Please read the following post from Boulder Sports Performance's sponsor, Premier Acupuncture of Boulder:
IT Band Syndrome (often called Runner’s Knee), is one of the most common sports repetitive injuries, especially in Boulder, where we are active year round. Acupuncture can be highly effective at treating IT Band Syndrome AND a dynamic alternative to the typical Cortisone shot given.
The Iliotibial Band is a continuation of the Tensor Fascia Lata Muscle. On the lower Femur (thigh bone), the IT Band naturally moves across a bony nub called the Lateral Femoral Condyle about 2-4 cm above the knee joint. This is a natural movement & is supposed to happen. However, as with runners, this motion & friction happens repetitively which causes inflammation, pain and tenderness.
Symptoms can range from pain that is mild and nagging to very acute and debilitating during a flare up. The focus of pain can extend from a stinging sensation just above the knee to encompass the entire length of the IT Band along the outer thigh. Over time, the tissue can thicken due to constant irritation and chronic inflammation. This will increase the pain level which will, consequently, shorten the IT Band as well (causing even more irritation).
Acupuncture, especially when combined with electrical-stimulation, is a dynamically successful treatment for IT Band Syndrome. This procedure is designed to decrease the local inflammation, increase blood flow to the area to nourish the tissues and heal. Also, to relax the local muscles & tendons AND to decrease the overall pain. There are also wonderful herbal formulas designed to help keep an athlete's tendons more supple and healthy.
Of course, no treatment will have much success if the patient or athlete continues to injure themselves in training, so certain steps can AND should be taken by the athlete to insure greater success:
- Decrease your running or biking mileage & apply ice after training
- Try running on an even surface
- Avoid tracks or trails that have your foot constantly tilted in one direction
- Put your legs up at night
- Sitting on a typical chair with your legs flexed can further irritate
- Running downhill is to be avoided at all costs as this aggravates the pain, which is most intense at heel strike
- Look into proper fitting arch supports or orthotics
- Stretch, stretch, & stretch more
- Roll out your IT Band on a firm foam roller before & after exercise
You might also consider progressing from a standard foam roller to a RumbleRoller. It gets deeper into the tissue and provides more relief for some people.
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