So when I originally started this blog, one of my faithful readers expressed the recurring opinion that I'm an idiot for doing an ironman (an opinion to which i'm starting to agree with =P). They also expressed interest in doing a triathlon one day, except for some persistent knee pain. More specifically pain on the outside of the knee.
Throwing on my "MD" hat for a second, I suggested that they might have a tight IT Band. What the heck is an IT band you might ask? Is it like an information technology band? (sorry, lame attempt at a geek joke). IT band actually stands for Iliotibial band, and luckily we have kosmix's righthealth to provide even more detail :)
Iliotibial Band
For those who do not like to click through my intentional product promoting links, the IT band is a thick band of "stuff" that runs down the outside of your leg to provide stability for the quads and hamstrings. Runners are notorious for having very tight IT bands from all that pounding on the pavement. I am a perfect example of that stereotype, as I probably have the tighest IT bands of anyone you know =(.
So what's a person to do w/ tight IT bands? One thing is stretching, checkout the kosmix page above for some stretching recommendations. And the other key component is something called...drum roll please...
THE FOAM ROLLER
Anyone who has used one of these things before knows that it's one of those few things in life that can be both your best friend, and your worst enemy. Using one of these is a form of "self massage" as it uses your body weight to put pressure and loosen the area. This combination, along with a good stretch routine has worked WONDERS for me. And whenever I hear anyone complaining about outer knee or upper leg problems, I usually recommend starting with one of these.
Is anyone else part of the "my best friend is a foam roller" club?
Here's a picture of mine, think I paid like $18 for it at sports basement. I call mine rolling thunder. haha, j/k.

2 comments:
Do you think techies like you have a greater tendon-cy to have IT band problems (given that you work so much more on IT-related issues throughout the day than, say, someone in consulting)?
If you don't get the joke...then, joke is over.
last time i visited you, i recall seeing an item like that underneath your pillow... are you sure you have the right picture?
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