[Aunty Jam]

Does anyone know of exercises to help with the IT band? Mine keep flaming up during runs and it's really painful. I'm not sure what to do to prevent this, I walk 5 minutes to warm up and cool down and stretch them after runs if it's not to painful.

[Tanna Banana]

Using a foam roller and stretching post-run helped my IT bands a lot. I'm not sure if there's anything that can be done while running to help... could it be a gait problem?

Hope you get it figured out! IT Band soreness is no fun!

[Aunty Jam]

Thanks... can you tell me how you used these?

Btw.. just saw the note in your sig. 8/16 is my nieces, brother in law and my old dogs birthday (we lost her in Feb). It's a good day to be born!

[indiblue]

I'd recommend going to a physical therapist. It's not extremely expensive and he/she can show you not only how to use a foam roller, but a host of stretches and other PT you can do to help heal it.

The ITB is a critical tool for proper walking, running, posture, etc. Not healing it properly can lead to a lot of other major problems. I'd get it fixed properly by a professional rather than relying on home treatment like you would for perhaps a sore ankle or something.

Good luck!

[Tejas]

Do all of these things, and think about seeing a podiatrist to get an assessment about your gait.

It can't be stressed enough that you should intervene early. You'll find instructions about how to use a foam roller on the internet, but seeing a physio is a great idea. Also, see a massage therapist for sports or deep tissue massage and learn how to massage your thighs and IT band. You aren't likely to hurt yourself.

It will be worth every penny you spend.

[Tanna Banana]

Originally Posted by Aunty Jam

Thanks... can you tell me how you used these?

Btw.. just saw the note in your sig. 8/16 is my nieces, brother in law and my old dogs birthday (we lost her in Feb). It's a good day to be born!

I had a trainer teach me how to use a foam roller, but I have to agree with the other posters, getting checked out professionally is a REALLY good idea. I plan to get in to a sports medicine specialist when I start running again b/c I have some major problems with my right leg, and I know taking care of it will help me in the long run (haha, nice pun).

8/16 is a good day! It's also our 8th wedding anniversary. Funny how things work out.

[Aunty Jam]

I would love to do physio or get a massage... the problem is I picked running because it is cheap. We don't exactly have the money to spend on this... aahhh... I'll look into it, maybe there's something in my benefits from work.

Btw Tanna... you probably won't log on to see this but happy birthday to your daughter.. Congrats.

[indiblue]

Running doesn't require a lot of equipment, but it's REALLY important not to choose inexpensive over health.

Investing in REALLY GOOD shoes (which are usually expensive) is absolutely important. So is investing in proper care for injuries. It defeats the purpose of exercising/running/getting fit/improving your health if you incur injuries and don't properly health them

Runners have incredibly high rates of injury (something like 40% of runners every year get injured?) so if you look at the total cost of investing in proper shoes and injury cared, running is actually not that cheap.

Sorry for the rant, I get injured often and know what happens when I put off taking care of injuries and wouldn't wish that on you. Best of luck with a speedy and safe recovery