Your piriformis is tight from clenching.
Why this matters:
One method of standing up tall is squeezing your butt. This extends the hip and helps you straighten out your spine while standing. It is particularly helpful if you have a tendency to stick your butt out or have an anterior pelvic tilt. However, squeezing your buttocks too aggressively and for too long can result in a spasm of the piriformis. Remember, the sciatic nerve runs right below your piriformis. If that muscle spasms, it can create pain that radiates down your leg, and buttock pain.
Action steps:
Ask yourself, “Am I squeezing my butt when standing?” The sheer awareness of this question will help normalize the tension and minimize the chances for a spasm.
