Cupping for Iliotibial Band (ITB) Syndrome

Iliotibial Band Syndrome

Iliotibial Band Syndrome

What is Iliotibial Band Syndrome?

Friction or excessive pulling of the iliotibial band over the greater trochanter of the femur close to the hip and/or lateral condyle around the knee area is known as Iliotibial Band (ITB) syndrome. Extending or flexing the hips or knees will be extremely painful due to inflammation caused. One can expect a Bursitus as a result.

What are the Causes?

A tight tensor fascia latea and iliotibial band.
With contraction of the TFL, extending and flexing the knee and hip repetitively, for example when running.
Friction or tension in the iliotibial band.

What are the common signs and symptoms?

Pain especially with knee flexion and extension
Pain in the knee over the lateral condyle

Iliotibial Band Syndrome (Anatomy)

What can be done to prevent and rehabilitate ITB syndrome?

Once the pain has begun to subside, slowly increasing movement and flexibility will help the recovery.
Prevention includes working on the hips and thighs to improve balance with strengthening exercises and increasing the flexibility of the muscles.
For runners, any other related errors should be corrected.
Fortunately the long term prognosis is good and there shouldn't be any long lasting effects, so long as adequate preventative measures are used.

Here Vicki Ramsdell demonstrates how cupping can help relieve the symptoms of ITB syndrome;

Vicki Ramsdell - Cupping for ITB Syndrome

For more information about cupping common injuries, see our best selling course; "Cupping for the Modern Practitioner" by Vicki Ramsdell, here or on the image below;