingling or numbness in the leg is often caused by nerve conditions such as sciatica.
  • Pain that shoots or radiates down the leg is commonly associated with both sciatica and piriformis syndrome.
  • Weakness in the hip or legs, possibly due to disc problems or bursitis.

  • Swelling and tenderness are often related to bursitis.

Causes of buttock pain

Buttock pain occurs when the muscles or surrounding areas become stressed or irritated, and it can lead to various issues. Some common causes include:

1. Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a joint condition where the smooth cartilage cushioning the bones wears down over time. Without this protective layer, the bones grind against each other, causing stiffness, swelling, and pain. It usually develops gradually with age, though injuries can accelerate its progression and onset.

When the hip joint is affected, activities like walking or bending put extra strain on the damaged joint. This pressure results in a dull pain that can radiate into the buttocks, making everyday tasks like climbing stairs or standing for extended periods feel painful and exhausting.

2. Sciatica

Sciatica happens when the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the body, gets irritated or compressed. It starts in the lower back and goes through the buttocks, extending down each leg. Causes include herniated discs, spinal narrowing, or tight muscles pressing on the nerve.

While the nerve is compressed, pain signals travel along its path like sparks on a wire. The buttock becomes a painful checkpoint, often with tingling or numbness shooting down the leg. Sitting for long hours or sudden twists can intensify discomfort and make it harder to ignore.

3. Herniated discs

A herniated disc occurs when one of the cushions between the spine bones tears, allowing its soft inner material to leak out. This bulging material can press on nearby spinal nerves, causing irritation and inflammation.

When a herniated disc occurs in the lower back, it presses on nerves connected to the buttocks. This causes pain that radiates from the spine into the buttocks and sometimes down the leg, making sitting, bending, or lifting heavy objects especially painful.

4. Trauma

Trauma refers to injuries from accidents, sports, or falls that damage the muscles, bones, or joints in the buttocks area. These injuries can vary from minor bruises and sprains to more serious dislocations and fractures.

When trauma affects the buttocks, it results in swelling, stiffness, and sharp localized pain. Even after the initial injury, movements such as walking, bending, or sitting can cause discomfort, as the healing tissues remain sensitive and sore.

5. Hamstring tendonitis

Hamstring tendonitis is inflammation of the tendons that connect the hamstring muscles to the pelvis. It often results from repetitive activities, such as running, weightlifting, or sports, that put stress on the back of the thigh.

The inflammation causes soreness where the tendons attach at the bottom of the buttocks. Athletes often feel pain when sitting on hard surfaces, sprinting, or stretching, as each movement pulls on the irritated tendon.

Hip bursitis

Hip bursitis occurs when the bursae, small fluid-filled sacs that cushion muscles and bones, become inflamed. Repetitive motion, prolonged pressure, or overuse are common causes or triggers of these conditions.

When bursitis occurs near the hip, the pain can radiate into the buttocks. Trochanteric bursitis causes aching in the side of the buttock, while iliopsoas bursitis results in pain near the groin. Simple activities, such as lying on one side, walking, or climbing stairs, can provoke a flare-up of soreness.

How to soothe buttock pain after activity?

Biofreeze® Canada relieves buttock pain by delivering menthol to the skin, which creates a cooling sensation. This effect eases discomfort, reduces inflammation, supports quicker recovery, and helps you stay active.

For buttock pain relief after activity, we recommend using Biofreeze® Pain Relief Gel*, which provides a fast-acting cooling sensation that penetrates deeply into tired muscles. It is ideal to apply to both small and large areas because it targets spots that ache after a strain or prolonged sitting.

When you are on the go, the Biofreeze® Pain Relief Roll-On* offers a mess-free and hands-free application. With its long-lasting cooling effect, it helps calm soreness while the convenient roller design ensures precise, targeted coverage anytime.

Additionally, for persistent buttocks ache that lingers, the Biofreeze® Pain Relief Patches* deliver up to 8 hours of continuous cooling relief. These mess-free Secure and mess-free, these patches are ideal for recovery, helping you stay active and comfortable while easing buttock pain throughout the day.


*To be sure this product is right for you, always read and follow the label.

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This article has been medically reviewed for accuracy

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