ITB syndrome

“Strengthening, not stretching, to deal with ITB syndrome” was published on 2012. Traditional rehab focuses on loosening the tendon-like connective tissue, ITB; whilst science still unclear with the function of ITB.

ITB syndrome is a common knee pain in runners, especially in landing phase of running gait. Conservative way is to release and loosen the ITB via massage, foam roller, etc...

However, I disagree with the published article..

Throughout my 8 years of clinical observation and experience in treating ITB syndrome, as the name, it is just a syndrome, it is not any pathology in running gait, and it is a very tough connective tissue which not really response to MFR onto it. So, treating a syndrome is not treating the root cause. Look at the origin of ITB, you will surprise that ITB is a connective tissue extends from both Gluts Med and TFL, inserted into lateral epicondyle, merges with lateral peroneal muscles as well as lateral meniscus and lateral collateral ligaments. Therefore, very often, lateral knee pain also being misdiagnosed as lateral meniscus torn / lateral collateral ligament tear due to the almost similar symptoms, swelling with inflammation.

So how to treat? First of all, how’s your walking and running gait? Straight forward scenario, ITB syndrome is due to overworked and tightness of ipsilateral Glut Med. Complicated case, ITB was cased by overworked TFL. In my clinical years, loosening Glut Med / TFL works well to ease ITB syndrome, as effective as 1 session of MFR treatment. However, question is, why Glut / TFL overwork? This is the reason why you need to consult Ben Physio & Rehab…