Treatment for the Iliotibial Band Syndrome

The Iliotibial Band is also called the fasciae latae. It actually occurs when the fascia thickens. This thickening can also occur on the outer casting of the muscle running up the outside of your thigh. Iliotibial Band is also known as ITB and it originates at the hip, ending on the outside of your knee. A common form of knee injury is the Indrliotibial Band Syndrome.

Some of the most common signs and symptoms of the syndrome include pain in the outside of the knee, which in itself is a distinctive symptom of problem. If you are experiencing this syndrome, your pain in the knee area will worsen when you climb heights or run. This condition is very painful and sometimes can also occur in the form of lateral thigh pain. While experiencing the condition, you can also experience swelling in the knee. Another indication of the syndrome can be the weakness of the knees and the outside upper thigh muscles. Running and training extensively are things that can trigger the Iliotibial Band syndrome. While anyone can experience this pain, athletes most commonly experience the syndrome because of their excessive trainings and extreme physical activity.

There are a number of ways that can be used for treating the condition. In case of athletes, physical therapists are trained in treating this syndrome as well as other physical problems. Exercise is one of the best and most effective ways of treating the syndrome. Before trying any exercises or treatments on your own, you should make sure that you get a proper physical examination so that the problem can be diagnosed medically and then the appropriate treatment can be recommended. There are a number of ways to treat the Iliotibial Band syndrome, the most common of which are stretching, activity modification and massages. All these are activities that can contribute significantly towards strengthening of the affected muscles.

It is best to seek a professional’s assistance in order to treat the syndrome. You will find a number of physical therapists who are trained for treating the condition. If you are a low mileage runner, stretching and the use of an anti-inflammatory medicine can be effective in treating the condition. In case of high mileage runners, there is often need for a more comprehensive program for treatment. Hence, it is best to gain professional assistance and services for effective and timely recovery.

The first and foremost goal of treating Iliotibial Band is the alleviation of the inflammation. This is best done with the use of medication and ice. Physicians and physical therapists consider it really important that the patient should be educated about the various aspects of the syndrome so that they can do effective activity modification.