I've had trouble for 2 years, been through physical therapy, quit running, quit exercising altogether for several months, and I still have trouble with my left leg. Sometimes I have nerve trouble in that leg as well. An MRI has ruled out back problems and anything torn (it was a normal MRI).

I'm stumped as to why this is still bothering me and wondering if it's more of an issue in people with autoimmune disease...

i'm sorry...maybe i'm missing it here, but i don't understand what it is you're having trouble with??

I have similar problems as well. Have had them for the last two years. I've seen physical therapists, reflex therapists, chiropractors, foot doctors, knee specialists and my own personal doctor. No one has been able to make a dent in the pain and frustration.

I will say that stretching seems to help temporarily, so my problem could be a matter of poor flexibility.

Do you have pain anywhere, all the time? Even mild numbing pain? Does exercise make the pain worse?

Illotibial band -- right? I've had on-off issues with mine after running, but nothing like what either of you describe. I have a pretty regular yoga practice, however, and I find that -- regardless of whether I stretch after a run or not (I know, bad), I never have IT issues when I've been keeping up with the yoga.

eleep

Yes, Iliotibial band syndrome is what it started out as, but I think it is piriformis syndrome now because of the nerve involvement. It's tough to describe. When it's bad, I get deep pain in left butt and outside of left upper leg. It doesn't make me yell, but I want to quit walking. It's starting affecting my back too, esp. when out walking around and shopping.

When I've exercised, it'll sometimes hurt during (walking, squats) and the nerve trouble comes after. Strange numb feelings in the outside of thigh and sometimes front of shin and bottom of foot. Luckily that doesn't happen too often if I don't do squats, but how else am I supposed to make my legs strong?

Massage has helped me. Also, my physical therapist gave me a styrofoam tube to roll on to massage and release the IT band. Probably a softball or that sort of think would work as well. For my piriformis I sit and rock on a golf ball.

I have a non IT related chronic injury, don't want to jack the thread, but I use a styrofoam tube, too, and it works wonders!

Hope the IT issues clear up.

Heh, love your signature Jestgar!