RE: IT Band syndrome

7XWXN — Sat, 04 Mar 2023 18:25:46 GMT

Thanks Kyle

RE: IT Band syndrome

Kyle Deery — Thu, 02 Mar 2023 17:59:14 GMT

7XWXN Here is a great article on IT Band Syndrome: https://www.usms.org/fitness-and-training/articles-and-videos/articles/self-massage-for-it-band-syndrome?Oldid=3101

Hopefully this helps. I know a few swimmers who have gone through it and remember a few noting things started to improve after they strengthen and stretched but also rested a bit after it caused pain because it took awhile for the swelling to go down.

RE: IT Band syndrome

7XWXN — Sun, 26 Feb 2023 01:35:49 GMT

Hey Paul,

I appreciate your detailed response. One thing I have neglected is foam rolling my hamstrings so I will give that a go and will also incorporate your recommended stretches.

Thanks again

Carlos

RE: IT Band syndrome

Windrath — Sat, 25 Feb 2023 15:53:52 GMT

Carlos,

I am not a PT - only many years of coaching, my own swimming, and a knee replacement 16 months ago. So my suggestions are simply things to see if they will help you.

If I learned nothing else from my knee replacement, I now understand how complex the muscles, ligaments, and tendons that support the knee really are. Although IT band problems can take a long time to resolve, you might also consider the possibility that you have some muscle imbalances that result in uneven stress.

When I was coaching, if swimmers complained about knee pain, my go-to advice were three things:

Add stretches for the hamstrings - usually forward folds. While all kicking requires good hamstring strength, breaststroke and dolphin kick work them the most. If you are doing alot of hamstring curls in the weight room, this could be aggravating the condition. Foam rolling your hamstrings may help to relax the muscle. Also, alot of knee extensions could be causing the imbalance.
Self-massage all areas of the quadriceps with a foam roller or the heel of your hand - outside of the quad (hitting the IT band), center and inside thigh. I find massage with my hand more effective than foam rolling.
Straddle stretches - these stretches work on imbalances from the muscles on the inside of your thigh being too tight. If you do any abductor and adductor sets to strengthen these muscles, there might be an imbalance here. Start out easy with these stretches - they take time to to see results.

If any of these yield results - even temporarily - you might be onto something. If you do alot of bicycling, the quads get strong and the hamstrings never get stretched out.

Although you are "young", if the pain persists, you should not dismiss the possibility you have a slight tear in one of the ligaments and/or meniscus. Diagnosing these requires an MRI.

These suggestions are simply layman ideas. Hope they help and you get to Nationals!

Paul