Knee problem- IT Band?

[danelbe]

i am in the middle of lacrosse season, and have been having pretty bad pains on the side of my knee. the trainer said that it is irritation in my IT band. Sometimes the pain is enough to make it hard to walk, let alone play lacrosse. This is also taking tole on my lifting, i have not been able to do squats or cleans for about two weeks, because it irritates it.

Is my injury caused by lifting? or is it just from running?
in the future, are squats something that can irritate it again?

[trez]

IT band syndrome is an overuse injury most commonly caused by running, however, it can also be caused by weight lifting exercises, primarily squats. Running on an uneven surface or an incline and squatting with incorrect form can cause IT band syndrome.