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I am 6' tall and 160 lbs and have been running seriously for three years, including races of all distances (5K to marathon), and have never had an ITB issue before the one I currentl have. I have a neutral foot and unwisely bought a motion control shoe off the interet after reading reviews and testimonials that the shoe was fine for neutral feet (VERY bad decision on my part). After two 12-milers and a few 5-milers, I began to experience textbook symptons of ITBS. I have now run with my PattStrap for about five 3-mile runs and it is NOT a miracle cure. I am also going to physical therapy and have received their thoughts on this device. In summary, using the PattStrap doesn't hurt, but it certainly isn't a cure. Curing ITBS has more to do with maintaining appropriate posture during a run; strenghtening your hip abductors so that your pelvis doesn't rock to the left and right (which actually causes the IT band to rub across the bone); strengthening your core; and stretching your hamstrings and the IT band itself. To think that a thin, stretchy strap will cure something like this seems a little naive, especially after I found out more about what mechically causes ITBS, but I too wanted a quick fix.
I wear my PattStrap during my runs (under the premise that "it can't hurt") and the benefit--if any--might be more psychological than anything else. I am able to run two miles virtually pain free, but I begin to feel my knee early into the third mile.
Based on the other reviews, some people have obviously had more success with the strap than me, so maybe I am the exception. My opinion for what it is worth: for $19, it is worth a try to see if you are one of the lucky ones.
Rating:  [2 of 5 Stars!] |
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