IT band pain treatment
Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) is a common injury for runners and bicyclists and occurs as a result of overuse. The IT Band runs along the outside of your hip and down to your knees, acting as a knee stabilizer. When your IT band rubs against the outside of the knee joint as the knee flexes and extends, inflammation and pain occurs. When IT band pain is present, it’s important to pinpoint the source and reason for the pain.
Where is my IT band pain coming from?
Causes of ITBS may be multifactorial and may include poor form and mechanics, muscle imbalances in the body, improper foot biomechanics, or a lack of flexibility in the lower back, pelvis, hips, or knees. ITBS is commonly mistaken to be just a knee injury because it occurs on the outside of the knee and swelling is present in this area, but it is typically a combination of a number of issues throughout structures in the lower extremity.
When should I seek IT band pain treatment?
If you feel pain on the outside of your knee when you bend and rotate it inwards to 45 degrees, it is likely that you have IT Band Syndrome. Other symptoms may include swelling and tenderness around the knee area. It’s a good idea to seek out IT Band pain treatment as soon as symptoms arise so that you can begin a treatment regimen before the condition worsens. If ignored, IT Band Syndrome can lead to scarring, decreased knee range of motion and even more pain and inflammation.
How can physical therapy help with my IT band pain?
When you work with a physical therapist to combat IT Band Syndrome, they’ll first take you through a full body examination to analyze your lower back, legs, hips, knees, and ankles to pinpoint potential causes of pain. Physical therapists have many tools in their “toolbox” and may incorporate other techniques such as:
• Manual Therapy: Skilled, hands-on techniques to remove restrictions, improve range of motion, and to locate trigger points that may be present in the glutes and hips.
• Custom Exercises: Strengthening and mobility exercises to develop more efficient movement patterns and to treat inflammation. Hip strengthening exercises specifically may be used to strengthen the gluteus medius.
• Sports-specific movement analysis: Retraining movement patterns to prevent re-injury and improve performance in your sport.
Physical therapists can provide the necessary tools for IT band pain treatment, allowing you to return to your favorite activities pain-free and better than ever! To learn more about how to prevent IT band syndrome or to eliminate any current discomfort, book a physical therapy assessment today.
“After a handful of months trying to deal with an IT band injury on my own and not getting any healthier, I decided physical therapy was the answer. Within one session I was not only given the tools to heal myself on my own but also treated by Therapydia’s wonderful staff. I now know what caused my injury and what tools I can use to take care of my body because of Therapydia. I cannot recommend enough.”
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