IT band syndrome is a common overuse injury that affects runners, cyclists, hikers, and anyone who engages in repetitive lower body activity.
If you are dealing with sharp or burning pain on the outside of your knee or hip that worsens with activity, Dr. Frank Stiso at Stiso Chiropractic, Acupuncture & Massage Therapy in Manasquan, NJ can help identify the underlying cause and get you back to doing what you love.
What Is IT Band Syndrome?
The iliotibial band, commonly called the IT band, is a thick band of connective tissue that runs along the outside of the thigh from the hip to the knee. Its primary function is to stabilize the knee during movement. When the IT band becomes tight, inflamed, or irritated from repetitive stress, it can rub against the underlying bone and produce significant pain, particularly on the outside of the knee or hip.
IT band syndrome is almost always a mechanical problem. It rarely develops in isolation. In most cases there are contributing factors including hip weakness, poor biomechanics, training errors, leg length discrepancy, or spinal and pelvic misalignment that increases stress on the lateral structures of the leg. Addressing IT band syndrome effectively means identifying and correcting these underlying factors, not just treating the painful area.
Symptoms of IT Band Syndrome
-
Sharp or burning pain on the outside of the knee or hip
-
Pain that worsens during activity and improves with rest
-
A clicking or snapping sensation on the outside of the knee
-
Tightness along the outer thigh
-
Swelling or tenderness at the outside of the knee
-
Pain that begins after a consistent distance when running and becomes predictable
Many patients with IT band syndrome find that stretching and foam rolling provide temporary relief but the pain keeps coming back. That pattern is a strong indicator that the root cause has not been addressed.
How Chiropractic Care Helps
Because IT band syndrome is so often driven by mechanical dysfunction in the pelvis, hip, and lumbar spine, chiropractic care is a natural fit for this condition. Dr. Stiso evaluates the entire kinetic chain, not just the knee or hip where the pain is felt, to identify the structural imbalances that are placing excessive stress on the IT band.
Treatment may include spinal and pelvic adjustments to correct misalignment that is contributing to abnormal biomechanics, soft tissue work to address tightness in the surrounding musculature, and specific rehabilitation guidance to address muscle imbalances that are perpetuating the problem. When the underlying mechanical causes are corrected, the IT band has a much better chance of recovering fully and staying healthy.
Why Choose Dr. Stiso for IT Band Syndrome
Dr. Stiso takes a whole-body approach to musculoskeletal conditions like IT band syndrome. Rather than focusing exclusively on the site of pain, he looks at how the spine, pelvis, and lower extremities are working together and addresses the full picture. This approach produces more lasting results than treating the IT band in isolation.
Ready to Get Started?
If IT band syndrome is keeping you from running, cycling, or staying active in Manasquan, Wall Township, or the surrounding Monmouth County area, Dr. Stiso and the team at Stiso Chiropractic, Acupuncture & Massage Therapy are ready to help.
Call us at (732) 528-7746 or click the button below to get started. Most major insurance accepted. New patients are always welcome.