We're hearing more and more about it, but what is Dead Butt Syndrome? No, rest assured, your buttocks won't suddenly give up the ghost! But sitting for long hours every day can have unexpected consequences for your well-being (and your buttocks). As a brand that puts women's health at the heart of everything we do, we explain how to detect and, above all, how to wake up those sleeping muscles!
What is dead-butt syndrome?
It's simple: by staying glued to a chair (we understand, telecommuting has its good points), our gluteal muscles go into pause mode. Which means they don't contract as much as they should. And since the gluteus maximus and its friends the gluteus medius and minimus are there to stabilize the pelvis and absorb shocks, they end up "forgetting" how to move properly. The result? Lower back pain, stiff hips, heavy legs... and sometimes even unexpected leakage during our periods, due to weakened posture. Nobody wants that, do they?
Why is it a problem (especially for us women)?
Dead-butt syndrome isn't just a comfort issue; it can also have repercussions all over the body, especially during menstruation. During our periods, lower back and pelvic pain are often the order of the day, and if on top of that our glutes are too lazy to do their job of stabilizing us, it's a double whammy! A little muscular weakness, and we're left with a backache that lasts all day. Yes, we know, it's really not what we need...
How can you tell if it's you?
Here are a few tell-tale signs:
- You feel discomfort or pain in the lower back after sitting for a long time (inactive glutes force the lumbar spine to compensate).
- You have difficulty getting up or walking after prolonged sitting.
- Your glutes contract with difficulty when you do exercises (yes, the wobbly squat!).
But don't panic! It's perfectly possible to wake up those lazy muscles and prevent them from sinking into total lethargy.
Elia's tips for waking up your buttocks... and boosting your well-being
We won't tell you to run a marathon, we promise. Here are a few easy habits to incorporate into your daily routine:
- Get up, get moving, walk! Every hour, take a break to take a few steps. Fetch a glass of water, stretch out, or walk around the living room. In short, anything to avoid being glued to your chair.
- Express exercises to do between meetings: the buttock bridge (lying on your back, lift your hips), or forward lunges and leg stretches. These movements gently reactivate the gluteal muscles.
- Vary your sitting positions: use an ergonomic seat cushion, or opt for a sit-stand desk. Varying sitting positions reduces pressure on the pelvis and stimulates blood circulation.
- Choose clothes that breathe: our Elia menstrual briefs, made from skin-friendly organic cotton, are ideal for avoiding uncomfortable compressions and promoting greater comfort, even during your period!
The link with menstruation (yes, we're getting there)
Dead-butt syndrome doesn't just affect athletes who don't warm up or chronic sedentary people. During menstruation, the body changes, and a sedentary lifestyle combined with hormonal variations can accentuate tension in the lower back and pelvic area. Our gluteal muscles, already lazy, become even more so, which helps neither our posture nor our general well-being. But don't panic: a few exercises, a bit of movement, and your buttocks are back in top shape!
So get up, get moving, and say goodbye to gluteal amnesia! You'll see, your buttocks will thank you, and maybe even your period pains will become less noticeable.
Taking care of our muscles also means taking care of our intimate health.
