Do you suffer from pain on the outer side of your knee or hip while running or cycling? If so, you might have IT band syndrome. IT band syndrome is a common overuse injury among athletes due to repetitive motion. This condition can be frustrating and often takes longer to heal than expected. In this article, we will discuss how long it takes for IT band syndrome to heal, along with treatment options.
Rest and Recovery
The most important factor in healing IT band syndrome is to rest and recover. The recommended time for rest should be a minimum of 2-3 weeks to reduce the inflammation. Keep in mind that you should avoid any activity that causes pain. Also, it is essential to ice the affected area, take anti-inflammatory medication, and reduce your training intensity. It’s crucial to listen to your body and give it proper time to recover.
Physiotherapy for IT Band Syndrome
A physiotherapist can help you recover from IT band syndrome. They will assess your condition and create a personalized treatment plan. Typically, the physiotherapy program will consist of exercises to strengthen the muscles, stretching, massage, and foam rolling. The treatment plan may take up to six weeks, depending on the severity of the condition, before improvement is seen.
Chiropractic Care for IT Band Syndrome
A chiropractic doctor can help in managing IT band syndrome. They use a hands-on approach to promote natural healing, and it’s mostly centered around spinal adjustment. A chiropractor will target the cause of the problem, which is the misalignment, and help you recover from IT band syndrome. Depending on the condition, chiropractic care may take up to three to four weeks to show results.
Home remedies
In addition to physiotherapy, home remedies can aid in the healing process of IT band syndrome. Using ice packs, massaging the affected area, and stretching exercises can help in reducing inflammation, enhance flexibility and strengthen the muscles. It will take longer to see improvement with home remedies alone, but a combination with physiotherapy can benefit the recovery period.
Surgery
In severe cases, where IT band syndrome is not responding to therapies, surgery may be an option. Surgery may involve lengthening or releasing the IT band. After the procedure, physiotherapy is essential to restore muscle strength and function. Typically, a full recovery from surgery will take around four to six months. IT band syndrome can be a challenging condition to manage, but with patience, you can recover. Treatment options will depend on the severity of your condition, and it is essential to listen to your body to avoid aggravating the injury further. Keep in mind that while seeking treatment, you should strive to prevent IT band syndrome by warming up before exercising, stretching, and strengthening the muscles around the IT band. If you’re experiencing signs of IT band syndrome, seek medical attention immediately to prevent any long-term damage.
If you have any questions or would like to explore further, please book a free, no-charge online appointment with either myself, Dr. Tyler Baron, BASc, DC or another Kitchener chiropractor at CARESPACE. We are happy to listen and are here to help!
