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Serious IT Band issues

I have a new client with the "worst" IT band tension I've ever experienced in a client. He has fallen on his knee several times. At times his knee/leg is so painful he needs help to walk. He is 20 years old and I am encouraging him to take care of this now! I had him get one of The Sticks (aka "Klingon Pain Stick" - anyone who has used one will probably know what I mean!) which he is using lightly twice a week. His quads are also extremely tight. Has anyone dealt with something like this before, and do you have any suggestions for what I can do? Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Boris Prilutsky on April 2, 2011 at 1:45pm

Hi Therese.

ITB is actually severing tensor fascia latae muscles as well as gluteus maximus muscles as a tendon. As you have described tension at ITB it's most likely results of tension with in tensor fascia latae muscles as well as gluteus maximus muscles.I would recommend to mobilize this muscles including addressing trigger points, fascia mobilization ect.of course it is very important to address ITB directly.tensor fascia latae muscles syndrome is a very common phenomenon due to sports related injuries. For many years I worked with Olympians and used to treat this disorder. as you described quads tension you also have to address it.good positive experiences showed that massage is affected in this cases.

Best wishes.

Boris.

www.medicalmassage-edu.com

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Permalink Reply by Darcy Neibaur on April 2, 2011 at 2:17pm

I stretch my IT Bands every morning and every night. I lie on my back on the bed. Bend knee and pull up to the chest than pull bent knee toward the oposite shoulder. Do this several times and then do the oposite IT Band. Best IT Band stretch that has ever been given to me and so simple.

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Permalink Reply by Therese Schwartz on April 2, 2011 at 3:23pm

Thank you Boris! That is very helpful. I appreciate the help!

Boris Prilutsky said:

Hi Therese.

ITB is actually severing tensor fascia latae muscles as well as gluteus maximus muscles as a tendon. As you have described tension at ITB it's most likely results of tension with in tensor fascia latae muscles as well as gluteus maximus muscles.I would recommend to mobilize this muscles including addressing trigger points, fascia mobilization ect.of course it is very important to address ITB directly.tensor fascia latae muscles syndrome is a very common phenomenon due to sports related injuries. For many years I worked with Olympians and used to treat this disorder. as you described quads tension you also have to address it.good positive experiences showed that massage is affected in this cases.

Best wishes.

Boris.

www.medicalmassage-edu.com

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Permalink Reply by Therese Schwartz on April 2, 2011 at 3:24pm

That really is simple! I think he should be able to manage that one. :) I will give that one to all my clients with IT Band issues. Thanks!

Darcy Neibaur said:

I stretch my IT Bands every morning and every night. I lie on my back on the bed. Bend knee and pull up to the chest than pull bent knee toward the oposite shoulder. Do this several times and then do the oposite IT Band. Best IT Band stretch that has ever been given to me and so simple.

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Permalink Reply by Jody C. Hutchinson on April 5, 2011 at 9:39am

I recently read an article by Whitney Lowe, in Massage Today, about new dissection findings concerning the ITB. I believe the article states that the ITB is attached to the lateral femur and the bursae at the tibia is not identified. This seems to concur with what I have found after years of trying to find a way to stretch said ITB. The best stretch I have found is the yoga posture called the Pidgeon. A foam roller works well but is quite painful at first.

So, after taking many classes in the 1990's and watching educators assault the ITB with direct and painful techniques- I often wondered why it's so hard to effect change in this structure. An othro doc once told me that the ITB can be almost 1/8 inch thick. After taking James W.'s class- would think a better approach is to work the TFL and glutes. I have received many deep massages and Rolfing on my own tight ITB, these were painful and best and didn't really last.

I have a stick and I have offered it to clients, the last one has not returned it.

As far as Teresa's client, I'd recommend yoga as well as manual therapy.

my 2cents

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Permalink Reply by Therese Schwartz on April 7, 2011 at 8:38pm

Thank you Jody! It sounds like you've put a lot of effort into studying the ITB. It's an issue for so many people. I have a good plan now and I appreciate your 2 cents!

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Permalink Reply by Lisa S. on April 9, 2011 at 8:03pm

I learned from a Chiropractor friend that at least 85% of the time ITB Syndrome is a result of weak abductors, so maybe encourage your client to strengthen and stretch the abductors and gluts regularly.

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Permalink Reply by Therese Schwartz on April 10, 2011 at 1:02pm

Fantastic! Thanks Lisa!

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Permalink Reply by Gary W Addis, LMT on April 10, 2011 at 1:06pm

Boris' reply makes sense, as I recently learned for myself. Yesterday I released three trigger points in my wife's quads. This morning she came to me complaining of severe tightness and soreness in the ITB of the same thigh--"I don't know what you did to me yesterday, but now my leg really hurts." After I found and released three trigger points in the ITB, the soreness disappeared immediately, along with the pain and my wife's anger. There is so much to learn! Thanks for sharing, Boris.

To that end, and for the fun of it, I invite everyone to visit this link:
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/ten-super-strange-spa-treatments.html

$245 for bird poop facials? Well... if it works (but not for me, thanks).

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Permalink Reply by Therese Schwartz on April 10, 2011 at 8:06pm

Good ending to the story! :) I need to learn more about trigger points (I've been focusing on CranioSacral Therapy and Myofascial Release, both of which are awesome but trigger points keep showing up as something really good to know how to deal with).

I'll pass on the snake massage, but sign me up for the chocolate!

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Shearer on April 11, 2011 at 1:45am

Hi Therese

It seems there are two issues here. One is the ITB is too tight and the second is what is causing it. In my experience Boris is dead on. Much of the time it is TFL and lateral gluts. However you also nee to loosen the ITB.

Extreme tight spots require more regular work. I give my clients a tennis ball to work on their gluts with and recommend they do this every day. If they are using the stick it really needs to be every day. Twice a week is not really going to make a dent on a chronic condition. This has probably occurred over a long time through a cumulative effect. You need to apply a cumulative strategy with daily stretching and self trigger point work.

Good luck

Regards

Jeff

info@ethicalpractice.net

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Permalink Reply by Therese Schwartz on April 11, 2011 at 4:19pm

A tennis ball is great! I'd forgotten about that - I've told several people about tennis balls but forgot it in this situation. Thanks! I will tell him to use the stick every day, and keep working on the rest of the involved muscles. Thanks for your expertise on this. Everyone has been so helpful!