The name might make you snicker, but addressing “gluteal amnesia” can help you avoid chronic pain.

“The name sounds silly, but the side effects are serious,” said Jane Konidis, a specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. “The gluteus maximus is one of the strongest muscles in the body and biggest shock absorbers,” she said. “If it’s not working properly, it can cause a domino chain of issues, from hamstring tears and sciatica to shin splints and arthritis in the knees.”

Gluteal amnesia happens when the muscles in your rear become so weak from inactivity they seem to forget how to function — meaning they fail or become slow to activate. This is different than a leg or arm “falling asleep” because of a compressed nerve; you won’t feel pins and needles. Some people may feel a dull ache while sitting, but most people don’t feel any pain until they go for a jog or hike.