Is it definitely your hamstring causing the problem or possibly sciatic nerve problem with referred pain to this area?
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..?
Definitely hamstring.Originally Posted by Gaz
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.
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..!
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