Running No-Nos.

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Unfortunately I can speak from experience here.

There are two schools of thought...

The more generally accepted one is...
ITB is caused by weak abductors, specifically weak Glute Med. We get this from our sedentary lifestyle, sitting on our ass all day.
There is a specific ITB strengthening exercise; I can get the link if you want it. Other exercises are clam lifts and medial and posterior abduction lifts all to strengthen the abductors.

Other causes can be over pronantion of the foot, it does pay to see a sports podiatrist preferably one that works hand-in-hand closely with other sports specialists.

The reason is you have to always watch for specialist syndrome, where every single problem he sees is because of the foot also they all want to sell you orthotics. Go to one recommended by your sports specialist.

My opinon is issues tend to start at the top of the chain (i.e. hips) causing issues further down the chain. But I'm no Dr.

Regarding training back-up, this is the process I'm currently in. Take it easy, no more then 10% increase per week if you can help it. You'll be recovering from Atrophy Syndrome, stay in touch with a GOOD sports physio, preferably getting him to monitor you every 2 weeks or so. YOu may also find that your gait is a mess, be prepared to rebuild it.

Lastly there is always the possibility that you have permenatly damaged the Bursa between the knee and the distal ITB, and this is where surgery comes in.

Word to the wise, I probably wasted 24 months getting jerked around by Med Pros who weren't willing to say "Hey go see this guy he's a specialist" and instead continually gave incorrect disgnosis and then incorrect prescriptions. This was my first time every really working with Doctors on an issue apart from flu and infections, so I didn't really learn go stright to the ultra-special, specialist and skip all the guys who think they know.

I don't know if your seeing a Dr right now, but alwasy see a Sports Dr, not a surgeon straight away (they tend to just want to cut stuff out) who works closely with Physios. ITB has to be a Dr, Physio solution if you ask me.

HTH any questions.

Sean