We have a member who did the tennis ball thing for years with limited relief. One day, she mentioned the pain to her gynocologist, who did  an ultrasound. Turns out the pressure on the nerve was from endometriosis (scar tissue) in the abdomen. I think she had laproscopic surgery to remove the tissue.

Another member discovered through physical therapy that after multiple abdomenal surgeries she  had effectively stopped using my lower abs to support my core, relying instead entirely on her back/glutes/piriformis thus causing the piriformis pain. With appropriate PT, she became pain free.

If the tennis ball & stretching have not helped by now, it is probably time to look for alternatives.

The fact you got some temporary relief from forceful acupressure  suggests you are a good candidate for some types of soft tissue bodywork.  ART  and Myofascial Release Therapy are the types bodywork, which have been most helpful to members. However, these techniques do not work for everyone, especially with with a lot of scar tissue from falls. (See our “ Recommeded list of Drs & PTs” in the Files section and“Soft Tissues Therapies” folder   and/or 

 “Active Release Technique (ART) “ in the Links section. 

The pins & needles sensations are caused by pressure on the nerve(s). The hip/leg sensations are caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve and the pelvis/anal sensations are caused by pressure on the pudenal nerve. The question is “what is causing the pressure?”. In some cases,  it is a result of muscle inbalance within the pelvis. In other cases, it is scar tissue. Or a combination of both.

Anyway, your symptoms  suggest you are on the way to developing pevlic floor problems & pain. There are females PTs that specilize in treating  chronic pelvic pain. See

www.womenshealthapta.org/plp/locator/index.cfm?Section=Search

Search the archives for postings by Tiff.

It is possible there is a complex interplay of muscles that is giving you more than just piriformis syndrome. Finding a manual therapist or PT who can peel back the layers of pain, muscle inbalance & possible scar tissue might be helpful. But these peope are hard to find.

I, also,  do not understand why your doctor does not consider you a candidate for  surgery. We have had several members with intractable pain, who have benefited from the complex type of surgery that Dr. Filler does. (see folder in Files)

Good luck, Mary