Hi Donna,

Someone already mentioned it, but the shooting pain does sound more
like a nerve or compression issue in the back .

If you aren't wearing your orthodics than you probably know what
caused the problem. I have to wear mine constantly, if i don't i'm
in pain.
The book George mentioned is great, you might want to bring it by
your chiro and confirm he doesn't object to any movements the book
suggests. My chiro was all for the book, and it really has helped
my back out a lot, i did however after talking with my chiro not do
a couple of the items, but modified for personalized use.

Ask your chiro, if your being traeated for a SI joint problem as
well, which has to do with your pelvis.
You can always bring it into your chiro office and see what he
thinks. My chiro said, yes, we are working on that issue with
you.
Manual therapy rounds, SI joint problem
http://www.kalindra.com/rounds.pdf

This could be causing some of your problems and making the itband
tight.

The massage therapy will probably help with the pain, as they can
work all the trigger points and muscle knots you have. I've got the
knots too, they suck, the massage therapy helps a lot.

Trying a band similiar to the patt strap, is worth a try especially
since you already own one. I've actually never tried the patt
strap brand, but the chopat and meiller, and mc david brand. Which
brand you like best sometimes has to do with the features of the
different brand, which one fits your knee the best, and doesn't rub
in the wrong place.



> My chiropractor also suggested stretching, so I have begun a
stretching program. However, he wants me to stretch about 4 times a
day. It sort of bothers me that I need to stop what I'm doing and
stretch these muscles. (Just whining here.) I mean, how many
people do we know who have to stop what they're doing and take an IT
band muscle stretch break?

Stretching, yes, i get to do this a lot. Tons more than regular
people. Cool down at the gym, everyone else in the class leaves, i
go stretch more. If i don't i regret it later that night or the
next day.


>
> I don't have a foam roller. I do have a small, hand held
massager, made by Homedics. The rubbery ball thing on the end
vibrates, and I will sometimes rub this up and down the band,
increasing pressure until I really feel it. I'm not exactly sure if
this is helping or not. Do you think it does the same thing as the
foam roller does?
>

Foam rollar is different. As long as you don't have any shoulder
issues, it works great for the itband. You have to support yourself
with your arms, so if you have a bad shoulder, then this isn't the
technique for you.
foam roller guide
http://www.smiweb.org/guides/pdf/roller_guide.pdf

Good Luck,
Connie