Hamstring

I had what I thought was dodgy hamstring for two years and could never understand why I should have shooting pains in hammy when sitting down, limit my mobility around glutes/hip at times so I moved like a 90 year old gran. Then a comment by someone with sciatica lead me to see a chiropracter. It isn't sciatica, but glutes/lower back muscles causing very similar symptoms. The chiro bloke is brill and despite making no promises of miracle healing, three days after treatment had first pain free, fluid run in 2 years. Treatment has been something called I think graston technique (like sports massage with some some metal tool thinkgs, although that's a veyr simplistic description) and also does all all that adjusting your back stuff and re-aligning things. He also advises that ice the muscles a lot after treatment, and in long run need to strengthen core, bit of stretching and all that good stuff which is just for you generally (if a bit boring).

I'm sure it's not for everyone, but it seems to be working for me and guess that's the main thing.

Hi

Don't know if you can me help or not, I've read and re-read the thread several times now, am I right in saying that the main problem/s was with your hamstrings and lower back/piris? I'm asking because my symptoms sound similar in lots of respects, but my groin is the main culprit really.

It went boing in November, I rested (almost 5 weeks), eased back into it over 3 weeks and then another month later it went again, though not as dramatically.

My GP's referred me to a a physio, gone on the cancellation list but the earlies they can see me is mid March and I'm worried my groin symptoms will have gone.

I'll try the stretches you mentioned and the others too. Any tips on trying to keep up any aerobic fitness as I don't want to go on the rowing machine as I cant help thinking it was instrumental in causing this problem.

My hamstring doesn't feel natural that's for sure and my back pain comes and goes especially after I've been sitting down (awkwardly whilst playing on the floor).

Any tips/help/ideas/more stretches/derby(ish)physio or chiropractors pointers from anybody would be gratefully received.

Thanks
:confused:

Hi

I could definately recommend seeing a chiropracter or something similar if you can get recommendations from other runners ideally. The one thing that has become clear to me is that loads of different back/muscle things give same symptoms, eg I was originally thought to have sciatica and I haven't just old gluteal muscle injury causing very similar symptoms. So would not take something you see me or someone else say and take it as read as you may do more harm than good, but sure you wouldn't anyway. Hope you get sorted!

The chiropracter I see is Phil Baines in York, but sure you can get local recommendations off here or via other routes.

cheers

Just after 1/2 mile of clubs great hill handicap on tues night-felt hamstring go manage to walk back to car. Next morning as well as soreness/pain in middle of hamstring, also very sore on inside of knee and outside of hip joint where muscles attachs:eek: Off to see physio tonight

God, hope its not ITB.:eek:

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Originally Posted by Al Fowler

God, hope its not ITB.:eek:

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Oooooh you are a ray of sunshine in a sh!t laden sky Al:p
Bet PACMAN feels a whole lot better now:rolleyes:

right up into the backside, on right side especially

discomfort sitting down on anything uncushioned, and even a walking stride is inhibited

stretching seems to make no difference

can't get to the physio

heard somewhere that alternate heat and cold is good for this sort of thing - that right?

this has come back really bad

it's just my right side and the morning after I do sprints / faster runs

had to catch the bus into work this morning cos could barely walk never mind jog ...

stretching down after and dynamic stretching before running makes a bit of difference but not much

OK maybe I have a weak hamstring that strains easily, but you'd've thought by now it would have toughened up a bit.

Massage and rest for abit?

I'd say rest and if it doesn't go away you'll need to go see a physio in case you're torn some collagen or something

Is it hamstring, or could your problem be related to piriformis or sciatic nerve?

I would suggest a thorough assessment to truly establish what is going on and hopefully the correct path to correcting your pain.

Good Luck

Gaz

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Originally Posted by Gaz

Is it hamstring, or could your problem be related to piriformis or sciatic nerve?

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Gaz, I don't think it's sciatic cos I do suffer from sciatic pain (on the other side!) and it's different. I did think it might be piriformis as the worst of the tightness and apin is right up in the thigh-meets-butt-cheek area.

thanks all for the advice: rest and physio (as ever!) is the way ... frustrating though innit, just when you're getting back to a good level of fitness

Reading up on this online, 4-6 weeks seems to be given as the recovery time for a grade 2 strain.
There's general agreement on a regime of stretching and icing.
More contentious is the view that says that the sooner you begin light jogging, the better: almost from day one.

Obviously, I prefer the idea of a rehab programme that involves some running. Is this a good idea?
Anyone got advice on nursing hamstrings back to health?

