There’s yet another reason to get up off of that couch.Ohio State University researchers are warning of a new ailment they call “Dormant Butt Syndrome.”
“It basically refers to the gluteus-maximus — or the glute muscles — just not functioning as efficiently as they should,” says Dr. Chris Kolba, a physical therapist at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center.
Kolba says the muscles in your behind are meant to support the rest of you and be a shock absorber. But when those muscles are too weak, the rest of your body tries to pick up the slack, which can cause back, hip and even knee pain.
The cure, he says, is to stay flexible and keep moving.
“Stretching the front of your thigh, stretching your hip flexor and then doing exercises to specifically activate the glutes and the lateral hips as well,” Kolba explains.
And avoid sitting too long or sleeping in the fetal position.