What is the IT (Iliotibial) Band and why does it hurt?
IT Band or Iliotibial Band Syndrome is a common cause of hip and/or knee pain in runners and other athletes and can be the source of much frustration. Many of the IT band injuries occur because of overtraining (“too much, too soon”) or under-recovery. Other causes of IT Band pain include poor biomechanics or muscle weakness and imbalance. Many of these causes of IT band pain can be improved or resolved with a proactive stretching and strengthening. Anatomy of the IT Band The iliotibial band (ITB) is a thick layer of fibrous tissue caused “fascia” that starts on the outside part of the leg up on the hip at the anterior superior iliac spine area of the pelvic bone and then travels down the hip and thigh to the knee where the IT band attaches to the lateral (outside) part of the knee. What is fascial tissue? Fascial tissue is an integral part of the body’s connective tissue system. Fascial tissue helps maintain support and structure of muscles, tendons, ligaments and even blood vessels, i
