recurring hamstring strain

Left hamstrings seem to be a problem!

I did mine in playing rugby, thought it would need a couple of weeks rehab and ended up being out for 3 months. In my experience hamstring is worse than a break.

I pulled it again during first flat out sprint and then went for physio/acupunctue and ultrasound. This did not help - I could run up to 90% speed Ok but could not sprint.

Eventually fixed myself by doing 4-600 m 80% effort runs with full recovery in between and loads of hamstring stretch (lie on back, pull knee towards chest then straighten leg and hold for 30 secs). after one month was able to sprint, but still get the odd twinge in there.

ive torn my right hamstring in august 2003, i found that regular swimming and gentle stretching helped, i was back to sprinting by mid october.

i still get some pain everynow and then but its usually because the muscle isnt warmed up properly, stretching the muscle and massage usually helps this

thanks for the feedback guys! im cycling every morning to get some motion back and might throw in some hindu squats which are pain free.

When a muscle is injured the muscle fibres contract and as healing takes place the muscle will remain short unless it is properly stretched and these stretches need to be continued for at least 3 months (when the scar tissue is fully mature)

The usual stretches do not lengthen the muscle for many minutes, so PNF or Janda type stretches are more effective, and must be done 2 or 3 times a day for at least 3 months otherwise..."once a hamstring, always a hamstring". Above all the PNF stretches should always be done before exercise (after warming up) to lengthen the muscle for the workout as much as possible....also last thing at night, as the hamstring can shorten while sitting during the evening and may then remain short all night when asleep with bent legs.

PNF stretches make use of the fact that an 'exhausted' muscle is easier to stretch....so....
Gently stretch the hamstring in the usual fashion...then press down as hard as you can with the heel , tightening the hamstring, counting for 6 secs ( 6 elephants!) Then relax the muscle without changing its position and gently stretch a bit more...hold for a few seconds then press down hard again for 6 elephants, relax and then stretch some more...this can be repeated until no further stretch is obtained, and should be done both with the knee straight and then also with the slightly flexed knee.

I have injuried my hamstrings November 2003 (both of them) during my Taekwon-Do training :shock: . I visited the physio and been receving treatments (e.g. massage, some recommended stretching exercises) regularly since i did it. They are getting better now but i still cannot go back to training yet as i still feel that they are "burning" from time to time, especially my right leg. The physio said my legs have developed something called "scar tissues" (not sure is it the term of it??, but something like that)

I just wonder has anyone got any idea can help me to recover from this???

Thanks a lot. :shock:

Often overlooked in hamstring strains is the adductor magnus. Get some trigger point release done on this muscle by a good massage therapist - you'll be surprised and RELIEVED.....(AND you may never have another recurring problem in this area)
Good luck.
Tracy

Your "burning" sensation is worth investigating. . . I've had two runners this year that complained of recurrent hamstring strains, with a burning sensation, which after a thorough evaluation, the sensation ended up being referred from their lumbar spine. Once that was addressed they were able to return to running w/out any problems. That being cleared, deep tissue mobilization and myofascial release, should help, as well as, addressing any kinetic chain dysfunctions. Good luck.

Sean

Thanks a lot for the advices, however i am not quite sure about what are deep tissue mobilisation and myofascial release. It will be much appreciated if you could explain a bit more details and what can i do regarding to these (deep tissue mobilisation and myofascial release).

Thanks a lot and kind regards

Andy