Exercises to do that won't aggravate IT Band?

lovelyl0ve
lovelyl0ve Posts: 25 Member
edited October 6 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm a distance runner and a hiker usually, but recently my IT band has started to bother me again, and running is too painful. I've been icing, rolling it out and stretching, but I know it'll still be a few weeks before I can run any amount of distance again if I don't want to make it worse.

So my question for any athletes out there who've experienced this: what sort of exercise can I still do? Can I still hike? Go for walks? What other forms of cardio? What about strength exercises that specifically help with that sort of injury? This is the second time it has flared up, so I want to work on preventing it from hurting again. And I really would like to still exercise while it heals. Any advice would b very helpful, thank you.

Replies

  • lovelyl0ve
    lovelyl0ve Posts: 25 Member
    Anyone have an experience with this?
  • I had the same problem! It was a serious issue whenever I would attempt to run downhill. I did yoga and walking. Look up pigeon pose in yoga it will help stretch out your IT band a lot.
  • lovelyl0ve
    lovelyl0ve Posts: 25 Member
    Thank you, I'll look into that yoga pose. :) I've always been a bit confused on how I was supposed to stretch it out, hopefully this helps.
  • it_be_asin
    it_be_asin Posts: 562 Member
    I have this problem myself - and yoga, especially pidgeon pose, is the best thing for it.
  • yogavegan
    yogavegan Posts: 116 Member
    definitely yoga or find a good massage therapist that will work out the IT band for you, then you can get back to your routine! i work with a lot of athletes who come to yoga classes for IT band issues. make yoga a part of your workout plans, and your running will reap the rewards with less pain, and more flexibility.
  • lovelyl0ve
    lovelyl0ve Posts: 25 Member
    Sounds like yoga is the way to go, thanks everyone. :)
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