Shockwave Therapy for iliotibial band syndrome.
Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) is a common overuse condition that causes pain on the outside of the knee (and sometimes the outer thigh or hip), especially in runners and cyclists.
The iliotibial band (IT band) is a thick band of connective tissue. It is made of dense fascia and not muscle:
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Runs from the hip (iliac crest)
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Down the outside of the thigh
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Attaches just below the outside of the knee at the tibia bone (shin)
It plays a key role in stabilising the hip and knee, especially during walking and running.
What are the main causes of iliotibial band syndrome?
The main causes of Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS) come down to repetitive overload and excessive tension on the tissues along the outside of the thigh—especially near the knee—combined with reduced ability to control that load.
1. Sudden increase in training load (most common)
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Rapid jump in running mileage or intensity
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Adding hills, speed work, or downhill running too quickly
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Increase in cycling resistance or duration
Repetitive knee bending/straightening overwhelms tissue tolerance.
2. Hip muscle weakness (key factor)
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Weak gluteus medius and minimus
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Poor control of hip and pelvis during stance
Increases tension through the IT band with every step.
3. Poor running or cycling mechanics
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Excessive hip drop or knee moving inward
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Overstriding
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Poor cadence
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Low saddle height in cyclists
Raises compression and strain on lateral knee tissues.
4. Repetitive downhill running
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Downhill running keeps the knee in the pain-provoking range longer
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Increases lateral knee compression
5. Structural or alignment factors
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Leg length differences
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Bowed legs (genu varum)
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Narrow running stance
Can contribute, but rarely cause ITBS alone.
6. Reduced recovery and fatigue
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Inadequate rest between sessions
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Running on tired muscles
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Poor sleep
Fatigue reduces shock absorption, shifting load to connective tissue.
7. Training surface and equipment
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Running on cambered roads
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Old or inappropriate shoes
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Hard or uneven surfaces
We can speed up your recovery from injury with a combination of Myofascial release, Radial and Focused Shockwave Therapy within the same sessions.
Depending on whether it is Acute or Chronic, 3 - 6 sessions are generally required for most people to gain complete pain relief and make a full recovery from iliotibial band syndrome.
The new way to treat MSK.
How Shockwave Therapy helps with iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS).
Shockwave therapy can help ITBS by reducing pain sensitivity and improving the health of overloaded tissues on the outside of the thigh and knee
1. Reduces pain sensitivity
Shockwave therapy has a strong positive effect on local nerve endings by decreasing pain signal transmission and reducing tissue hypersensitivity. This helps to decrease the pain so rehab exercise such as walking can be done.
2. Improves local blood flow
It helps stimulate blood vessel formation which improves oxygen and nutrient delivery to the irritated tissues. This supports recovery of compressed tissues beneath the IT band.
3. Improves soft-tissue mobility
Helps reduce excessive fascial stiffness and decreases muscle guarding in TFL and lateral thigh muscles. This lowers tension transmitted through the IT band.
4. Calms chronic tissue irritation
Influences inflammatory mediators to help resolve persistent low-grade irritation. This is particularly helpful in long-standing ITBS.
5. Supports more effective rehab
By lowering pain and stiffness hip-strengthening exercises become easier and running mechanics can be corrected more comfortably. Shockwave therapy can really help to speed up recovery and get people to the loading stage of rehab much more effectively.
Take your recovery to the next level with scientifically proven Shockwave technology. Shockwave Therapy is clinically proven and well approved by top orthopedics and is now used by well established professional sports bodies, such as elite Premier League Football and Rugby Union clubs.