ILIO-TIBIAL BAND
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Copyright © Alastair McLoughlin 2015 Revised © Alastair McLoughlin 2019 and 2022
The right of Alastair McLoughlin to be identified as the original Designer, Developer and Author of the Work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1998.
All rights reserved. No part of this text may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover, or reprinted in any physical or electronic manner without the written consent of the author.
The ideas and concepts explored within this text are those of the author. For educational purposes only.
No diagnosis is being offered nor any cure promised by the application of this information.
Alastair McLoughlin cannot be held responsible for any injury arising from the application of this work by the practitioner to any third party however caused.
This work is not a substitute for medical attention. Please seek your physician’s advice if in doubt.
Over-tightness of the IT band is a recurring problem for many athletes.
It can contribute to knee and hip problems and many methods have been devised to attempt to create some relaxation into the tissue.
This includes foam rollering, stretching and deep tissue massage - all of which can be quite painful and even torturous!
This AoB procedure is an outstanding set of release moves for tightness of the ilio-tibial band running from the lateral side of the knee up towards the hip.
The effects of this work are virtually instantaneous.
Athletes and sports people love this work as it takes moments to complete and the work is not only effective but quite within the tolerance of those receiving the work.
INDICATIONS FOR USE- Pain or tenderness of the IT band
- Knee problems (such as ‘runner’s knee’)
- Outer hip problems or pain
- Lower back problems including coccyx discomfort
It may also be effective for people with arthritis of the knees or hips if the IT band is very tight.
CAUTIONS OR CONTRAINDICATIONS None, but refer for medical diagnosis if you are unsure about any undiagnosed medical condition.
Position of the patient:Client lays supine on the treatment table.
The client’s knee should be flexed and their foot resting on the treatment table as demonstrated on the video presentation.
Assessment:Before placing the client into position, have the client rest their leg and thigh in an extended position on the couch.
Identify the IT Band running from outer aspect of knee, up the outside of the thigh up to the hip.
If you palpate too anteriorly you will be upon Vastus Lateralis.
If you palpate too posteriorly you will be upon the Hamstring group.
Both of these are incorrect.
Palpate the tissue tension of the IT band.
Move up and down the length of the IT band to assess tissue tension.
Repeat your assessment on both outer thighs.
Both IT bands are usually treated. The work is not only quick, but it creates balance between the two sides.
Application of the AoB procedure:Use the pad of your thumb (as shown in the video presentation) to make a series of movements from the outer lateral side of the knee towards the hip.
You may need to make ten or more moves in the series.
TIP: Keep the fingers of the hand closed (making a fist) as you perform these moves so that you can get nearer to the thigh and your fingers are not intrusive.
Once the series of moves is completed extend the leg back to the table.
At this point you may immediately re-palpate the tissue for tension.
Many times you will notice an immediate change in resting tension!
Let the leg rest on the couch for two minutes whilst performing the moves on the opposite thigh.
After a short rest of 2 minutes, you may repeat the work on both sides of the body once again - rechecking your work when the leg is once again extended and resting on the treatment table.
When repeating moves the client will probably notice a reduction in pain or tenderness in the tissue from even the first set of moves.
You can repeat the work regularly for athletes in training.
TIP: You may need to ease off the pressure of the moves approximately half to two-thirds along the IT band - as that is often a very tender area for the client. Also ensure the client is well hydrated.
Additional moves:For knee problems:
Add a series of movements, as shown, under the patella and inferior to the knee - in the interosseous space between the tibia and fibula - as shown in the video demonstration.
Then re-assess the IT Band - as shown.
You should note how softer the tissue has become.
Help the client to a seated position:Pause and check the client experiences no dizziness or light-headedness.
If they are dizzy or light headed then wait for a minute or two to allow that feeling to clear itself.
Only then may the client step down from the couch (a) placing BOTH feet on the floor at the same time to allow even weight-bearing into both hips to occur.
If the client continues to be dizzy after waiting two minutes (b) then lay them in a foetal position, cover them with a blanket and wait for the dizziness to pass.
Return them to a seated position and check any dizziness has subsided.
Then ask them to stand - placing BOTH feet on the floor at the same time to allow even weight-bearing into both hips to occur.
The client may need to sit for a few moments before dressing and leaving your office.
How it works:The quick “pull” of these AoB moves probably act on the Pacinian corpuscle and interstitial mechanoreceptors which respond to rapid pressure changes and vibration.
Whatever the mechanism involved, the results with this work are rapid and palpable.
Sports people love this work, due to it not only being very effective, but it is also quick and quite painless in most cases.
Some tissue sensitivity may be evident in the first set of moves but this should quickly reduce with repeated work.
These moves form a great part of a regular ‘tune-up’ for athletes.
Frequency of sessions will vary according to training methods and their particular sport.
Often once weekly is good as part of their regime, or about 3 days away from a competition event.
