I haven’t read about this one before. Instead I get to experience it first hand. My tensor fasciae Latae muscle has stopped me from running for two months now. The symptoms are pain on my left side just below the hip bone. Xrays showed no fracture or any other problem going on. Therapy seems to be helping, but way too slowly.
I first thought it was an IT band problem showing up in the hip rather than the knee. My hamstring on my left leg is extremely tight, but I think that is more of a reaction to the injury than the cause, but I could be wrong.
Has anyone on this board ever heard of the TFL and know how to fix it? We are in the middle of our three months a year of running weather here in South Florida, and I am on the sideline. It is lovely to go for a ride, but I really want to go for a run.
This site will give you an anatomical description of what you’re dealing with as well as a recommended stretch. You should also be stretching your tight hamstring. http://www.strengthcats.com/SHBknee-pain.htm
From my experience treating these things, they can be SOB’s sometimes. Usually I would use ultra-sound, low volt, laser accupuncture, deep massage, trigger point therapy or any combo of these. I would also check in out pelvic mechanics looking at such things as pelvic unleveling, sacro-iliac function, leg lengths, etc.
Having said that I’ll put in a shameless plug for my own profession of chiropractic and recommend that you find a clued in chiropractor familiar with sports injuries if you find you’re not getting results with the PT.
There is a “new” technique called ART that a number of people on this board swear by after receiving treatments. I haven’t taken the course myself, but you might also give an ART certified chiro or PT a try.
I just reread your post and feel that it may not be TFL/ITB. A number of things can cause or refer pain to the area just below the hip joint. It’s just impossible to give diagnosis over the net.
My recommendation stands however, if you’re not getting results with your current PT then consider getting another opinion.
I use a vareity of torture devices to work the TFL and the associated muscles, The Stick, tennis balls, electric massager. It’s taken ART and trigger point therapy to get at the deeper stuff, but only as needed. Try laying on a tennis size ball in the affected area, if you have adhesions you’ll know it. Try and put as much wieght on the ball and the “spot” as possible. It will be an “oh mama” kind of hurt. Stay on that spot, if you can tune in to what’s going on, after a minute or so you will feel the muscle release. Work all through the hip area and down the lateral quadricep and hamstring…it can take 30 mins. Repeat every day or every other day until you can no longer find any adhesions. You might follow up with ART, deep tissue, trigger point massage.
The symptoms are pain on my left side just below the hip bone.
Hey there. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m going to assume that it’s around your side pocket area (if you’re wearing slacks). Maybe a bit to the front, a bit to the side too.
If it’s TFL, then you can treat with massage to that area. I like to jab the end of a broomstick deep into that area for 1 min. or more, once a day. You can be creative with whatever works. This may also help if your iliopsoas is also outta whack.
The folks at the Julstro.com forums may have more ideas. See what they think about you possibly having a tense quadratus lumborum…
I have been doing the tennis ball gig at night because I get some very minor spasms in the area that are just enough to keep me awake at night. I think I am gong to take the plunge on that pain free triathlete book.
You have the location correct. Broom stick? Be sure you don’t miss. I think I will stick with the tennis ball.