As a licensed physical therapist in the state of Florida, I have helped my patients identify and recover from serious physical injuries.

Are you an active runner? You could be experiencing or be prone to iliotibial band (ITB) syndrome. This syndrome can be painful but can be treated in minimal recovery time withou a huge financial investment. Whether you seek the assistance of a physical therapist, or practice certain techniques on your own, there are various ways to treat ITB syndrome.

You may be asking yourself how ITB syndrome is recognized? It is simply a pain located around the outside of the knee that becomes worse while exercising, specifically running. Common causes of ITB syndrome include running too fast or too far. Just one stride in your walk or run can result in tightness in the ITB and therefore cause ITB syndrome. If you do experience this type of physical pain, it is recommended that you stop exercising and ice the area.  In addition, resting, stretching and supplying your body with the best nutrients will achieve optimal results.

My number one tip to prevent ITB syndrome would be to purchase a foam roller and massage your hips and knees often in an effort to allow you to continue exercising and running. The technique for using a foam roller is simple: Place the foam roller on the ground and place the outside of your thigh on the roll so that you can roll the length of your thigh. Use your hands to pull your body back and forth over the affected area of your leg for a minute or two. Slowly massage the affected muscles a few times a day with the foam roller in an effort to maintain your active lifestyle without experiencing pain.

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