ITBS: Pattstrap vs. Pro-Tech IT Band Compression Wrap (if you have ever had moderate/severe ITBS please respond)

I tried the Pro-Tech and it may have helped a little, but not much. Personally, I don't think that straps or foam rollers do much based on my own experience.

My advice would be to rest and ice until the severe inflammation goes down, and then start some strengthening exercises. I do side leg lifts -- I do 3 sets of 25 for each side, plus hip and glute exercises with bands that I got from this site:

www.runninginjuryclinic.com

I also think it has helped me to do some yoga stretches. Here are some to check out:

http://www.runnersworld.com/video/1,8052,s6-1-0-5,00.html?bcpid=2888993001&bclid=1504353751&bctid=68928548001

Finally, I would make sure you aren't wearing a shoe that is too stable.

I've had this issue twice, once on each leg. Unfortunately the only thing that worked was to stop running. Three weeks completely off, then starting back with no more than 5k running at a time.

It's definitely a sucky situation. I've had achilles tendonitis too, and I must say that the ITBS was more debilitating.

oh please wrote:

I've had this issue twice, once on each leg. Unfortunately the only thing that worked was to stop running. Three weeks completely off, then starting back with no more than 5k running at a time.

It's definitely a sucky situation. I've had achilles tendonitis too, and I must say that the ITBS was more debilitating.

Where you able to engage in any pain free cross-training? I imagine biking or pool running would hurt me right now but I'm wondering if I might be able to start up with one of those before I'm ready to run again.

The first thing you need to find out is what is causing the tightness. The tensor fascia latta is the muscle that connects but there may be other muscles that are causing an imbalance.

It is really just an overuse issue and with a little rest and finding the muscles that are in spasm, you can be back running very quickly.

I have always gotten it from running a lot of mileage so you may want to cut the mileage back but increase the intensity. Intensity doesn't seem to affect it as much.

I had ITBS. I was getting back into running after many, many years of not running, and bumped up my mileage too fast. In retrospect, I think I remember the day I first got ITBS. It was during an uphill on a 5 miler.

After much research on the web and some running books, I discovered I had ITBS.

I did find the patt strap on the net and ordered it up. It helped tremendously. I would def order it. I've not used the other one, but it seems complicated and thick. The patt stap is very simple, light and stays put. You need to put slightly above your knee and tight. Tighter than they suggest. Think tourniquet. Well, seriously don't cut off your circulation, but it't tighter than you'd expect. It will feel a little weird at first, but I've used for everything from long slow distance to speed work to treadmill, etc.

Because I really like you, I just pulled out my log from 2007. In early October I have about two weeks of entries all having notations about my IT band hurting with various levels of discomfort. This culminates in my Oct 10th entry for a 5 miler: "IT band really hurt". I ran that at very slow 8:58 pace. YIKES! I took the next seven days off. My October 18th entry has me going on a 3.1 mile run at 7:27 pace with the entry "First day back. Used Patt Strap for first time. R. ITB OK." My entries continue on the next two weeks noting my ITB is okay with the Patt Strap.

I stopped recording in my log when I used it. But from memory I continued to use for another several months. Possibly six. I almost got scared to take it off because I was running pain free. During that time my ITB healed up and eventually I did cautiously start to run without it. I no longer use it but bought a few extra in case I ever get ITBS again.

What else helped was Strech #2 in this article from running times. Look at the diagram closely, as it's easy to get this stretch backwards, but it's very effective. Don't overdo it...

http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=6099

I got foam roller down the road and in hindsight believe that would be very helpful as well. Check this pdf out...

http://www.smiweb.org/roller.pdf

Nothing else really seemed to help me: massage, ice, ben-gay, arnica, etc. I must state I never went to the doctor for any of this. The patt strap allowed me to continue training while my ITBS healed up.

Let me know if you have any questions and I'll try to answer.

PS - When ordering I wouldn't bother with the extra long one. Just get the normal.

Good luck!

PS - I was not able to bike either without ITB pain.

PPS - Let us know how it turns out. Too many thread out there without a conclusion.

Very helpful- thanks so much!

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