Hamstring - referred pain

Has anybody experienced a hamstring problem where the discomfort mirrors a hamstring strain but the source of the problem is in the lower back - presumably from a disk irritating a nerve. If so what did you do and how long did it take to recover.

I've been troubled with a problem for 18 months on and off. The problem seemed to be muscular as there has been no sciatic symtoms like tingling just a vague ache in the lower back. At times the hamstring would tighten up after about an hour. That has improved I can keep running but only at a steady pace and it feels really weak going up steep hills. Massage has failed to locate any muscular problem and strengthening exercises have had no impact. By the process of elimination I have concluded the problem stems from the back so I'm focusing on stretching the back with sciatica type exercises. I'm also contemplating a scan to see if it shows any disk compression problems.

Any feedback wold be appreciated. Thanks

Hi Tony. Had a similar thing a couple of years ago and couldn't lift my left leg at all (i.e. raise my heel behind me by contracting hamstrings). Eventually went to see a chiropractor who massaged and manipulated the muscles in the lower back. Sorted it after 3 or 4 sessions. Hope that helps. Chris

This is so familiar, currently spending a fortune with the physio, haven't ran for ages, lots of stretching exercises in the back and piriformis etc, but little improvement so far.

Apparently mine is damage to the piriformis muscle which is irritating the sciatic nerve and feels like a tight hamstring, anti inflammatories, ice etc have been recommended

Thanks Chris and UATB that's reassuring. Hopefully I'm on the right track now to getting it sorted.

I get this sometimes: after seeing a good physio, what works for me is massage on piriformis and lower back and stretching the back and piriformis. Stretches: (1) A good one for the back is just lying on your back and rolling up into a ball, hugging your shins. (2) For periforms I go on all fours, plant right hand 12 inches further to right, cross right ankle so it rests on left ankle, then push hips sideways to right, and then down towards feet, and reverse. E.g. 10-15 slow firm movements. Then do all the above on the opposite side. (3) For mobilising it all, I do the usual lying on back with arms spread, knees in air and shins at right angles and gently roll legs to floor on one side then the other (not too aggressively).
NB - If you've got it bad I find it will take a few days at least for the nerves to calm themselves down. It seems to be a good idea to avoid hamstring stretches while it is settling down.

Thanks for the ideas Ricc - I'll give them a try as well.