Are Your Glutes Sleeping on the Job?

Because a majority of us sit behind a desk all day, our glutes are asleep. Much like the phrase "use it or lose it", our brain forgets that our booty muscles are there. When we perform movements or exercises that would normally utilize our glutes, other muscles have to step in and compensate for the sleeping giant. What does this mean for overall function of our body? It means that smaller muscles are placed under a great deal of stress in order to keep our body performing as optimally as possible. At some point, those accessory muscles can't keep up and we start to experience a variety of symptoms.

Some of the most common symptoms associated with weak glutes include:

- Low back pain and instability

- Hamstring strains

- Knee Pain

- Hip Pain

- Chronic ankle instability

So what can you do to wake your booty up? There are a variety of exercises that target the glutes and help to re-establish the connection between your brain and your behind. Examples of these exercises include single-leg squats and single-leg Romanian deadlifts. It is important to make sure your form is correct when performing these exercise, so it is best to utilize the guidance of a trained professional when first starting out. 

Another important step to turning on your glutes is to visit your family wellness chiropractor. Chiropractors directly influence the function of nerves by ensuring that the spine and pelvis are moving properly. When a nerve is functioning optimally, the brain is better able to communicate to muscles and every other part of the body.

To find out whether your symptoms are related to weak glute muscles, schedule an appointment with Dr. Nikki at Renew & Restore Wellness today!