Started getting tightness and pain in my Hamstrings even though im warming up and stretching off. Would a bit of treatment be of benefit and if so which one physio or massage. I cant seem to shift the complaint even though I have rested for the past week. I went out over a week ago and had to finish my run early as my left hamstring was pritty tight and painfull got home put a ice pack on it then heat a couple of days later anti inflammetry pills taken too. Went out for a steady run on thursday and felt ok been out for a walk with the dog today and its come on pritty bad.

massage certainly relieves the pressure on my hamstrings, but he also uses muscle energy techniques. Doesn't get to root cause though which is where a physio would come in.

Hi Dixie

I had hamstring problems last year and it boiled down to the fact that my bum muscles weren't firing up at the right time (a common running problem apparently) so therefore my hamstrings were doing all the work, they became tired and achy very quickly. I told my pilates lady who now makes us do lots of one leg squats and other similar exercises. I don't have half the problems I used to have.

Hope this helps.

Linda

Thanks for the replies all duly noted. Booked mi sen in at the maseur, oh er at the end of this week. Been on the cross trainer and running machine at work yesterday and today and feeling good. After a 30min thrash on the cross trainer yesterday my hamstrings feel a lot better.

Just becareful with your hammies, they can cause all sorts of problems....as I have found out this year!
Tore my hamstring at xmas last year, which caused tendonitis in my knee, then shooting pains down my leg, then a tight piriformis, then bad sciatica, then tight adductors......
General stretching and massage helps.....but seeing as I nearly did it 12 months ago I'm still struggling......

Been out today did 9 ish miles bit of tightness. Off to get it massaged tommorrow.

Well its been a couple weeks or so since deciding to go get mi sen looked at so 150 quid lighter Im felling better. Only done a bit of running so feel well and truly rested but looking forward to getting out. Deciced to get a course of deep sports massage the pain has been worth it so tommorrow its time to get back at it. Nice and steady oh and Ill be able to see too picking my new running glasses up.

I've recently been to see a physio through my GP after spending a fortune on unsuccessful private physio appointments, they all told me I had a hamstring tear and to do lots of stretches. This went on for about 12 months with no real development ad I consistently struggle with my hamstrings but other problems also, all down the same leg. I always felt the problem was rooted in my buttock so went back to the GP and he referred me for (free!) physio. This physio instantly got to the rot of the problem by looking for cause rather than treating symptoms. She advised me that I had piriformis and that it was caused by neurological inflexibility in my back. She told me to be careful when I stretch as it could be aggravating the problem rather tan helping it and suggested some gentle nerve stretches and core and glute strengthening exercises but mainly advised me to do back compressions whenever problems with my hamstring arise when running. Her advice has proved invaluable and is the first person who has been able to suggest anything that has actually improved my symptoms, so I'm hoping that over time my hamstring trouble may subside. I don't know if this helps anyone but I found the info on nerve inflexibility to be exactly suited to my problems. I think a lot more of our leg and foot problems begin in our back than we realise without any direct symptoms.

Hi

my left hamstring is tighter than my right. I don't know how this happened as they used to be pretty equal.

When I perfom a hamstring stretch, placing one leg in front of the other and stretching the back leg, I can tough the floor with my knuckles on the right but struggle to touch the floor with my left.

So far so what, but I am also getting tightness, stiffness and some pain in my lower left back when I run. On long runs this holding me back and spoiling the fun. I'm guessing the two things are connected.

before i go t'physio, any ideas? any particular stretches anyone could recommend?

thanks in advance

I have had a lot of back problems lately and only lately realised the connection with the hamstring, same as you; physio gave me back stretches and a stretch which seems to help: lie on back, cross right knee over left leg (right leg bent), put left hand on right knee and push down - it's a standardish stretch I think, seems to work the glutes (are they yer buttocks??) which are very tight on my left side, but other than those I have been doing common stretches for hamstring flexibility. be careful with your posture. My back 'went' about 5 years ago and since then I have been very wary of any core exercises etc. as they would set off twinges in my back , but actually I think I should have done lots as loss of core flexibility stored up lots of back problems.

Oh and I am trying to swim at least once a week which I think helps a lot.

grouse

I used to swim regular but last year and a half have struggle to make it. Think this hasn't helped.

Your comment about "glutes" made me think. Have googled glute stretches and found this http://www.fitness-training-at-home....stretches.html

Tried the stacked knee stretch and pigeon stretch and found them particularly helpful/effective/sore (all the same eh?)

cheers for reply, I think you may have pointed me in helpful direction

You must be Joe King. I could not get near those stretches.

