Course Overview

Lateral Knee Pain: Ilio-Tibial Band Syndrome

Ilio-tibial band syndrome is the most common cause of lateral knee pain, and involves pain in the lateral knee and thigh. It is a sports injury that every acupuncturist should become proficient in treating, as it is common, and responds well to acupuncture treatment. Tight ilio-tibial bands can be seen in the non-athletic population, and they respond well to the techniques discussed in this webinar.

The injury is at the level of the muscles and tendons, with qi and blood stagnation in the channels and collaterals. This case is clearly Gall Bladder meridian pathology. Sometimes the diagnosis of wind (feng) may be used for the “popping” and “snapping” pain at the lateral knee. Local points including Gall Bladder 34, Gall Bladder 33, and Gall Bladder 31 often work well, especially when combined with distal points. However, treatment of the gluteus medius muscle is essential. This may be one of the most effective and reliable treatment protocols, according to the clinical experience of webinar instructor Whitfield Reaves. The location of the extraordinary point Jiankua will be described, which the practitioner will find extremely useful in this condition, as well as other hip and gluteal conditions.

This series was introduced in 2011, and is based upon single individual sports injuries. Each course provides simple and direct video for first time viewing as well as to increase precision through repetition. Even if you have taken the newer series, Mastering the Treatment of Injury and Pain, this old series is still an excellent resource for review and is filled with clinical gems.

Course Objectives

• To use palpation in order to diagnose involvement of the distal ilio-tibial band.
• To use palpation in order to diagnose involvement of the gluteus medius.
• To know two non-local treatments that may be used in the treatment of the condition.
• To be able to describe needle technique on the local zone of the distal ilio-tibial band and point Gall Bladder 33.
• To be able to describe needle technique at the site of the gluteus medius and point Jiankua.

Course Outline

0 hrs - 15 minReview anatomy of knee.

15 min - 30 minClinical assessment of pathology of the knee.

30 min - 45 minDemonstration of assessment techniques.

45 min - 1 hrsDemonstration of needling techniques.