Gluteal amnesia giving you a numb bum!?
We have probably all heard of amnesia of the brain – right!? Turns out, there is such a thing as gluteal amnesia, also known as dead butt syndrome!
What is gluteal amnesia?
The clinical term for this condition is gluteus medius tendinopathy, though it is also referred to as gluteal amnesia or dead butt syndrome.
If you spend hours a day sitting and not getting up frequently to stand or walk around, you may have already experienced this condition.
As you might expect from dead butt syndrome, the condition results from the gluteal muscles literally “forgetting” their main purpose, which is to support the pelvis and to keep the body in proper alignment.
The muscles aren’t actually dead as the common name suggests; however, they are deconditioned and are not activating efficiently, you need to be aware that this odd-sounding condition can lead to other problems if not taken seriously!
If you have gluteal amnesia the rest of your body may pay for it!
The gluteal muscles – a group of muscles that make up the buttocks help power us through so many activities, from walking and carrying heavy things, to performing both cardio and strength exercises.
When the glutes loose strength other muscle groups in the back and lower body are forced to take on the extra work to compensate, setting you up for issues such as low back, knee, and hip pain. It can also lead to muscle imbalances throughout the whole body and leave you susceptible to injury!
Symptoms of gluteal amnesia.
After sitting for a long time, the buttock muscles can feel numb or even a little sore, however walking around and some mild stretches can bring them back to life fairly quickly.
In more serious cases this condition can cause pain and stiffness elsewhere. You could experience pain in one or both hips, low back, and knees. Pain may even shoot down the leg.
Effects of gluteal amnesia.
Dead butt syndrome can cause problems in other areas of the body. Weakness in the buttock muscles has been associated with dysfunctions such as: –
- Anterior knee pain.
- Ankle sprains.
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.
- Balance issues.
- Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), causing friction and wear and tear that could lead to osteoarthritis or the need for hip replacement.
- Foot pain.
- Hamstring strains.
- Inflammation in one or both hip joints.
- Low back pain.
- Risk of other injuries.
Treating gluteal amnesia.
The proper treatment for this condition will depend on how far it has progressed. For most people, the usual treatment involves a break from your exercise or sports routine. In serious cases, your Chiropractor and/or massage therapist may be necessary.
Your Chiropractor may introduce you to flexibility and strengthening exercises that you can do at home whilst a deep tissue or sports massage may be of help.
Prevention is better than cure!
The simplest preventive strategy for this condition is to break lengthy periods of sitting with periodic walks. Going up and down stairs can be particularly helpful.
If you need a reminder, set a timer on your phone or computer to alert you every hour or half hour. The movement will stimulate blood flow to the tight areas and help to dispel that “amnesia”!
On a final note………
Sitting for extended periods can cause the buttock muscles to weaken and hip flexors to overtighten. This can lead to gluteal amnesia, in which the muscles and joints are working inefficiently, making other muscles and areas of the body overcompensate. This in turn can lead to injuries and pain in areas of the body such as back, hips and knees.
To help prevent this condition in the first place, avoid spending lengthy periods of time sitting without breaks. If you have a lifestyle that requires you to sit for a long time, get up and move even a little bit at least once an hour, but ideally every 20 minutes.
Exercises that strengthen the buttocks and core muscles and that stretch the hip flexors can help.
Always check with your Chiropractor before starting any exercise programme, as proper technique is especially important for safety and efficacy.
If you would like some further information or to speak to a member of our team please call us on: Hitchin 01462 420077 or Luton 01582 579687, alternatively e-mail us at: hitchin@healesclinics.com or luton@healesclinics.com