Iliotibial (IT) Band syndrome is characterized by pain at the hip and/or knee, and is common in runners. Researchers at the University of Calgary in Canada recently presented a paper at the American College of Sports Medicine meeting in San Francisco. Their study, Changes in Gait Biomechanics After a 6-week Rehabilitation Program for Runners with Iliotibial Band Syndrome included a 6-week exercise program using Thera-Band elastic bands and foam rollers. Runner's World magazine recently mentioned the story online in a column by Alex Hutchinson, and provided this graphic of the exercises using Thera-Band elastic bands:
Dr. Reed Farber, lead author and director of the University of Calgarys Running Injury Clinic, along with his colleagues, reported that hip muscle strength significantly increased, while pain levels significantly decreased. Interestingly, they did not find any difference in IT Band flexibility or gait kinematics, suggesting hip strength is an important factor in IT Band syndrome. While this pilot study was not a randomized controlled trial, the results of this study show promising results for relieving pain associated with IT Band Syndrome.
Reference: Ferber R et al. Changes in Gait Biomechanics After a 6-week Rehabilitation Program for Runners with Iliotibial Band Syndrome. (Abstract). Presented at ACSM Annual Meeting. San Francisco, CA. June 1, 2012.
$0.00