Physical therapist blames 'Dormant Butt Syndrome' for chronic knee, hip and back pain... recommends strengthening exercises for your behind

Monday, July 04, 2016 by: Daniel Barker
Tags: Dormant Butt Syndrome, back pain, knee injuries

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(NaturalNews) If you are suffering from knee, hip or back pain, it may be caused by a condition that an Ohio State University physical therapist has dubbed "Dormant Butt Syndrome," or DBS.

According to Dr. Chris Kolba, the physical therapist at OSU's Wexner Medical Center who coined the term, Dormant Butt Syndrome refers to a condition caused by weak gluteal muscles (the muscles in your butt), which forces other muscles to compensate for the role the glutes normally play as a sort of shock absorber for the body.

In a video released by the Wexner Medical Center, Dr. Kolba described the condition:

"It basically refers to the gluteus maximus or the glute muscles just not functioning as efficiently as they should.

"The entire body works as a linked system, and a lot of times when people come in with knee or hip injuries, it's actually because their butt isn't strong enough.

"The rear end should act as support for the entire body and as a shock absorber for stress during exercise.

"But if it's too weak, other parts of the body take up the slack and often results in injury."

What causes 'Dormant Butt Syndrome?'

The causes of DBS include sitting for too long, sleeping in the wrong position and not performing the right types of stretches and strength training techniques while exercising.

"Sitting for periods throughout the day weakens the gluteal muscles and puts strain on other parts of our core, as does sleeping in the foetal position," said Dr. Kolba.

DBS can lead to serious injuries that may even require surgery. One of Kolba's clients, Jennifer Ernst, began experiencing knee pain during marathon training.

"I continued to run, thinking that it would just go away," said Ernst. "But then eventually the pain got so severe that I couldn't run. It was a stabbing pain in my knee."

An MRI showed a tear in the cartilage of Ernst's knee, which required surgery, but Kolba believes the root of the problem was related to the gluteals.

Ernst notes that she previously believed running was enough to maintain the strength of her gluteal muscles, but now recognizes the importance of cross-training and strength training.

How to avoid DBS

Proper stretching before and after exercise is also crucial, said Dr. Kolba. He stressed that the key to avoiding DBS is "stretching the front of your thigh, stretching your hip flexor, and then doing some exercises to specifically activate the glutes and the lateral hips as well."

If you sit for too long or sleep in the wrong position, simply walking or moving around may cause pain because of muscle imbalances.

For those who remain seated for long periods of the day, stretching and going for a walk can help in keeping the gluteal muscles in shape.

"The important thing is keeping your hips mobile and loose through stretching and flexibility exercises," said Kolba. "And then doing specific exercises to strengthen the glutes such as squats, bridges and lunges."

Whether you're chained to a desk all day or training for a marathon, proper stretching and the right kind of flexibility exercises are crucial for remaining pain- and injury-free. Taking up a discipline such as yoga is a fantastic way for both gym rats and those who don't get enough exercise to keep their bodies (including butts) in stretched and limber shape.

Many yoga poses are highly effective at activating and strengthening the glutes, but remember to move into each position slowly to avoid overstretching. This applies to any sort of stretching exercise; be careful not to overdo it, especially if you're not used to doing regular stretches.

Sources:

DailyMail.co.uk

WashingtonTimes.com

DoYouYoga.com

Science.NaturalNews.com