This is one of the more common injuries related to running. It responds very well to chiropractic treatment when caught before it becomes chronic. In ITB the problem is usually because the movement of the pelvis is not working properly. This causes soreness and pulling on the muscles that attach to the pelvis.

    The Iliotibial Band is really a casing around the outside of the muscle that runs up the outside of the thigh. This muscle attaches at the outside of the knee and ends at the hip. The ITB holds our legs straight when we stand which allows the larger thigh muscles some rest.

    It feels like a tightening of the outside of your leg while your thigh muscle stays relaxed. Quite often it shows up as pain at the outside of the knee. This happens when the ITB is pulled too tight putting pressure on the bursa, in the knee, which swells and inflames and causes pain.

   Bursae are sacks filled with a lubricating fluid for places where friction and rubbing take place. This condition is typically caused by adding too much to your running efforts at one time, particularly running up hills, and by over training. It rarely causes problems in both legs.

    Chiropractic treatment can provide the answers to incorrect pelvic movement. Stretching usually only helps for a short time. The problem is not at your knee, where the pain is, its higher up in the pelvis.

    You can use ice packs on the knee for some relief. However, when you think about it - why would only one leg experience ITB pain and not the other? You run with both legs equally. If you’re doing your own care, exercise, stretching, ice, and its not helping after a week or so, ask your chiropractor to look at the movement of your pelvic bones.