Re: 'neural' hamstring problem
12 months would seem a long time for a purely muscular problem, unless some other biomechanical/neural factor was involved. A "Neural" problem could be many factors acting on the nerve: Compression, Tension or Irritation. It's common to feel the affects of this elsewhere, e.g. Hamstring, Calf or Tingling toes etc, and not necessarily at the site of the problem. Each will have it's own method of treatment too.
I can't offer any medical advice just some experience. I don't wish to frighten you but as an extreme example my partner had suffered for quite some time with increasing pain/sensations in the lower back, buttock and hamstring on one side. This eventually after two Mountain Marathons and whilst training for a third led to her taking quite some time off work before an MRI scan eventually revealed a colossal disc herniation compressing two thirds of her spinal chord. A week later she was under the knife getting the disc material removed.
I mention this because it took months of seeing doctors/physios before they were sold on the idea that an MRI was necessary. Especially as she was still very active both running and horse riding.
Not all doctors/physios will be as experienced as others when it comes to neural examinations either so getting a second opinion may help or referral to a specialist. You may have to wait a while though.
Best of luck
Jim
Re: 'neural' hamstring problem
Thanks for the info. Hopefully my problem is not quite as serious. I have only a constant niggle where the hamstring attaches to the bone and no sensations etc in the back or elsewhere. It never gets what I would call painful - it just becomes uncomfortable - a bit like the muscle stiffness you get when you have run for several hours. I have actually made an appointment to see Denise Park who writes in the FRA mag but it has been a long 10 month wait! Hopefully she will be able to help sort it out.
Thanks again.
Re: 'neural' hamstring problem
had the same thing myself a couple of years ago and it is a real pain.... the problem is a poxy little muscle in the butt known as the piriformis that over-develops/over tightens and impinges of the sciatic nerve. I had a pretty intensive bout of physio (lots of painful elbow on backside action). Then it was a case of maintenance. First thing to try is stretching the piriformis. See the link below:
http://www.rice.edu/~jenky/sports/piri.2.html
hold the stretch for 20-30 seconds each side and repeat X3 on each side.
The second thing to try is a bit of self-butt massage using a tennis ball.. sounds peverse but does work. Simply sit on a tennis ball and roll around on it.. good luck
Re: 'neural' hamstring problem
I'll certainly give that a go - I'm ready to try anything!
Very much appreciated - thanks.
Re: 'neural' hamstring problem
Mountain man, your problem sounds so like mine, and just as frustrating. I've seen several physios, had x-rays and an MRI scan on my lower back but nothing is showing up the cause of the problem! I'm due to see denise on oct 30th and hoping for a miracle cure! When you say the hamstring attaches to the bone do you mean behind the knee on the inside? My left leg feels like it is in constant delay you want it to step forward and it feels like it is lagging behind:(
Re: 'neural' hamstring problem
My problem is mainly at the top of the hamstring/lower buttock where the muscle attaches to the seat bone. I have done google searches to read up (where I can understand it!) a bit more about the piriformis and that does look like a more likely cause, particularly as initially it was associated with a niggle in the hip as well. Although I had mild sciatic problems and stiffness in the back about 3 years ago I feel my back is as good as it has been for quite a while so I think the origin of the problem is in the muscle area itself and not referred from the back as is often thought.
Being an older (57) distance runner, having read Denise's articles, it looks likely my problem has developed as a result of muscle/posture imbalances over a long period. I did some Pilates last winter and that helped me get going again for a while. Unfortunately the teacher moved the class so I was not able to continue.
I think my strategy for dealing with the problem will now be:
-short term do some of the piriformis exercises until I can see Denise in November to get her opinion
- find a Pilates class and do it long term to mitigate the postural problems I have. Hopefully that will help keep me running freely again for a few more years.
Good luck - I hope you manage to get sorted out soon. Any feedback from seeing Denise would be of interest. Judging by her articles I suspect she will recommend Pilates to both of us as a longer term preventative solution.
Re: 'neural' hamstring problem
Does the tennis ball technique help much with mid-lower hamstring injuries? It ceratainly helps calf knots.
Re: 'neural' hamstring problem
only ever used it for butt issues but I don't see why not... hard foam rollers from physios are great for general leg massage esp. ITB's.
http://www.physiosupplies.com/acatal...m_Rollers.html
