Hamstring Strain Woes? Conquer Your Comeback with Proven Rehab Techniques
Jan 19, 2024 | Uncategorized
If you have recently experienced a sudden, sharp pain in the back of your thigh or felt a tearing sensation, you probably have what The Mayo Clinic defines as a hamstring strain injury, and it’s no laughing matter. Hamstring strain injuries can sideline anyone, from an elite athlete to a weekend warrior.
Dealing with a hamstring strain can be painful and frustrating. As physical therapy experts, the team at Pursuit Physical Therapy sees and treats these injuries on a daily basis. Read on as we share the facts about hamstring strain, how to get back on your feet, and how to prevent future hamstring injuries.
What Is a Hamstring Strain?
Put simply, a hamstring strain results from an injury to the muscle at the back of your thigh. As essential muscles to regular movement like running, walking, and jumping, they assist the body in bending the knee and extending the hip. A painful strain occurs when one of these muscles is overstretched or torn.
What Causes Hamstring Strain Injury?
Common culprits of hamstring strain are not warming up properly before physical activity, overuse, muscle imbalance, and sudden movement. If not adequately rehabilitated, hamstring strains can happen again in the future.
Symptoms of Hamstring Strain Injury
If you feel a sudden, sharp pain at the back of your thigh during physical activity, odds are you have strained your hamstring. Other signs include swelling, muscle weakness, bruising, difficulty bending your knee, or extending the hip.
Types of Hamstring Strain Injury
There are three grades of hamstring strains:
1: Mild – minimal pain and no loss of strength
2: Moderate – more significant pain and some loss of strength
3: Severe – complete tear of the muscle, extreme pain, and loss of function
How Are Hamstring Strain Injuries Treated?
Physical therapy is critical for recovery and future injury prevention. The first steps are to reduce swelling and pain with ice, rest, elevation, and compression. Gradually, tarted stretches for hamstring injury rehabilitation are introduced by your physical therapist, followed by massage, strengthening exercises, and muscle re-education.
Rehabilitation protocols for athletes with hamstring injuries are tailored to their specific needs and sport. As part of your hamstring recovery timeline, you’ll be taken through different stages of recovery rehabilitation, such as isometric exercises, plyometrics, concentric and eccentric strengthening, and sport-specific training.
Preventing Future Hamstring Strain
To reduce the risk of recurrence, your physical therapist will address any flexibility issues or muscle imbalances with exercises targeting the hamstrings, glutes, quads, and abs. You will also be encouraged to warm the muscles adequately before strenuous activity.
Conclusion
Proper rehabilitation incorporating targeted physical therapy for a hamstring strain will significantly improve your recovery. Continued adherence to muscle care and strengthening can help prevent future hamstring injuries.
Need Hamstring Strain Relief? We Can Help!
If you’re struggling with hamstring pain and long for a return to your active life, Pursuit Physical Therapy is here for you. Our highly skilled and compassionate therapists utilize proven techniques to speed your recovery and provide long-lasting results.
Our treatment plans are tailored to your individual needs. After an initial consultation and assessment, we’ll create a treatment program to get you back in action faster than you ever thought possible.
Contact Us
Make your hamstring problems a thing of the past with expert physical therapy. Contact our dedicated team today for more information or to schedule your private assessment. Let’s get you back to the pain-free, active lifestyle you deserve.
