Think twice before you suck in your tummy for a picture-perfect pose. The habitual holding in of the stomach, called hourglass syndrome, may cause severe damage to your organs.

Although it is not a disease or an official medical diagnosis, health experts strongly advise people to avoid the habit of stomach gripping as it may result in undesired consequences over time.

What happens if you suck in your tummy?

While you suck within the stomach, the rectus abdominis or the abs muscles tighten up. Nonetheless, because the lower tummy has more fat, these muscles must work more. Eventually, the repeated posture creates a fold or crease within the abdomen and even pulls the belly button upward. The compression attributable to the posture reduces the space for abdominal organs and increases pressure on the joints of the spine and pelvic floor muscles.

Causes of hourglass syndrome

1. Poor posture – It could cause changes within the spine’s natural curvature and cause tension within the abdominal muscles.

2. Negative body image – Societal pressure and negative body image may force an individual to suck within the stomach to look thin. When the actions get repeated for a very long time, it may “rewire” the brain to make it a natural pattern.

3. Congenital conditions – Certain congenital conditions reminiscent of gastroschisis or omphalocele may cause imbalance resulting from the abnormal development of muscles.

4. Abdominal pain – Some people develop the habit of stomach gripping after injury, as a voluntary or involuntary defense mechanism to scale back pain.

Health issues

The health issues don’t occur when an individual occasionally sucks the stomach in but only when the habit gets continued for a protracted period.

1. Lower back pain – Consistent overworking of muscles on the lower back resulting from the increased pressure on the pelvic muscles and damage to the diaphragm may cause back pain.

2. Neck pain and headaches – When the diaphragm gets damaged, it affects respiratory. This increases strain on the muscles of the neck and causes neck pain and migraine.

3. Respiratory issues – Stomach gripping cuts down the oxygen intake by around 30% because it reduces the space for the lungs to expand.

4. Acid reflux disorder – Diaphragm also functions to forestall the reverse flow of stomach contents back to the throat. The damage to it increases acid reflux disease.

Hourglass syndrome could be treated by breaking the habit and learning proper respiratory techniques.

Published by Medicaldaily.com