I am the happiest man on earth right now....
I Ordered a PattStrap from http://www.pattstrap.com
I had tried other IT Straps with little to no luck but many people on
the Yahoo Groups ITBS site suggested I try the PattStrap as it seems to
work better then other IT Straps.
First I wore it around the knee, walking around... Then on Saturday I
went running in our fitness center (small 100 yard track over the
basketball courts - I was watching my 13 yr old son playing his first
bb game)... I forgot to put it on. My legs were rested but around mile
2 I started feeling the ITB friction building up. Under normal
circumstances discomfort increases and by mile 3 pain forces me to
stop. But I stopped and put the strap on, and and was able to finish 5
miles.
But still I was not convinced. Maybe it was something else...
The next day, Sunday, I normally run with my friend Dan, our standard 5
mile in a nice soft trail outdoors. This was the big test. Now my legs
are tired. I have not been able to
complete this 5 mile run without having to stop and walk or try running
fast & walking. And now I am running my second 5 mile run back-to-back,
something that I have not been able to do (not even think about it)
after ITBS developed.
This time I put the pattstrap on. All other variables (shoes, etc) were
the same. I felt the ITB discomfort right away. But it went nowhere. At
the turn around point (2.5 miles) I stopped and tighened the band. Then
the discomfort lessened.
Normally things would be getting worse at this point. But they got
better. I finished the 5 miles without any pain.
I did not have any pain or irritation later at home or the next day.
This is truly amazing! I have tried everything and this little strap
over my knee is alowing me to run without any pain and certainly
without making things worse.
I am a happy man.
I still think that I have a slight supination problem (my left leg
tends to roll to the outside too much) and some slight inward tilt will
help. Also, a heel raise seems to make things better. I am (was) a
heavy heel striker. Now I have been thinking about working on my
running form, foot strike, etc.
In my 4 years of running I never thought about these things.
I did not know what pronation, supination, etc, mean. I never gave a
second thought about running shoes (I bought what's on sale), running
form, etc. And never had any problems.
This ITBs situation that developed after my first marathon, has made me
more aware about these issues, and that's a good thing. Now with this
little strap, some more thought on running shoes, custom modifications,
etc., I see a lot of running in my future!!!
After my two 5 mile runs back to back on Saturday and Sunday, I went
running 6 miles on Wedesday. I have not been able to run 6 miles since
my Marathon in October (when the ITBS problem started)
No pain, not even discomfort, thanks to the pattstrap!
So, let's see... After two months of frustration (runner's hell), after
a visit to the doctor and 3 visits to the Physical Therapist, after
paying these professionals to solve my problem so I'll be able to run
again, it turns out that a simple band (2 for $15) takes care of the
problem and I am up and running again.
This PattStrap must be one of the best-kept secrets in the medical
science!!!
This new experience reconfirms my belief that there are simple
solutions to some painful problems,only the average doctor will not let
you know about them. I am going to make a web page to let the public
know about this. If this simple band worked for me I am sure it will
work for thousands other ITBS sufferers who are now are being sucked
out of their
hard earned money, paying for PT visits, orthotics, expensive shoes,
and are still unable to run.
"The TRUTH is out" I love my PattStrap from http://www.pattstrap.com
and Free Shipping... BONUS!!