Hamstring Strain: How to Treat a Pulled Hamstring Injury

We all have a group of three muscles that run along the back of our thighs, which is known as hamstring. A hamstring strain occurs when one or more of these muscles get overloaded. It is a very painful injury where muscles might even start to tear.

In utmost cases, athletes of all sorts are more likely to get a hamstring strain during activities like:

• Running
• Sprinting
• Jumping
• Performing a fast stretching movement

However, a hamstring strain can also affect anyone who:

• Doesn't perform a proper warm up before exercising,

• Has weak glutes. When the glutes are weak, hamstrings can easily become strained.

Also, adolescents going through a growth spurt and dancers are more prone to this injury.

If you feel a sudden and severe pain at the back of your thigh and lower buttock region along with weakness and swelling, seek the help of a doctor. Physical therapists or chiropractors, can diagnose and recommend a treatment plan for your hamstring strain.

Treatments for a Hamstring Strain

Fortunately, minor to moderate hamstring strains usually heal on their own. However, for a severe muscle injury, you need a full treatment and rehabilitation program. This is needed to properly heal the injury, besides preventing it from recurring.

Moreover, you can follow the tips below to speed up the healing:

• The leg should be rested. Keep your leg as immobile as possible and avoid putting weight on it. You may also use crutches if the pain is severe.

• Place a cold pack on your leg to reduce pain and swelling. Continue periodic icing for 20 minutes every three to four hours for at least three days, or until the pain is gone.

• Compress your leg. Use an elastic bandage or a compression stocking around the leg to keep down the swelling. But it shouldn't be too tight.

• Elevate your leg as much as possible. Use as many pillows as needed to keep it elevated, in order to control the swelling and pain.

• During the course of treatment, your doctor/physical therapist will also check for the strength and stability of hamstring muscles. Hence, practice stretching and strengthening exercises if your doctor recommends them. Because strengthening your hamstrings is one way to protect it against hamstring strain.

• Last but not the least, in severe cases, you may need to go for Class IV K-Laser treatment for hamstring injuries. This laser treatment program provides a safe, effective and painless solution for hamstring pain and injuries. Patients not only respond exceptionally well, but also notice significant pain relief after just a few sittings.

You can call us at (714) 639-4640 for a free consultation to decide the best treatment for hamstring strain.

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What You Should Know About a Pulled Hamstring

The word hamstring originated from the old English word 'hamm', which means thigh. It's a collection of three muscles that are present along the rear of your thigh. They help you flex your leg at the knee. A pulled or strained hamstring is a condition in which you experience a sudden, acute pain in the back of your thigh.

Hamstring injuries are very common in sports. A severe hamstring injury may require full medical attention. Most hamstring injuries are effectively treated with simple, nonsurgical treatments while others may need some surgical intervention.

Read on to know about some important facts related to a pulled hamstring or hamstring injury.

There are diverse possible risk factors for hamstring injuries.

• Inadequate warming up and poor stretching
• Muscle weakness or an imbalance in the muscle strength within the hamstring muscles
• Muscle weakness or an imbalance between the hamstrings and quadriceps
• Poor footwear
• Recurrent injury when the muscle hasn't completely healed from previous damage

People who sustain an acute pulled hamstring will experience a few of the following symptoms:

• A sudden, acute pain at the rear of the thigh or buttocks.
• An audible “pop” sound and a feeling of the leg giving way.
• Hampered normal activities like proper walking, rising up from a sitting posture, or descending stairs.
• Initial first few hours swelling after the injury.
• Skin discoloration and bruising at the back side of your leg during the first few days.
• Persisting weakness in your hamstring continuing for weeks.

Risk Factors for a Pulled Hamstring Injury

While nearly anyone can sustain a hamstring injury, certain people are at higher risk than others. The risk factors for a pulled hamstring injury include:

• People who have previously endured a hamstring injury are at the greater danger of future hamstring injuries.
• A weakened or fatigued muscle can also increase the risk of injury.
• A muscle that is less flexible has a bigger chance of injury.
• Properly warmed up muscles are less likely to be injured.
• Dehydration can render a person more prone to cramping and injury.
• Existing lower limb injury can enhance the chances of new injury in the same or opposite limb.

Treatment of a Pulled Hamstring Injury

It depends on the spot and severity of the damage. It can include a non-surgical or a surgical treatment process.

Nonsurgical Treatment

Most hamstring strains heal very well with simple, nonsurgical treatment including:

• Taking rest form strain causing activities
• Applying ice-packs regularly
• Using a compression bandage
• Keeping leg in an elevated position
• Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines.
• Undergoing physical therapy for improving motion flexibility

Surgical Treatment

Surgery is usually performed if your tendon has altogether pulled away from your bone. You may also need surgery to repair an entire tear within the muscle, through reattachment using stitches. You will recover your full function after a hamstring injury, upon completing a rehabilitation plan. Depending on the intensity of injury, the whole rehabilitative process may cover several months.

Best Exercises for Hamstring Strain

Your physical therapy plan will include initial gentle stretches to enhance flexibility and motion range. Strengthening exercises will be added to your plan subsequently by your physical therapist, as a protective measure against hamstring strain.

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