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Are you experiencing leg pain that runs from your hip to your knee? It could be iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS).
Iliotibial band syndrome is caused when friction against the knee or hip bones aggravates the Iliotibial band. The Iliotibial band is a tendon on the exterior side of the leg that runs from the top of your hip to your knee.
Common symptoms that might indicate ITBS include:
- Pain ranging from the outer knee to the upper hip.
- A clicking or grinding in the knee.
- Pain in these areas that gets worse with activity.
Runner’s leg, as it is commonly called, is just one example of how ITBS can manifest.
Is IT Band Syndrome Permanent?
While painful and inconvenient, ITBS does not have to last forever. Proper treatment combined with physical rest can usually alleviate the symptoms within a few months. Proper treatment, in this case, means physical therapy, as one would expect after most injuries of this type, and includes a variety of approaches.
At East Bay Chiropractic Wellness, we have found the Graston Technique®, one of our specialties and a proven treatment modality, extremely useful in speeding recovery from IT band injuries. Graston Technique® therapy is a pain management approach that fights inflammation in the affected area’s soft tissues to lessen (or even completely eliminate) pain.
How Do You Graston® a Tight IT Band?
The instruments used in Graston Technique Therapy® utilize shear force – as in the force that moves across the surface of the muscles in much the same fashion as air moves over the wing of an airliner – to move the upper fascial layer of the musculature across the lower layer of fascial tissue. This movement pulls out the adhesions and knots and breaks up the clumps of tissue causing the pain. These techniques used on the IT band work to smooth out the twists and knots in the tendon, reduce the pain, and help to restore full range of motion.
Can the IT Band Have Knots?
Another frequently encountered ailment is Iliotibial band contracture. The fascial fibers of the musculature have knotted or twisted in such a way that they cause a shortening of the muscles in question. This results in feelings of tightening or tension in the muscles. A 2012 study by Logan University concluded that using “Graston Technique on Iliotibial Band Syndrome resulted in a decrease in subjective symptoms and an improvement in muscle function.”
East Bay Chiropractic Wellness Can Help Alleviate the Physical Symptoms of ITBS.
Iliotibial band syndrome can rob you of your joy in physical activity, but there is hope. At East Bay Chiropractic, we use various approaches tailored to each individual’s specific needs, including the Graston Technique®, IT band scraping, and others. Contact East Bay Chiropractic or call (516) 679-2225 today, and let’s begin exploring your options for pain relief!
