Why Are Piriformis Trigger Points Different from Sciatic Pain? 👉 When trigger points in the piriformis muscle become irritated or inflamed, they can cause pain that radiates to the lower back, buttocks, and down the back of the leg. 👉 Sciatic pain, or sciatica, is a broader term that refers to symptoms caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back through the buttocks and down the leg. 👉 Piriformis trigger points result from muscle tension and irrita