4. Iliotibial Band

Origin: Gluteus maximus, Tensor Fascia Latae, and lateral aspect of the iliac crest

Insertion: Gerdy’s tubercle on the proximal lateral tibia, linea aspera of the femur and to the patella via the lateral patellar retinaculum

Action:

  • Stabilizes the hip and knee

Innervation: not relevant

Iliotibial band
Figure 2.8 Iliotibial band, by fickleandfreckled, CC BY 2.0. Photo cropped.

Needling

Position: Side lying

Palpation: Palpate the gluteus maximus, tensor fascia latae, and vastus lateralis

Technique: Needle into the gluteus maximus (using the ilium or greater trochanter as a backdrop), tensor fascia latae and vastus lateralis

Caution: Moderate – when needling the glute max, ensure to avoid the middle 1/3 of the muscle to avoid the sciatic nerve

Needling vastus lateralis to help address the iliotibial band.
Figure 2.9 Needling vastus lateralis to help address the iliotibial band, original image by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

Video 2.4 Needling of iliotibial band over vastus lateralis, original video by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

License

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Sinew Channel Needling Copyright © 2026 by Nadine Crocker is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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