ITBS or Iliotibial Band Syndrome is a painful condition affecting the outside of the knee. Iliotibial band is a fibrous ligament that extends for the outside proximities of the lower leg to the outer area of the pelvis. Pain is caused when the muscle which is called TFL, which is attached to this ligament, becomes hyperactive or tight and the ligament starts to rub against the femur or the thighbone. This condition is mainly seen in runners and cyclists, and it requires treatment from a specialist like a Wirth Chiropractic in Greenville, NC.
Typical symptoms of ITBS include:
ü Pain felt on the outer portion of the knee
ü Worsening of pain when the person runs or walks downhill
ü Gluteal muscles feel tender
ü Pain while extending or flexing the knee
ü Pain usually subsides a little with rest
ITBS is mainly caused when the hip adductors or gluteus medius have weakened. To compensate for this weakness, the TFL (tensor fascia lata) muscle contracts more, this in turn strains the iliotibial band causing it to rub against the femur. People who are at risk of ITBS include:
Runners who practice regularly on an oval track
People who are bow legged
People having hyperactive or tight adductors
People with weak hamstrings, quadriceps, and gluteus medius
People suffering from spinal or pelvic dysfunctions
Persons with foot pronation
Chiropractic Treatment for ITBS
Wirth Chiropractic in Greenville, NC will first evaluate the functioning of your lumbar spine and pelvic joints. When there is dysfunction in these areas, there is neurological inhibition, which weakens the gluteal muscles. Many doctors fail to diagnose this, which leads to futile rehabilitation efforts. Doctors do not know everything and there parts of the muscles and bones which they do not understand well. The good ones will refer you to a chiropractor.
A chiropractor will first deal with neuro-mechanical dysfunctions in the feet, spine, and pelvis, and also do chiropractic manipulations and adjustments, which will consist of gentle stretching of the concerned tight muscles and ITB. Soft tissue treatment options could also include dry-needling techniques, deep friction massage, ultrasound, laser, and other interferential treatments.
The Wirth Chiropractic in Greenville, NC also focuses on the optimum rehabilitation program, even when symptoms have subsided. Apart from rehabilitation, chiropractor will also monitor and assess reactive core stability of the patient. These two aspects are very important to avoid recurrence of ITBS over the long term. ITBS can happen to anyone, especially to runners and cyclists, and hence it is best to have a chiropractic evaluation, if you are suffering from any symptoms or you feel you are at risk of this condition.
