Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1492048
L i s te n to T h e A B M P Po d c a s t a t a b m p.co m /p o d c a s t s o r w h e reve r yo u a cce s s yo u r favo r i te p o d c a s t s 69 Notes 1. James Earls, Born to Walk: Myofascial Effi ciency and the Body in Movement, 2nd ed. (Berkeley: North Atlantic Books, 2020). 2. A. Stecco et al., "The Anatomical and Functional Relation Between Gluteus Maximus and Fascia Lata," Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 17, no. 4 (2013): 512–17; an estimated 70 percent of the gluteus maximus's distal fi bers insert directly into the lateral fascia lata. The tensor fascia lata is fully embedded within the fascia, with its job—tensioning the fascia lata—conveniently described in its name. 3. A. Stecco et al., "Pectoral and Femoral Fasciae: Common Aspects and Regional Specializations," Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy 31, no. 1 (2009): 35–42. 4. L. A. Goh et al., "Iliotibial Band Thickness: Sonographic Measurements in Asymptomatic Volunteers," Journal of Clinical Ultrasound 31, no. 5 (2003): 239–44. 5. A. Stecco et al., "The Anatomical and Functional Relation Between Gluteus Maximus and Fascia Lata." Rachelle Clauson and Nicole Trombley, massage therapists, authors, teachers, and co-directors of AnatomySCAPES, lead you beneath the surface in their highly interactive Dissection Lab Workshops in San Diego, California, and online mini courses for hands-on professionals. They help you discover what real anatomy looks like, feels like, how it moves, and how it relates to its surroundings. Join them in San Diego for an upcoming two-day immersive workshop, "Journey into the Matrix," March 8–9, 2023, or May 3–4, 2023, where they will take you on a deep dive into the human fascial system. Find out more at anatomyscapes.com/matrix. trochanter, and along the path of the gluteus maximus and TFL insertions until you reach the lateral condyle of the tibia near the knee. You won't feel any edges of the IT band, but you will likely feel an increased density or toughness of the deep fascia compared to the rest of the thigh. Moving slightly posteriorly along this same path, you also may notice a depression between the vastus lateralis and the biceps femoris longus. Often mistaken for the posterior edge of the IT band, in reality this groove is where the fascia lata's lateral septum dives down to the linea aspera of the femur. Softly sinking your finger pads into this depression, you can palpate the fascia lata three dimensionally as it separates the anterior and posterior compartments of the thigh. Grasp and gently lift the vastus lateralis anteriorly (and the fascia lata along with it!) for a different approach to palpating and stretching the IT band. Visualize the fascia lata wrapping around the quadriceps and see if you can perceive any gliding between them. The vastus lateralis should be able to glide freely in relationship to the IT band. However, if the thin layer of loose connective tissue between the muscle and the deep fascia becomes less f luid due to overuse, underuse, inf lammation, or age, that movement could be impeded and cause pain. WHY WE CARE Many of our clients arrive in our treatment rooms with IT band pain or even a diagnosis of IT band syndrome with pain at the lateral knee. Others have been told they have a tight IT band and they need to stretch or roll it out. As our anatomical understanding of the IT band becomes more informed, we better understand its relationships to muscles, other fascial structures, and bone. Our improved three-dimensional understanding translates to our touch by helping us perceive the tissues with more detail, which helps us refine our techniques and become more effective therapists. Let's Explore Check out the authors' additional resources at abmp.com/anatomy. VIDEO: "IT BAND" 1. Open your camera 2. Scan the code 3. Tap on notification 4. Watch! ANATOMY FOR TOUCH