IT band syndrome – Can Ayurveda help with knee and hip pain? - #16800

For the past few months, I’ve been experiencing pain on the outside of my knee, especially after running or walking long distances. At first, I thought it was just regular soreness from exercising too much, but the pain has been getting worse, and it now extends up to my hip. I did some research and found that this could be IT band syndrome, which happens when the iliotibial band gets too tight and starts rubbing against the knee joint. I visited a physiotherapist, and they told me to do stretching and foam rolling, but it’s not really giving me long-term relief. They also mentioned that some people need steroid injections or even surgery if it gets too severe. I don’t want to go down that path, so I started looking into Ayurveda to see if there are natural treatments for IT band syndrome. From what I understand, IT band syndrome might be related to Vata imbalance since Vata governs movement and the joints. Could excess dryness and stiffness in my body be making this condition worse? If that’s the case, are there Ayurvedic oils or massages that can help loosen the tightness and relieve pain? I’ve heard of Mahanarayan oil and Ashwagandha oil—do they work for muscle and ligament pain? Also, does Ayurveda recommend any specific dietary changes to improve flexibility and reduce inflammation? Are there certain foods or herbal supplements that help with muscle and tendon health? Lastly, does Ayurveda have any specific yoga poses or exercises that can strengthen the IT band and prevent further injury? I want to heal this naturally and prevent it from becoming a chronic issue. If anyone has used Ayurveda for IT band syndrome, I’d love to hear what worked!