IT Band and The Stick – More Good Information!

I just found another great blog article on how to take care of your IT Band issues!

It is called “Every runners nemesis: ITB Syndrome” – by Dr. Bobbie Bennett

Dr. Bennet writes about self-treatment and also Active Release Technique.

Popular Downloaded Specific Techniques for “The Stick”.

I often look at some simple stats from my website to see what people are most interested in when it comes to The Stick.

In terms of possible usages for The Stick, or what I like to call “Specific Techniques”, people are most interested in finding ways to work on the following muscle groups: (the data below is up to date as of August 23, 2009)

Lower Body Downloads:

Growing Pains

Downloads: 64

Feet & Plantar Fasciitis

Downloads: 77

Shins

Downloads: 59

Calves

Downloads: 74

Quads/Thighs

Downloads: 83

Hamstrings

Downloads: 71

IT Band

Downloads: 114

Buttocks

Downloads: 69

Upper Body Downloads

Neck

Downloads: 37

Arms

Downloads: 38

Shoulders

Downloads: 54

Upper Back

Downloads: 51

Lower Back                                                                                               Downloads:53

This data suggests a number of things:

1. People are looking for ways to take care of their lower bodies.
2. People don’t know that The Stick can be used for their upper bodies.
3. IT Band Syndrome bothers many people.
4. Quad and thigh muscles are popular downloads as well.
5. The lower back seems to be an area of concern.

These are only suggestions from people who have downloaded free resources from my website.  Please feel free to comment on this post or any other!

A Routine to Massage Your Legs With “The Stick”.

Here is a video I recorded on how to massage your legs using The Stick.   I am using the Travel Stick while I roll out my legs.  The Travel Stick has a standard flexibility and is short, making it ideal for travel.

The Travel Stick

The different models of Sticks can be found here. 

 

An Article About Knee Pain

Knee pain can be debilitating for anyone, never mind athletes!

Getting the correct diagnosis can help you reach recovery faster.  I recommend seeing a number of people or experts.  A second opinion is always great just to confirm what you may already know or what someone suspects may be the problem.  Always take the opinion of an expert/professional!!

Once you have been diagnosed (by a professional) you can start on your rehabilitation.  I have included a great article I found about treating knee pain through resistance training exercises.  The title is:

A Strength Coach’s Guide to Dealing with Pain: Part 2, Knee Pain

By Andrew Paul

Basically, Mr. Paul provides advice and exercises on the following topics:

1. Pain is right down the middle of the patella
2. Pain is on the upper, medial portion of the patella
3. Nagging pain on the lateral side of the knee

I think he does a wonderful job explaining and illustrating strengthening exercises.  To see the whole article click – HERE -

 

So how does The Stick relate to this article?  Massage sticks are mentioned in one of the opening paragraphs as a means to loosen up the quadriceps to help prevent knee pain.  Mr. Paul also writes about trigger points, knots, and managing soft tissue.  In addition, he mentions the TFL and IT band.

 

Another Video About “The Stick”

Here is a video about hoe The Stick can be especially useful for golfers.

Note:  The picture you see is only a graphic of the screen shot of the video.  Please click the video or hit the link under the video to view the clip.

http://www.coreperformance.com/video/Movement_Massage_Stick_Self_Massage_-_Golf.html

Another Video About “The Stick”

OK, it is officially video post days here at Zealous Vitality!  I will be posting more videos every couple of days. 

Here is one from the World Run Day On-line Expo.  This video has 1751 views on YouTube.

IT Band Syndrome

I have noticed an interesting statistic.

It turns out that many people who visit my website – Zealous Vitality Inc. Featuring: THE STICK  are downloading my IT Band Specific Technique PDF file.  This tells me, there are many people out there who suffer from Iliotibial Band Sydrome (ITBS).

I know The Stick can help!  How do I know?  The answer is……… because The Stick offers deep penetrating massage!!!  There are articles, upon articles that agree and disagree with each other on how to treat ITBS.  The bottom line is they all agree that massage therapy works!

To save you time, here are a few resources:

• ITBS Help Site – Very informative!!!
• Iliotibial Band Syndrome - About.com – Orthopedic Review
• eMecine Article – An excellent research based website.
• SaveYourself.ca – An amazing website written by a Canadian!!!

The Stick is a perfect tool to help with ITBS.  When I help people decide what Stick is best for them, I always ask them if they have IT Band problems.  If so, I recommend a stiffer model like The Sprinter Stick so that they can massage their IT Bands anytime, anyplace!!

The Sprinter Stick

IT Band and The Stick – More Good Information!

How to Use The Stick!

 

Hello,

Here are a few introductory pictures an how to use The Stick .

Rolling your quads while sitting on the ground.

Here is kneeling position to roll out your IT Band.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To see more pictures, click here.

The master plan is to post video, pictures and tips on how to use The Stick.

Please contact me @ ken@zealousvitality.ca

Keep your muscles happy by rolling them!!!