IT Band Syndrome Treated by A.R.T. and Graston
In our office, throughout the years we have always prided ourselves with healing patients quickly. Combining Active Release Technique and Graston seems to be the most effective way to tackle the IT Band Syndrome. The IT Band is probably the most common running injury we see. It irritates the hip, creates knee cap tendonitis and throws off your running stride. It just reaps havoc on the body.
The IT Band is a tough non-elastic tissue which is so tough to penetrate that you can’t stretch it; you can foam roll all you want…you’ll never put a dent in it.
The Ilio Tibial Band, (IT Band), scars up from the trauma associated with running and cycling and triathlons. Eventually it starts to adhere itself to the front of the thigh, hip flexors and hamstring muscle groups. The IT Band is supposed to glide over these muscles, but instead starts to play tug of war in which the IT Band always wins, resulting in rips, pulls and tears.
Okay, enough about that. When treating an IT band injury, we first use Graston instruments to penetrate deep into the band. This creates a tremendous amount of blood supply to what is essentially a thick scarred up area which has blunted its blood supply and is why it’s not elastic anymore. Graston is to rehab as PRP platelet Rich Plasma is to injections. It speeds healing by creating a rich blood supply to a deadened area.
We then combine precise A.R.T, Active Release Technique, hands on maneuvers to release adhesions between the muscles and tendons to allow “glide”.
We then dynamically stretch the area, mimicking a running stride; this is key, as we always try and mimic the movements associated with the activity our patients perform. This is called creating function.
Lastly, we prescribe strength exercises and a home stretching program …essentially providing homework so that patients can take part in the healing process. Everyone needs to have some accountability when it comes to healing.
This video shows an example of how Duke Chiropractic combines dynamic stretching, A.R.T and Graston all at once to treat IT band syndrome.
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