https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6v6McHqoV08

What this gorgeous fall weather people are putting in their last long runs and marathons before packing their shoes for the winter month. As a result I seen a few more cases of lateral knee pain that are iliotibial band related among our runners and avid walkers. Iliotibial band overload is usually associated with some faulty mechanics in the pelvis and lower extremity as well is some muscular imbalances, so those obviously need to be addressed as the root cause. However once that's all said and done, you still often have to deal with the residual problem of the adhesions between the lateral quad and the distal iliotibial band tendon. One of the most effective ways to do so is using cupping. It has to be done multiple times other two or three day interval for maximal results, so I usually will teach the patient how to do it on themselves. The cupping will allow for the separation of the overlying flat tendinous band from the underlying quads during active flexion and extension range of motion of the quad. It's quite gentle and effective, without the pitfalls of some of the micro bruising and tenderness associated with deep tissue work which is best suited for less superficial structures.