Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/68008
CONNECTIONS With immobility after injury or surgery, adhesions may form along the anterior or posterior border of the IT band. (remember that the gluteus maximus attaches directly to the IT band). Working with the Iliotibial Band in Side-Lying Position Just softening the tissue will be of substantial benefit, but putting the IT band on as much as a stretch as possible by having the leg extended in the side-lying position will add to the benefit of this work. In addition to stretching in a distal direction with either border with fingers is very effective to allow the band to stretch in a straight line and also to allow the patella to track correctly instead of being pulled too far laterally. CONNECTEDNESS I hope that this first of two articles provides some helpful strategies for working with knee injuries, and more important, stimulates some thought about the interconnectedness and global issues involved in treating not only injuries to the legs, but in treating any other injuries. The forthcoming article in the January/February issue will offer specific tools for returning full range of motion to the knee in extension and in working with joints. who has been practicing and teaching in the San Francisco Bay area and internationally for over more than 20 years. His graduate studies were in exercise physiology at the University of California in Berkeley. He is the author of Deep Tissue Massage: A Visual Guide to Techniques, now in a second edition and translated into five languages, and the seven- volume companion DVD set. Visit his website at www.deeptissuemassagemanual.com. Art Riggs is a certified advanced Rolfer the soft underside of your forearm, grabbing the IT band and rotating it around the leg to free it from deeper adhesions is also very helpful. Compartment Separation With immobility after injury or surgery, adhesions may form along the anterior or posterior border of the IT band. Precise work along NOTE 1. This article uses the more common use of the word leg to refer to the entire lower extremity, as opposed to strict medical terminology where leg specifically refers to the portion of the lower extremity between the knee and ankle. Editor's Note: Massage & Bodywork magazine is dedicated to educating readers within the scope of practice for massage therapy. This feature was written based on author Art Riggs' years of experience and education. It is meant to add to readers' knowledge, not to dictate their treatment protocols. visit massageandbodywork.com to access your digital magazine 61