To prevent “fat wallet syndrome,” avoid tucking your wallet into a back pocket and sitting on it. The wallet can irritate the sciatic nerve in the buttock, either directly by putting pressure on the nerve or indirectly by irritating the piriformis muscle that the nerve runs immediately under. An irritated piriformis can tighten or spasm and so put pressure on the nerve.
Either way, once symptoms develop, sitting for long periods (with or without that wallet in the pocket), climbing stairs, performing repetitive activities like running or walking, lifting heavy objects, and sustaining an injury to the area may trigger pain deep in the buttocks or sciatica symptoms.
If you experience fat wallet syndrome, symptoms may subside on their own if you avoid whatever elicits the pain until you’re feeling better. Gently stretching the area may help. You can also try an OTC pain reliever such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen. If the pain is severe or doesn’t improve, see your doctor. The National Academy of Sports Medicine provides a variety of piriformis stretches. Other stretching exercises can be found here and here.
