The hamstrings are often neglected by many. Hamstring injuries are commonly seen in the PT clinic. The most common injury that we see in the hamstrings is hamstring strains. The hamstrings are a large group of muscles that sits on the back of your thigh. They help extend your hip and bend your knee. They are made up of 3 muscles:
- The semitendinosus
- The semimembranosus
- Biceps femoris
A strain happens when there is a tear in the muscle. The tear can vary in size and severity depending on how bad the injury is.
How do hamstring strains happen?
- Muscle fatigue or muscle weakness
- Increased muscle tightness
- Poor warm up prior to activities such as; running, sports, or walking
What are the symptoms of a hamstring strain?
- Pain in the area of the tear
- Bruising or swelling
- Loss of motion or increased stiffness in the hamstrings
- Weakness in the hamstrings
- Difficulty walking or putting weight on the affected leg
What to do if you have a hamstring strain?
It is important not to neglect a hamstring strain. If neglected, there is the risk that the strain could get worse or heal incorrectly leaving you with bigger problems than before the injury happened.
Physical therapy is a great resource to help you recover from a hamstring strain no matter how severe. Don’t let this pain stop you from doing what you love! Seek help TODAY!
PT will help you:
- Manage your pain
- Improve your motion
- Improve your strength
- Educate you to help you prevent a hamstring strain from happening again in the future.