Iyengar yoga is good for core strength and stretching your body.

We haven't had a hamstring thread for a while.

However, I'm out of action yet again with my fifth injury since May, and the hamstring has been sore for over 3 weeks now.
Reading advice on various sites, I'm struck by how much is conflicting. Some experts advise keeping jogging, whilst others say to avoid running at all costs. Some counsel rigorous stretching regimes, whilst others assert that stretching is of no proven value when it comes to averting injury or rehabilitating hamstrings, but that strengthening them is the key.

Anyone have any thoughts on these issues?

Not aimed specifically at hamstrings, but my understanding is that whilst injured, stretching is pointless and will probably aggravate things. Mild strength work and running is good provided you have no pain, pain = stop. Stretching should be used after the injury has recovered to help avoid repeat injuries in conjunction with more intense strengthening work.

Good luck

Weak muscles tear, torn muscles shorten. Stretch - gently - and strengthen with eccentric exercises - the best way to build strength. Look up the Nordic hamstring exercise.

Is it definitely your hamstring causing the problem or possibly sciatic nerve problem with referred pain to this area?

I tore mine back end of July, shortly after joining a running club! I'm currently up to running about six or seven miles - even slower than before - before it starts to hurt much. Only on trails mind, a bit less on fells due to the rougher nature of the terrain. It's a slow recovery, innit..?

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Originally Posted by Gaz

Is it definitely your hamstring causing the problem or possibly sciatic nerve problem with referred pain to this area?

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Definitely hamstring.

Thanks for the comments everyone.
Sorry to hear about your injury, Plodding Bear.
I think a 'typical' hamstring pull takes 3 wks to 3 months to mend, though I was interested to hear that, with a 'minor' pull, Rooney is expected to be playing again in a week. That's especially surprising to me given that the demands of soccer are much more punishing on a hamstring than my leisurely jogging.

totally agree with rob furness. I'm a hamstring sufferer too and know how frustrating it can be. played football and rugby eventually gravitated to this sport. hamstring problems at various times with all of them.
i can give you my own experience:
even moderate hamstring stretching before a race usually makes it more liable to pull; stretching while in recovery usually inflames the injury;
pulled it a year ago, gave it 6 weeks to recover (mild jogging and uphill) and vowed to only stretch it when healed. hope it's not famous last words but it's been been great ever since. the only exercise i do for it is some evenings to sit on the floor and touch hand to opposite foot.
you may be different but this seems to work for me.

"Don't stretch" is advice that's rarely heard...however, there seems to be an emerging thread of opinion that stretching a recovering hamstring could delay healing. As for not stretching before a race in order to prevent a tear: is that just crazy talk? Or maybe there's a particular risk of over-stretching a hamstring and then racing?

I went to a sports physio after I did it, just to confirm what it was and the best way to tackle it. She did all the massage and ultrasound, but she recommended light stretching after a light warm-up, and general stretching to aid recovery. (As well as heat/ice, massage, and all that)
I always thought getting a massage from a lady called Candice would be an altogether more pleasurable experience..!

Traditional passive stretching before an event has not been shown to be of any benefit - indeed it reduces strength/performance. Dynamic stretches are different, and probably worthwhile. No stretch should be done if it is painful - the exception being eccentric stretching for Achilles tendon problems. Gentle passive stretching after an event/run in the context of recovering from an injury is, I feel, useful, as is resting with the affected muscle in a slightly stretched position - for example for a hamstring lying on the sofa with the affected leg up over the back of the sofa. Eccentric stretches - like the Nordic hamstring exercise - are the best way forward, and have been shown to be of benefit in scientific studies.

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Originally Posted by Mike T

Gentle passive stretching after an event/run in the context of recovering from an injury is, I feel, useful, as is resting with the affected muscle in a slightly stretched position - for example for a hamstring lying on the sofa with the affected leg up over the back of the sofa.

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Don't forget to turn the television upside down first and get a straw to put in the beer!

Tried to make me go to rehab, I said "Yes! Yes! Yes!"

Tried a run on the moors today - worst run I've had for ages! my hamstring hurt, I struggled with the uneven nature of the ground due to not running on rough stuff for a while (presumably!) and it was hot. Even now, my hamstring aches a bit.
Getting a bit fed up with it now, to be honest. It's been nearly over two months. I'll have to try that nordic exercise thingy. Get my fat labrador to sit on my feet..!