IT Band: Can you recommend the best stretches to use?

Posted by Mikeycaz @mikeycaz, Jun 28, 2017

My primary care doctor diagnosed me with IT Band issues and recommend several stretches. Can you recommend the best stretches to use?

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Hello @mikeycaz and welcome to Mayo Connect! I must admit that when I read your post I did not know what IT Band issues referred to. However, I looked it up on the internet and see that it is usually an injury that happens as the result of overuse - and something that runners, bikers, etc. get. It appears that the band issues can be in the hip, knees, etc. Please share with us, as you are comfortable doing so, with some additional information. For example, what type of symptoms are you having and how long have you been experiencing the discomfort? What specifically did your doctor suggest? Teresa

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Mikey, I was just asking my doctor about this yesterday. My IT band is really tight lately. She suggested foam rolling.
Here's a quick illustration and explanation of 4 foam roller exercises. The second one focuses on the IT band. http://www.menshealth.co.uk/fitness/sports-injuries/4-foam-roller-exercises

I won't lie. It hurts! But like the therapist from Mayo Clinic's Healthy Living Center explains, you have to keep at it. Only apply as much pressure as is comfortable. It gets better as you keep doing it. I'll keep you posted if it works for me. I better go foam roll now..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AM9DkYVGfw

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@colleenyoung

Mikey, I was just asking my doctor about this yesterday. My IT band is really tight lately. She suggested foam rolling.
Here's a quick illustration and explanation of 4 foam roller exercises. The second one focuses on the IT band. http://www.menshealth.co.uk/fitness/sports-injuries/4-foam-roller-exercises

I won't lie. It hurts! But like the therapist from Mayo Clinic's Healthy Living Center explains, you have to keep at it. Only apply as much pressure as is comfortable. It gets better as you keep doing it. I'll keep you posted if it works for me. I better go foam roll now..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AM9DkYVGfw

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Thanks, im going to get a foam roller. Let me know how it goes.

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@colleenyoung

Mikey, I was just asking my doctor about this yesterday. My IT band is really tight lately. She suggested foam rolling.
Here's a quick illustration and explanation of 4 foam roller exercises. The second one focuses on the IT band. http://www.menshealth.co.uk/fitness/sports-injuries/4-foam-roller-exercises

I won't lie. It hurts! But like the therapist from Mayo Clinic's Healthy Living Center explains, you have to keep at it. Only apply as much pressure as is comfortable. It gets better as you keep doing it. I'll keep you posted if it works for me. I better go foam roll now..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AM9DkYVGfw

Jump to this post

Is this for the tight band feeling in the front of the knee

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I had my right knee replacement around three years ago. Completed PT to rehab the knee , but couldn’t stop the IT band on the outside on my knee from hurting. So now it doesn’t hurt all of the time but pops up at random times, except at night. If I lie on my left side my right it band will start to hurt. Eventually I have to roll over to lay on my right side to make the pain stop. This is with a knee pillow.
Any thoughts?

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